Bhakti Marga Swami
[Bhakti Marga Swami is a diksa disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava line, sannyasa disciple
of Gopala Krsna Swami, and member of ISKCON’s Governing
Body Commission.]
“Regardless of whatever sexual orientation
we may belong to—hetero, bi or homo—we are all endeavoring through
the process of Krishna Consciousness by chanting, etc., to reduce
the sex appetite and increase the urge to serve Krishna. In
the ninth chapter of the Gita, the Lord explains that everyone
has the opportunity to accomplish love of Krishna. So for starters
it is recommended that we take direction from a siksa guru and
then, to enhance our devotion more, to take diksa [initiation]—oftentimes
from the same person who counsels us.
“The steps taken towards diksa can be discussed as a private
matter with the desired guru in mind. Attitudes will vary from
guru to guru on the multi-sexual variants of today, and some
will be more broad-minded on the subject. All persons must
be
dealt with on an individual basis, while at the same time the
four regulative principles are to be considered. Many senior
devotees will give interpretations on the illicit sex issue,
but in the strictest sense, intercourse—as it is understood
from Prabhupada—is meant for procreation and procreation
alone. Our leaders have looked at this issue realistically and
have concluded, at least for grhastas [married couples], that
they are encouraged to reach this platform. I counsel grhasthas
that it is their responsibility to keep the relationships intact
for their own sake and for the sake of their children where
there are some. If some affection is shown outside procreation,
then they have somewhat of an obligation. In other words, do
not try to be a brahmacari [celibate] when you are a grhastha.
“To some, this principle of leniency may be stretched to
the non-heterosexual community. When it comes to taking initiation
it is, of course, a serious matter, and if one considers him
or herself a bisexual and is not sexually active, then we have
no problem. If there is activity, then one would be advised
to speak in confidence to an advanced soul if one wants to
pursue
initiation. In ISKCON the attitudes are generally conservative,
since active sex means bodily indulgence, which makes it hard
to progress spiritually. If mere companionship is the motivating
factor behind a relationship, then you can discuss [the matter]
with a mature devotee who honors confidentiality.
“In Dvaraka, the city of Krishna, there were prostitutes
that were devotees of God. No one can say that one is not a
devotee even if one is sexually active, but for the extra step—initiation—one
may wish to wait until much of this karma is out of one’s
system.
“These are some things to consider.”
(Personal letter, May 18, 2003)
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