Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: The Way of Natural Devotion: A Practitioner's Handbook

By Steve Bohlert

Spiritual teacher, Steve Bohlert (Subal Das) redefines Radha-Krishna devotion for Western seekers. His Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: The Way of Natural Devotion; A Practitioner’s Handbook offers the wisdom gained from a lifetime of spiritual teaching and practice in multicultural, interfaith contexts. Bohlert presents a complete philosophical system along with spiritual practices that readers can incorporate into their daily lives to develop devotion to Radha-Krishna, the Divine Couple.

Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: The Way of Natural Devotion; A Practitioner’s Handbook clearly and concisely reveals the esoteric meditative process of participating in Radha-Krishna’s transcendental play. It includes historical and theological grounding along with instructions for the devotional yoga practice of creating an eternal, individual identity. Steve Bohlert taught Radha-Krishna devotion internationally since 1967. He lived in India and was initiated by Lalita Prasad Thakur. He served as a New Age leader and a Christian pastor, and enjoyed a contemplative life with his wife in a remote area of Hawai’i before the couple relocated to Mexico. Steve left his body in April of 2021, and today his wife and students continue to preserve and distribute his teachings as the URK Circle of Natural Devotion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Bohlert
• Release date: Jul 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005730208

Steve Bohlert

Spiritual teacher, Steve Bohlert (Subal Das) redefines Radha-Krishna devotion for Western seekers. His Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: The Way of Natural Devotion; A Practitioner’s Handbook offers the wisdom gained from a lifetime of spiritual teaching and practice in multicultural, interfaith contexts. Bohlert presents a complete philosophical system along with spiritual practices that readers can incorporate into their daily lives to develop devotion to Radha-Krishna, the Divine Couple.Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: The Way of Natural Devotion; A Practitioner’s Handbook clearly and concisely reveals the esoteric meditative process of participating in Radha-Krishna’s transcendental play. It includes historical and theological grounding along with instructions for the devotional yoga practice of creating an eternal, individual identity. Steve Bohlert taught Radha-Krishna devotion internationally since 1967. He lived in India and was initiated by Lalita Prasad Thakur. He served as a New Age leader and a Christian pastor, and enjoyed a contemplative life with his wife in a remote area of Hawai’i before the couple relocated to Mexico. Steve left his body in April of 2021, and today his wife and students continue to preserve and distribute his teachings as the URK Circle of Natural Devotion.

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Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

The Way of Natural Devotion: A Practitioner’s Handbook

Second Edition

Steve Bohlert

Edited and republished by The URK Circle of Natural Devotion

Originally Published by Sky River Press Pahoa, Hawaii

Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Steve Bohlert. Copyright © 2022 The URK Circle of Natural Devotion. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles and reviews.

For philosophical inquiries see the author’s website: www.radha-krishnaism.org

The following publishers generously gave permission to use quotations from copyrighted works: Harvard University, Associated Publishing, Inner Traditions, and Munshiram Manoharlal.

Dedicated to practitioners of amorous devotion.

Acknowledgments

I thank: My wife, Jahnava, who supported this project from the beginning and commented on numerous versions of the manuscript.

Nori Muster who provided detailed editorial guidance that helped me do a major rewrite.

Michael Valle and Zvonimir Tosic for reading and commenting on the manuscript.

Zvonimir Tosic for book design.

All the teachers whose wisdom and inspiration guided me on the way.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the Second Edition

