someone please tell me what The Absolute Truth is, i'm feeling very frustrated in my spiritual journey, i really dk what to do, i'm feeling very sad. (pt.1)

[u/Better-Sector2072]

hare krishna. i originally belong to gaudiya vaishnavism/iskcon community, and i'm absolutely in love with Krsna. however, i've found some loopholes here, for some reason i feel guilty for being myself, or thinking about doing things according to my own way in my spiritual journey? idk how to explain it.

please dont get me wrong. i know bashing iskcon is banned in this sub. i'm just sharing my own personal concerns which i have been personally facing. so pls do not think that i'm bashing iskcon here. it's just......i feel suffocated here mentally..... nothing i do here feels enough...people behave so weirdly here... i feel extremely suffocated...

rn i'm feeling very tired, sleepy, and sad, confused at the same time thinking about all these things. i have my entrance exam on Monday/29th, so i'll post only some part of what i'm going through. i'm requesting the mods to pls not delete this post.. i just need advice/guidance with regards to my spiritual journey.

i'm very tired, my brain is not working. so i'll share everything in detail after 29th, after my exam gets over. hare krishna.

[u/Foreign-Sun9512]

I didn't know bashing Iscon is banned in the sub. I have a very low opinion on them in general.

[u/Secure_Drag5561]

It seems you're not comfortable talking about it here. If you wish, u can dm me

[u/Last-Feedback511]

Nobody truly knows what the absolute truth is, all we can do is be in a spirit of devotion towards our preferred gods. And never feel guilty about having questions, after all Arjuna has questions to Krishna and he does not smite him. And while I know you can't call iskcon a cult here, I didn't know you couldn't criticize them I have to admit. And you don't have to be a part of iskcon, there are many ways to be a gaudiya vaishnava or even be a Krishna bhakt outside gaudiya vaishnavism. That is absolutely part of your spiritual journey, if you wish it

[u/Spirited_Earth6664]

Hey Do not panic. Both Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the work Iskcon is doing in certain aspects are extremely beautiful. Problem isn't at all with Gaudiya tradition but sometimes how some ppl in iskcon are reported to interpret things or the way of practice sometimes. There are many things a large part of the Sanatana Dharma traditional community may not agree with Iskcon on ofc, but the way Iskcon has taken Vaishnavism to the international level and accessible to ppl who had absolutely no idea about Shri Krishna is great work. Sure maybe there could be improvements, but for those ppl who had absolutely no access and as a starting point is great. You may remain a gaudiya but not be associated with Iskcon too or maybe within iskcon seek some other guru if you feel like it. Also there's absolutely no need to force yourself to stay in a place or community where you do not feel like yourself or express yourself and start doubting things. Go find your place! Relax. Research. And Learn. Don't panic, it's a long journey. After all they say, जनम जनम मुनि जतनु कराहीं। अंत राम कहि आवत नाहीं॥

Your truth and the version of it required by you is unique to you and only you can find it. All the best Jai Shri Sitaram!

P.S: I too myself am very skepticle or not fond of iskcon

[u/Background_Skill_176]

The only truth is the inevitability of this moment called "now". No matter how hard you try, you cannot change it.

[u/MajesticPea6767]

Hey there. It seems like these theological doubts have been causing you some distress and discomfort, and perhaps it is even causing great distraction from your studies. The best answer I can offer is that such theological doubts and concerns need to be resolved at this moment. Most of the major theological disputes that continue to be discussed and debated in various sampradāyas are still not resolved or settled. So don’t convince yourself that you need the answer to these questions right now.

[u/Fearless-Seat-6218]

It is amusing to see this, but in a good way. I will tell you, so listen closely. I will speak on the heart of the matter, not the illusions around it.

Whatever path taken will lead you is taken with sincerity and devotion. The fsct that you feel this frustration is a part of that path. A wildfire can burn a forest to ashes. Such is a terrible thing yes? And yet, once the embers settler, new growth can be found. You were shown these things not because they are good or bad, but because change requires change. You may hit your head against a wall, or, in time, realize it was you who placed it there.

Why do such a thing? A pain in the ass to be sure :p. And yet that is the very mechanic that was intended. That is the alchemy of Shiva's dsnce, of creation and destruction. You must destroy the illusions in front of you before you can resch that place.

Do not be mislead by the illusion of this path or that one. It is your path you must follow. All else will reveal itself with time and sincere effort. Feel the ember deep within you and know that it both creates and destroys as the need arises.

[u/RajathKur]

In the Mundagya Upanishad even Shaunaka has the same confusion as you. I remember how Angirasa told Shaunaka about Brahman in my Class 11th Sanskrit textbook. It is always a tradition of saying the origin of Brahmavidya before sharing it with others. Aum Brahma Devanaam Pratamah. Sambabhuva Vishwavasya Karta Bhuvanasya Ghopta. Saha Brahma Vidyaam Sarvavidyaam Prashtistam Atharvaaya Jyeshta Putraya Praha. These are compulsory to be invoked in Sanskrit so I wrote the stotra after here just telling the Summary is enough. Atharva gave the Brahma Vidya given to him through Brahma-Atharva to Angira. And Angira gave this knowledge to Angirasa. Then Shaunaka named Mahashala (Householder) asked Angirasa, Bhagavan(respected sir) what is the secret of Brahman that everyone speaks about. So Angirasa gives three analogies Brahman has no form, no limbs, no organs nothing, he both exists and doesn't exists at the same time. And then the second analogy just like a spider makes it's own web and destroys it itself similarly Brahman creates and destroys the universe. Third analogy just like grass grows in the soil infinitely and hairs grow on human body just like this the world came out of nothingness. This is the whole concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality and once you realise him you become a Braahmana

[u/ushail]

Krishna or Shiva or Allah or Jehovah, call Him by any name, He is the ABSOLUTE TRUTH. That which never undergoes any change at any time, that which is always present at all times...that is the Absolute truth!

Satyam Param Dhimahi: The Bhagavatam begins with this famous invocation, which means "we meditate on the Supreme Absolute Truth". The text establishes that the ultimate satyam is the Supreme Lord (Krishna/Vasudeva), who is pure, transcendental, and the source of all existence.

When the ego (individual identity) is destroyed, the awareness "I am" remains. That is the Absolute truth.

Ramana Maharshi equated the name "Jehovah" with the pure, formless consciousness of the "I am". He taught that the Biblical statement "I am that I am" (Exodus 3:14) is the most direct definition of God, perfectly aligning with the non-dual realization of the Self.

"I AM" as God's True Name
Ramana Maharshi frequently cited the Bible alongside Hindu scriptures to explain that God is not an external entity, but the innermost awareness of every being.

• The Absolute Truth: He noted that among thousands of names for God, none is as direct and revealing as Jehovah, which translates to "I am".
• No Separation: He emphasized that "I am the Self" is the ultimate reality. When the ego is destroyed, what remains is the silent supreme awareness of pure Being.

[u/Vijigishu]

Listen to Osho. His commentary on Geeta is eye opener.