“Yes, we must set up our society as a school as best we can—I have already sent you letter. Please formulate the whole curriculum because we have to immediately submit to the Draft department and if this is accepted that will be great gain for our society. “Bhakti-sastri” is awarded after extensive study of Bhagavad-gita, Easy Journey, and Nectar of Devotion. “Bhakti-vaibhava” is awarded after study of Vedanta-sutra and Srimad-Bhagavatam on a preliminary basis; and “Bhaktivedanta” the highest title, is awarded after extensive study of Caitanya-caritamrta.” (Letter to Brahmananda, Hawaii, March 23, 1969)
school (2)
When I was a young lad, I did not do what I wanted to do. I wanted to run free, to be part of the trees and the grass and the rivers and birds. I knew instinctively who I was. I wanted that natural happiness, to live free of unwanted imposing structures not of my designs.
Instead, I trusted them. They soon made me sit in a small desk in school, for hour after hour, with my hands folded in front of me, to learn.
I had in my innocence found that when I just relaxed and let myself, just, “Be”, I felt ecstasy ! , or at least a broad sense of well being, like a molecular-level happy tingling sensation, all over and in me! When I spoke of this to significant others, the adults, they didn't know what to say, or acted like it was a child's imagination and ignored me, and so I soon learned not to trust or expose my inner self. I became bricked, in the wall.
When at age 5, I cried horrified tears at the sudden realization that my parents would eventually grow old and die! My mother and fath
