We Can’t Do It Alone
Srila Prabhupada said that he could not have spread the Krsna consciousness movement alone. “Nobody should think that ‘I have got so great ability. I can do.’ No. It is simply by cooperation we can do very big thing. ‘United we stand; divided we fall.’ We must be combined together. Sankirtana. Sankirtana means many men combined together chanting.”
PRABHUPADA NEVER TAUGHT “RUGGED INDIVIDULALISM,” TO DO IT ALL ALONE.
For many of us, working cooperatively with others is sometimes challenging – and even painful, especially when we are called to work with those that are either culturally different or who don’t share our views. Yet because cooperation is fundamental to our own spiritual advancement as well as spreading Krsna consciousness, Prabhupada continuously stressed its importance. Why?
Unity is Essential
After the demise of his spiritual master, the mission of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta (the Gaudiya Math) fragmented into various factions. As it fragmented it lost much of its power and efficacy. Therefore Srila Prabhupada was overly concerned that our movement would not fragment into different factions. He knew that to successfully spread a worldwide movement, unity was essential.
PRABHUPADA SAID THAT NO OUTSIDE FORCE COULD STOP THIS MOVEMENT. IT COULD ONLY BE STOPPED FROM WITHIN.
In a letter to one leader he wrote, “Let us try to work cooperatively, otherwise the fighting spirit will ruin our great movement.”
Victimized by Kali
I believe cooperation is one of the biggest challenges we face. How we meet this challenge will likely determine our future more than anything else. A devotee recently told me that his temple leaders know exactly what they need to do to take their temple to the next level, but they can’t cooperate enough to make it happen. It is incumbent upon us to make every effort to do what is necessary to cooperate, even though sometimes seems almost impossible.
Kali means quarrel. Prabhupada would sometimes use the expression “victimized by kali” whenever he found his disciples under the influence of kaliyuga’s power. Kali will do his best to cause quarrel and dissension among us. Therefore we need to make a conscious effort to avoid this.
Our Duty is to Work Cooperatively
“The test of our actual dedication and sincerity to serve the Spiritual Master will be in this mutual cooperative spirit to push on this Movement and not make factions and deviate.”
Srila Prabhupada continues, “The whole world is going to hell and everyone is suffering. In light of this, how can we argue amongst one another and neglect our responsibility for reclaiming these fallen souls for going Back to Home, Back to Godhead.”
On the material platform we may not want to cooperate unless another person is also willing to compromise. The spiritual platform is different.
Umapati Swami writes, “Srila Prabhupada once told me that if I did not like what the others were doing, then I should set the example. And he once chastised me to dust for simply criticizing and not pushing forward ISKCON.”
SRILA PRABHUPADA DID NOT TOLERATE BLAMING AND CRITICISM BECAUSE THESE ARE THE GREAT ENEIMIES OF COOPERATION.
Communication and Relationship Survival Skills Check List
To work cooperatively requires that you:
¨ Make compromises
¨ Endeavor to see other’s points of view
¨ Give up the need to be right
¨ Listen empathetically to others
¨ Work on changing yourself rather than changing others
¨ Focus on what’s already working in a relationship. Find what you already agree on
¨ Be aware of the assumptions you make about others (they are often false)
¨ Be willing and ready to resolve conflict
¨ See the good in the ones you have difficulty working with or disagree with. Praise them for their good qualities.
¨ Not defend yourself when feedback is given to you, or even when others complain about something you did or said. Accept it gracefully and appreciatively.
¨ Give feedback with a heart to help, not out of vengeance or feelings of superiority.
Prabhupada sums this all up in one sentence. “The reason why there is difficulty and competitive spirit is that everyone wants to be supreme.” Remember, in every bad relationship you ever had, you were there!
Exercise
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, grade yourself on how well you:
1. Make compromises
2. Endeavor to see other’s points of view
3. Are detached from being right (needing to be right and the other person wrong)
4. Listen when others speak (reflect back their words and feelings, or even just listen carefully, understanding and remembering what they just told you)
5. Work on changing yourself rather than changing others
6. Focus on what’s already working in a relationship. Find what you already agree on
7. Look at the assumptions you make to determine if they are actually true. Notice if you alter your behaviour with certain people because of the assumptions you make about them.
8. Are you willing and ready to resolve conflict. Do you look for common ground for cooperation?
9. See the good in those you have difficulty working with or with those you disagree with. Do you praise them?
10. Do not defend yourself when feedback is given to you, or even when others complain about something you did or said.
11. Accept feedback and complaints gracefully and appreciatively.
12. Give feedback with a heart to help, not out of vengeance or feelings of superiority.
Once you rate yourself, work on the areas in which you need improvement. The higher you raise your scores, the better you will be able to work with and get along with others and the better your relationships will be.