Dec 29, 2013 — USA (SUN) — What does it take to become a winner at the ISKCON News video contest? Well, that respected standard-bearer of what is right (or wrong) with ISKCON just awarded a $300 gift to a film about a yoga retreat. And in the film, the collection of pasty-faced samadhi smiles could just as well be right out of some Tilak-free Zone at the Bhaktifest wherein Radhanath and the Yoga Rabbi are chief guests.
So put on your best yoga immersion smirk and sing along to tunes and chants that were never part of the original ISKCON that Shrila Prabhupada intended. Welcome to the New Age of presumed bhakti wherein whatever you like goes because—hey, Prabhus—over at ISKCON News it's authorized and bona fide to merge with The Great Whatever in the name of bhakti all over again.
Note that the colossal third prize package of $200 went to ISKCON's most magnificent castle, Radha Desh in Belgium. I mean, like, where's dat at? It's supposed to be a college—a wealthy institution. How far does $200 go--or are funds running dry? This is not a very good sign when ISKCON essentially awards a tiny prize to itself.
Anyway we do sincerely congratulate the first prize winner for a really nice video on Shri Ishopanshad and note that although the talented Mikey Jay (Bhakta Mike Jones) is not initiated, he has beat out the behemoths of ISKCON with a video which in our humble opinion was hands down worthy of the reward. Despite the obvious youth appeal of Mikey Jay's presentation, we notice that no convenient adulteration of the philosophy has been slipped in. It is the old wine in new bottles showcasing the message as Shrila Prabhupada presented it in the very Upanishad that leads to the personal understanding of the Absolute Truth. So watch this, rejoice and chant along.
Way to go Bhakta Mike Jones. All glories to your service, Prabhu.
