Heart of Devotion (Nine Essays for Spiritual Reflection) [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2003] Datyaraga dasa (Steven J. Rosen) - Softcover

Pages: 84

Introduction
I recently had a dream in which I envisioned a book called "heart of devotion."

Upon awakening, I questioned myself: what was in this book? Was it written by me, or

by someone else? Does it deal with deep, esoteric subjects, or is it more about essential,

fundamental truths? After all, esoterica and basic principles are both at the heart of

devotion, for one cannot get at higher realities without following or understanding the

truths and practices that lie at their basis.

I decided to attempt putting this book into written form. I was unsuccessful. Then I

opted for another approach: I looked through my files for several already written,

unpublished papers that might go into such a volume. And there they were, peeking out at me:

nine specific titles that seemed entirely appropriate for a book on "the heart of

devotion."

Some, like the first three, focus on fundamental principles at the core of our

Vaishnava tradition: (1) the difference between the body and the actual self (the soul) is

in many ways the underlying root principle of our philosophy; (2) the basic idea behind

Deity worship (often confused with idol worship) is central to our form of communion with

God; and (3) under standing the nonsectarian truth of Krishna consciousness-how it is

different from ordinary "Hinduism" this is the distinguishing quality of Saragrahi

devotion, the eternal religion so dear to Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Because these three articles

get at the very essence of what Vaishnavism is all about, they do in a sense address "the

heart of devotion."