If one of the primary goals of the Krsna Consciousness movement is to turn Atheists into Theists, then there are such wonderful ways of taking Srila Prabuphada's mission much further.
He knew the value of graphic imagery and easy language without distorting fundamental meaning. That is great, honest advertising.
The majority of the world is suffering from the rigid material energy of Kali Yuga and we all know this, but what is perpetrating this disease at the moment? The media is a huge culprit, even though they don't even know it. I play in a few bands and we have been interviewed a few times. I have been "innocently" misquoted so many times and this misquotation distorts the basic message of what I'm saying.
This is so indicative of the much larger example of people reinterpreting the Bhagavad-Gita to suit Mayavadi ideals. If only one could present the fundamental message of the Bhagavad-Gita to the largest possible audience in a manner that impresses them without cutting short on meaning, then you will create even more Krsna worshipping humans.
Take for example the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". That was a clever marketing scheme that aimed at selling toys. Look at some of the latest films such as "300". The technology is there to simulate any concept - concepts such as reincarnation, transcendental adventures, the Supersoul, mystic emanations. If Krsna consciousness can be intelligently presented as something that is relevant to reality (and beyond) combined with a marketing effort to sell deities with instructions how to use them, then you will see people taking to this consciousness. But this has to be done very well and the implications of it must be cosmic, not historical.
All one needs is a budget of at least 50 million dollars to create a mass phenomenon. If people can see that God is actually the "coolest" and most amazing person and not some authoritarian headmaster, they might take a bit more interest in the subject matter. I'm talking about "cool" in the original sense, not in terms of adjusting his personality to current trends. Cool in terms of his actual attractiveness.
If Srila Prabuphada's goal was to spread KC all over the world, then there must be more "Apologetics" that can explain the ideas to people on the outside. As he said "One must become an expert snake charmer". Most people I speak to still see it as a strange 60's cult. That is their ignorance of Vedic civilization, but what can be done?
Sun Signs
How the sun is aspected in ones chart can determine success or failure in manifesting something in the world.
Srila Prabuphada was a brilliant leader and understood marketing very well, he had already manifested business management success prior to taking Sannyasa and entering full spiritual life. -- Then he became the CEO of a hot start up that went big quick!
"All one needs is a budget of at least 50 million dollars to create a mass phenomenon." - I don't know what iskcon would do with an extra 50 mill right now, there are many irons on the fire, maybe build the Vedic Planetarium.
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That's funny about the mutant ninjas - that was a huge marketing propaganda success, those guys started right here in Northampton Ma. I dont know where they are today, but just the fall out from that whole thing made millions for numerous people in the area.-
Speaking of bands and Ninja Turtles-
Years ago I was in a Band with Mike Mushok (current guitar player with Staind). Mike was a Tony MacAlpine protégée, they were good friends at the time, Tony was a good self promoter (the MacAlpine family were good friends with the Fredricks Family/Henery Fredericks) and Mike was inspired by that and became a good self promoter of himself, which is what was behind the eventual signing of the group Staind by attracting the attention of Fred Durst - so Staind goes platinum, and they finally make their way back to the area and buy properties and things, so Aaron Lewis (Staind front man) buys the former Mutant Ninja guys house in Worthington Ma. (top of Worthington mountain of course)
and the bands go full circle with the turtles.
So it is interesting how people with well aspected Sun are better positioned to manifest - and also how Sun types learn from and influence each other thru relationships!!
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* Henry Fredericks is the performer Taj Mahal
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" Most people I speak to still see it as a strange 60's cult. That is their ignorance of Vedic civilization, but what can be done?"
I'm ignorant of Vedic civilization and I've been studying it for years - A thorough study of Vedic civilization can take a life time - I think what could be done is less cultural sentiment and more dealing with the spiritual facts, this would speed up the communication. The perception that people have being that it is a 60s thing, I think it has a lot to do with the look that it has, East Indian culture in the west has connections (with common people) with #1 Victorian elements #2 the 1960s.
Haribol