1. Introduction

1.1 Western Inspirations

1.2 Bhaktivinode - Universalist Pioneer

1.3 A Personal Journey

2. Amorous Paths

3. Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

3.1 Essential Teachings

3.2 Summary Presentation

4. Historical Roots

4.1 Krishna Chaitanya

4.2 The Chaitanya Movement’s Social Perspective

4.3 Ever Unfolding Truth And Practice

5. Means of Knowing God-Dess

5.1 Materials For Chaitanya’s Philosophy

5.2 Sources Of Knowledge

5.3 Faith, Doubt, and Belief

6. Manifestations of Divinity

6.1 Nature of the Absolute

6.2 Radha-Krishna, The Divine Couple

6.3 Simultaneous Oneness and Difference

7. Individual Spirit

8. World of Experience

8.1 The Beginning

8.2 Living In The Material World

8.3 Science And Religion

9. Natural Devotion

9.1 Divine Names and Mantras

9.2 The Two-In-One

9.3 The Ultimate Goal

10. Entering Braj

11. Blazing Sapphire

12. Braj Meditation (Short)

13. Braj Meditation (Long)

14. Conclusion

Appendices

Appendix A: Jahnava Thakurani’s Lineage

Appendix B: Glossary

Appendix C: Endnotes

Appendix D: Bibliography

Foreword to the Second Edition

Radha and Krishna are universal; as universal as love itself. Anyone who has felt the nervousness of attraction, the thrill of a reciprocated crush, the bliss of lovers’ union, or the pangs of heartbreak have experienced at least a shadow of Radha-Krishna’s eternal dance. I came to the practice of Sanatana Dharma (which we call Hinduism in the west) purely by accident, and to the practice of Krishna devotion similarly by a second accident. No one had warned me that once you get a taste of Krishna, you can never go back – so attractive and intoxicating is his presence. He intoxicated me, and I have been hopelessly in love with him ever since.

Many sects of Krishna devotion both in the East and West, as this book will explain, are insular societies who teach sole worship of Radha and Krishna, to the point of exclusion of the other forms of divinity such as Shiva, Ganesh, and the many other forms of Devi, the Goddess (to say nothing of Abrahamic religions and other faiths). This is a contrast to the reality of Sanatana Dharma outside these groups, which is, as a rule, very much an open, welcoming, and universalist community of believers who understand and accept worship of the divine in all its forms. Many devotees, including myself and Steve, find themselves disillusioned within such an organization. Steve and I both had experience with ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and although we were members at different times, we both grew frustrated and left for similar reasons. There are many wonderful devotees in ISKCON, and I have no wish to disparage any of them. However, no one organization, and no single group, country, or culture has the exclusive attention and love of Krishna – Steve believed, as do I, that Western devotees of Krishna require a different approach. As my friend and teacher Sri Indra Ram-Das Aghori is fond of saying, ISKCON does not have a monopoly on Krishna. Similarly, Krishna is not Indian, and though Sanatana Dharma is a huge aspect of Indian culture, there is no need to clothe one’s self in the trappings of Indian culture and tradition in order to love, and be loved by, Krishna.

What Steve Bohlert, whom I am blessed to also call my teacher, has composed here is a well-researched and thoughtful exposition of devotion to Radha and Krishna, grounded in the rigor of contemporary Western theology. By reframing Radha-Krishna through the lens of Progressive Christianity, and linking the teachings of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to the ideas of Christian theologians such as Marcus Borg, Steve brings the practice of Krishna devotion into a new light, free from the cultural affectations (however beautiful) of India, grounded in solid theological concepts that are at once rooted in Vedic scripture, yet familiar to Western readers.

This is a radical book. It teaches a radical new perspective on a very traditional spiritual path. It is also, in my opinion, a very much needed book. Universalist practice certainly has room for the divine in all its forms, but all too often Universalism merely waves its proverbial hands at scripture and theology, opting for a more emotional, instinct-based approach. In devotional service to Krishna, the philosophy is everything – every story, every image, every mantra is linked back to a scriptural reference, to Gita, or to Bhagavatam, or to the Vedas and Upanishads, and the underlying philosophy and theology is the central mystery that makes Natural Devotion, in India as well as the West, such a fulfilling and worthwhile spiritual practice. What Steve has accomplished here in marrying the rigor of theological study and hermeneutics to the inclusivity and progressive nature of Universalism, is to be celebrated, and certainly must be preserved.

For these reasons, I was given the task of editing and republishing Steve’s book, to ensure that his teachings will continue to reach the devotees who very much need to hear them. Together with Jahnava, Steve’s wife, and a small group of fellow students, we have formed the URK Circle of Natural Devotion; a group which we hope will continue to distribute and expand upon the work that Steve began in this book. In editing the book, I have preserved Steve’s words and ideas as he presented them; I have only corrected grammatical errors, typos, and made consistent the spelling of certain Sanskrit terms. It is my hope that my work is pleasing to Steve in his new home with Krishna in Goloka-Vrindavan, and that perhaps my efforts will help his words to reignite the flame of love for Radha-Krishna in the hearts of devotees who are seeking this path – just as his words did for me when I was the seeker.

