Whats the origin of: "With an instruction comes the ability to carry out that instruction."
Social · asked by user [] · 2009-09-09 · 4 answers
What the origin of it and whats the logic behind it?
The last time I heard this used was one morning I saw a newly intiated devotee reading a verse in the 11 Canto. I asked what he was reading and he told me that the TP had asked him to give class, and the verse for the class was in the 11 Canto. He told me he hadnt read the 11 Canto so I asked him if he thought it proper that he sit on the vyasasana and give a lecture on that verse. He shrugged and said, "The TP gave me the order, so I will also get the ability." At the time it struck me as a strange response in that it shifts the responsibilty to the TPs instruction and away from himself. I simply replied, I dont think thats how it works, its not that simple, and left it at that. I saw the same argument again in a recent Dandavats.org editorial, and the underlying assumption seems to be that, "Because we were told to do something, we can do it." I just dont get it.
Comments?
The last time I heard this used was one morning I saw a newly intiated devotee reading a verse in the 11 Canto. I asked what he was reading and he told me that the TP had asked him to give class, and the verse for the class was in the 11 Canto. He told me he hadnt read the 11 Canto so I asked him if he thought it proper that he sit on the vyasasana and give a lecture on that verse. He shrugged and said, "The TP gave me the order, so I will also get the ability." At the time it struck me as a strange response in that it shifts the responsibilty to the TPs instruction and away from himself. I simply replied, I dont think thats how it works, its not that simple, and left it at that. I saw the same argument again in a recent Dandavats.org editorial, and the underlying assumption seems to be that, "Because we were told to do something, we can do it." I just dont get it.
Comments?
user [38] · 2009-09-16
I cant think of any refs. It seems to me this is an extrapolation from the idea that guru never gives a disciple an order beyond his ability.user [154] · 2009-09-16
"guru never gives a disciple an order beyond his ability" - is also without references or sources, but I have heard it from quite a few disciples and servants of Prabhupada.user [154] · 2009-09-17
So when I was seventy years old I decided,[b] "Now I must do and execute the order of my Guru Mah'e4r'e4ja. And thus this movement was started in 1965 from New York. And I was not very much hopeful because it is very difficult task, just opposite the European and Western culture. I came... When I first came, I had no money. So I got a free passage through some Indian steam navigation company. So I came by ship. So when I was on the ship at Boston port, Commonwealth port, I was thinking that "I have come here. I do not know what is the purpose because how the people will accept this movement? They are differently educated, and as soon as I will say, So, my dear sir, you have to give up meat-eating and illicit sex and no intoxication and gambling, they will say, Please go home. " :-)user [459] · 2009-10-30
This is from an era when you became empowered merely by the desire of the superior servant.Myself i have literally heard it if not fifty times possibly one hundred times at least....This is a sankirtan devotees mood hence temple devotees will struggle possibly to appreciate its true sentiments and applications.As a young devotee faced by having to embark on my preaching service ,usually in the back of a vehicle i would be a little fearful and hesitant to say the least.Usually we were dropped off and picked up again latter so approaching the older devotee for comfit and reassurance he would preach this .
With the order comes the ability to perform the service......in other words the Super-soul will indeed carry what we lack ,maintain what we have and inspire us within .....to receive the god-given mercy as to exactly how this will infact be achieved ...the successful preaching being the goal .
In this case collecting laxmi in exchange for books or paraphenalia.
.We had to in essence come to a position in which we were inclined to beg from the supreme lord constantly for his sublime mercy for the non- devotees and for the opportunity to please the guru and the supreme lord himself.....
Personally, today in my humble service, internal absorption.....we were after a personal relationship....Gloriously i was loyal to my superiors and i felt their blessing regularly over time as a result...
.With the order ,the ability also appeared when the proper attitude was applied....that is in a humble mood to please srila Prabhupada and your guru by this service.The super soul will reciprocate with us personally and many times show us through a more sincere devotee how to be creative when needed..Many times you just blindly followed and the intelligence was self manifesting from within....Exactly how you would achieve your intended gaol became a very personal flavour between krishna and yourself.He would personally train us ....which made us ecstatic became of the constant endeavour ,internal mood of prayer and single pointed sincerity....hare krishna.