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xv preface
approach in preaching (although it is doubtful that nearly as much
evidence could be supplied to support that position as has been
provided in Speaking Strongly).
On Speaking Strongly in Çréla Prabhupäda’s Service is solidly based on
more than five hundred quotes from Çréla Prabhupäda’s teachings
and other authoritative sources, and further substantiated by the
inclusion of several of the hundreds of recorded anecdotes that
demonstrate his straightforwardness and provocativeness. These
combinedly establish that my strong speaking, for which I am
somewhat known within iskcon, is not merely my own idiosyncrasy,
but a sacred order from Çréla Prabhupäda that is meant to largely
define his movement, notwithstanding his sometimes cautionary
words.
Hence, this tract is intended not only as a personal manifesto,
for addressing misgivings that devotees may have about my often
abrasive style, but also to educate followers of Çréla Prabhupäda
about his seemingly largely forgotten precept and practice
of outright speaking, and to convince all present and future
followers of Çréla Prabhupäda of the necessity for bold, strongly
worded preaching. It is particularly aimed at devotees who possess,
or aspire to possess, full faith in the teachings of çästra and the
Gauòéya paramparä. (Although such faith is the basic qualification
of a Gauòéya Vaiñëava, it is often alarmingly absent in members of
iskcon today.) Moreover, it offers guidelines for speaking pointedly
and effectively in a manner consonant with Çréla Prabhupäda’s
desires.
In the initial portion of this monograph, I attempt to show why
devotees should speak strongly, clearly, and boldly, and how they
can best serve Çréla Prabhupäda by doing so. Later, I add balance by
examining, and to some extent accommodating, other approaches
to preaching besides all-out attack, yet also warning of the dangers
of being too reticent. I discuss the pros and cons of speaking out,