Jaya Subal Das Goswami!

Jaya Srimati Radharani!

Jaya Bhagavan Sri Krishna!

In Their Love,

Keshava Dasi

A note on the e-book edition: when reformatting this book as an e-book, care was taken to ensure that the content would flow naturally on different e-reader and app screens, with different settings. As a result, certain elements of the original book would not work in their original form. In particular, the table outlining Jahnava Thakurani’s Lineage, a lovely two-page spread in the original print edition, could not be formatted in a way that would nicely display on all devices without breaking. Also, footnotes which appeared in page margins of the original printed book could not be reproduced on e-readers. As a result, these elements were relocated to the Appendices as Appendix A: Jahnava Thakurani’s Lineage, and Appendix C: Endnotes.

Also owing to these changes, language in the book which referred to the aforementioned table has been updated to reflect the new format. As with all edits, great care was taken to ensure that these necessary editorial changes do not in any way alter the meaning or intent of Steve’s writing. It is our primary intent to preserve these teachings as he wrote them, making even minor changes only when absolutely necessary.

Jai Radhe!

1Introduction

1.1 Western Inspirations

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When I served as an ordained United Church of Christ (UCC) pastor in the Midwestern United States from 1991-2002, I was impressed with Marcus Borg’s book, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, in which he re-imagined what Jesus was like. Later, I read his The God We Never Knew: Beyond Dogmatic Religion to a More Authentic Contemporary Faith, in which he took on the even bigger challenge of re-visioning God and the Christian faith based on that new vision. I admire this kind of scholarship in the Christian tradition that uses alternative interpretations from scripture and tradition.

Borg and others like Matthew Fox, Dominic Crossan, and John Spong present exciting ways of thinking about faith from the mystical wisdom tradition that remain relevant today. While these leaders are not universally accepted within the church, they are respected by people looking for a more progressive Christian vision within the church and among unchurched seekers.

These leaders and others were part of the progressive theological environment at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, where I studied for three years. They do not work in isolation, but as integral parts of mainline Christianity’s emphasis on educated clergy and intellectual integrity. In the progressive Reformed Christian tradition where I served as a pastor, I was impressed by how the church was reformed and ever reforming. It is always in process. Through the ages, it managed to change and adapt to time and place with reasonable success. Some rare churches actualize this ideal more than others and provide shining examples in a sea of mediocrity. I apply the ideal model to Radha-Krishnaism.

Progressive Christian thought grounds my theological approach in the Western tradition. Many similarities exist between Christian devotion and Radha-Krishna devotion. Their basic concepts are transferable because of their universal nature.

Borg began The God We Never Knew by discussing how people think about God. He presented panentheism as an alternative to the distant monarchical model of God. He next described how people imagine God and Jesus along with why and how it matters. He then discussed how people can live with God, which is the heart of spirituality, as more a matter of relationship with God than following God’s requirements. God’s compassion and grace predominate. People need simply remain open to God’s grace and turn their lives over to his-her care and guidance.

The dream of God or the kingdom of God, leads to a politics of compassion, which influences how believers conduct themselves in this life. Borg asserted that salvation begins in this life as people are liberated from bondage, reconciled with God, enlightened, forgiven, and loved just as they are. This does not negate salvation in the afterlife, but there really is no way of knowing just what that will be like.

Ben Reist, my reformed theology professor, said, If a little Buddha rubs off on Jesus, and a little Jesus rubs off on Buddha, so much the better for both of them. As an eclectic universalist, I firmly believe cross-pollination of religions brings a fuller understanding of truth.

The liberal reformed tradition welcomed my background as a Radha-Krishna devotee as an asset for Christian ministry, and I saw my Christian ministry as a Western version of Radha-Krishna devotion.

I no longer minister in the Christian church, and focus on Radha-Krishna devotion. Most Radha-Krishna devotees are fundamentalist literalists who think they have the ultimate answers to truth and that their answers are superior to anyone else’s. When I interned at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, California, pastor Larry Peterson said, Remember, your truth is truth with a small ‘t’ just like everyone else’s.

Modern people live in a relativistic, pluralistic world open to truth in all forms. This unique opportunity allows seekers to take the best teachings and practices of all paths and integrate them into a multifaceted whole, which gives a fuller picture of Truth than any one path alone could. Universalist Radha-Krishnaism evolved out of a lifetime study of spiritual paths.

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I use the term God-dess as a universal expression that recognizes the ground of being is both masculine and feminine -the Divine Couple, Radha-Krishna. God-dess is not limited to previous understandings of Radha-Krishna or the patriarchal image God invokes. God-dess, a less familiar term than God, frees people to imagine new images of the divine.

The proliferation of books and Internet articles about religion and spirituality present an unparalleled opportunity to broaden understanding of God-dess. However, all language and human understanding remain inherently inadequate. Humans can never fully comprehend God-dess. Rather, people get glimpses through grace. Each religious or spiritual path contains its own particular view of Goddess from the perspective of their culturally derived realizations.

I find the eternal association of Radha-Krishna in their spiritual realm of Braj to be the most attractive vision for eternity. Yet, I feel a need to update it, give it a new look, and adjust for life in the West.

Thus, I present a nonsectarian version of Radha-Krishna devotion inspired by my grand-spiritual-teacher, the nineteenth-century visionary, Bhaktivinode Thakur who began the process of Westernizing and universalizing the teachings.

1.2 Bhaktivinode -Universalist Pioneer

Bhaktivinode Thakur (1838–1914) saw a progressive revelation of truth.

He pictured modern theologians as essence seekers who go beyond the limits of their own religious circle and value the spiritual essence of other traditions. He pioneered the movement of Radha-Krishnaism from India to the West. As a college-educated civil servant in British colonial East India, Bhaktivinode synthesized Western analytical thought, Unitarian Christian theology, and traditional Chaitanyaism to appeal to other well-educated Bengalis. He felt that when Radha-Krishnaism migrated to the West, as it now has, Radha-Krishnaism would benefit by the interaction.

Bhaktivinode did not believe in rote repetition from one generation to the next. Each generation contributes to the evolution of thought. More complex forms evolve from simpler forms. He understood essential truth is of two varieties – its original form, and the way people receive it. This relates to exegesis and hermeneutics, the process of using scholarly techniques to understand what a scriptural passage meant in its earliest setting for the original intended audience, and then using an interpretive process to derive its meaning for today’s audience.

There are essential truths in the scriptures that need reinterpretation for every new generation, especially when the people receiving that truth are of a different cultural and religious background than the originating culture. While maintaining the essential truth of a passage, people may apply it differently today than they would have say five hundred years ago, or even yesterday, or from one audience to the next.

Each audience calls for a unique performance of truth according to its understandings and needs. Everyone is at a different stage of spiritual experience. Therefore, they need a different word of truth. As Martin Luther said, That may be the word of God for you, but it’s not for me. Practitioners need not accept everything the tradition says.

India, especially Vrindavana, is extremely conducive to developing love of Radha-Krishna. There is a tremendous amount of cultural support for spiritual life. Radha-Krishna devotion is a product of Indian spiritual culture developed over millennia. To most Westerners, it seems quite foreign. Yet some people bridge the spiritual, cultural divide and appreciate its essential spiritual truths. Some Westerners adopt Indian lifestyles, attempt to follow the practices as much like Indians as possible, and tend to be literal fundamentalists. Universalist Radha-Krishnaism practitioners relish the spiritual essence, live a Western lifestyle, and harmoniously adapt the teachings to Western culture.

Bhaktivinode wrote,

Liberty then is the principle, which we must consider as the most valuable gift of God. We must not allow ourselves to be led by those who lived and thought before us. We must think for ourselves and try to get further truths which are still undiscovered. In the … Bhagavata we have been advised to take the spirit of the Shastras [scriptures] and not the words. The Bhagavata is, therefore, a religion of liberty, unmixed truth, and absolute love. (Bhagavata 32)

Bhaktivinode was a magistrate trained to hear the testimony, view the evidence, and draw conclusions regarding the truth of the matter. He approached spiritual truth the same way and studied eastern and Western religion and philosophy. He concluded the teachings of the Bhagavat Puran were best, but he found errors in it and in the writings of its most revered commentators. He trusted himself, his intelligence, and natural intuition to guide him.

Reviews for Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

[Winnie Spencer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent devotional book. Meditations at the end are superb. Highly recommended to all.