Title: Universalist Radha-Krishnaism:
A Spirituality of Liberty Truth and Love
Author: Steve Bohlert
Edition: First
ISBN: 978-0-918475-02-2
Publication date: October 23, 2009
Size: 5”x8” 160 pages

Reviews

“As a life long seeker myself, open to both Eastern and Western religious ideas, I consider this book a portal to enlightenment. Bohlert leads the reader up a spiral staircase to the light, winding through the Christian and Hindu faiths as we ascend. . . .Bohlert asks the reader to throw off convention, and simply embrace the love emanating from Radha and Krishna. If more people read this book, the world will be a better place.” Nori Muster, author of Betrayal of the Spirit

Dr. M. Valle, who teaches philosophy of religion at Scottsdale Community College (AZ) says, “Steve Bohlert’s approach to spirituality merges Western and Eastern thought by de-emphasizing cultural trappings and literalism, while maintaining a passionate emotional bond with the Supreme Being in this especially effective form of the Divine Couple, Radha-Krishna.”

“Universalist Radha-Krishnaism is a spiritual journey and a modern synthesis like you have seldom seen before, and never in this unique context. It's a bridge between the East and West, past and present, old and new. Continuing in the tradition of progressive, prolific western thinkers like John Shelby Spong, Marcus Borg, Joseph Campbell, Paul Tillich, and science visionaries like David Bohm, together with India's own luminaries like Kedarnath Bhaktivinode Thakur, Steve Bohlert adds new acts in an ever unfolding play of human self-discovery and its relationship to the divine.” Zvonimir Tosic, Artist/Philosopher

Book Description

Steve Bohlert (Subal Das Goswami) redefines Radha-Krishna devotion and makes it accessible to Western seekers. He revises Radha-Krishna devotional yoga and adapts it to people’s needs today. His Universalist Radha-Krishnaism: A Spirituality of Liberty, Truth, and Love presents a complete philosophical system along with spiritual practices that readers can incorporate into their daily lives to develop devotion to God-dess--Radha Krishna, the Divine Couple--and enter into their play.

Universalist Radha-Krishnaism offers--A practical spirituality that readers may harmoniously practice in their current life situation. A vision of eternal spiritual life as an intimate associate of Radha-Krishna as well as the means to actualize it. An affirmation of God-dess’ loving presence permeating this life with goodness and grace. A philosophical basis and practical techniques that allow the reader to begin the path of loving devotion. A dynamic, creative faith, free of untenable dogma, which encourages liberty of thought and practice.

Realizing “the self” related to God-dess and the world through divine love leads to a sense of interconnectedness with all existence--both material and spiritual. A heightened sense of freedom, fulfillment, and enjoyment of life naturally develops from this awareness.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 7
1 · Introduction 9
1·1 Western Inspirations 9
1·2 Universalist Pioneers in Chaitanyaism 12
1·3 Universalist Awakening — A Personal Journey 14
2 · Universalist Radha-Krishnaism 23
2·1 Essential Teachings 23
2·2 Summary Presentation 24
3 · Our Historical Roots 45
3·1 Krishna Chaitanya 45
3·2 The Chaitanya Movement’s Social Perspective 50
3·3 Ever Unfolding Spiritual Truth and Practice 55
4 · Means of Knowing God-dess 61
4·1 Materials For Chaitanya’s Philosophy 63
4·2 Sources of Knowledge 65
4·3 Faith, Doubt, and Belief 70
5 · Manifestations of Divinity 75
5·1 Nature of the Absolute 76
5·2 Radha-Krishna, The Divine Couple 84
5·3 Simultaneous Oneness and Difference 92
6 · The Individual Spirit Soul 95
7 · The World of Experience 101
7·1 The Beginning 101
7·2 Living in The Material World 105
7·3 Science and Religion 107
8 · The Way of Natural Devotion 113
8·1 Recommended Devotional Reading 136
8·2 Divine Names and Mantras 138
8·3 The Two-In-One 139
8·4 The Ultimate Goal — Divine Love 143
9 · Remembering Radha-Krishna Throughout the Day 147
Glossary 153
Bibliography 158

Author Bio

Steve Bohlert (Subal Das Goswami)

Steve Bohlert served as an international leader in the Krishna Movement for eight years (1967-74). In 1974, Lalita Prasad Thakur initiated him into the esoteric path of natural devotion to Radha-Krishna. He later was ordained and served as a pastor and teacher in the United Church of Christ for eleven years (1991-2002). He studied postmodern, Western intellectual and academic theological traditions at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, earning a Master of Divinity degree (1991).

Bohlert lived in India for three years as an itinerant monk and gained firsthand experience of Radha-Krishna devotion in its homeland as well as teaching extensively in the west. While staying in Vrindaban, he was befriended and mentored by O.B.L. Kapoor, who directed him to Lalita Prasad Thakur (1879-1980), the son and disciple of renowned nineteenth century reformer and Westernizer of Chaitanyaism, Bhaktivinode Thakur (1838-1914).

In 1974, Lalita Prasad initiated Bohlert into the esoteric practices of natural devotion. For a fortnight, he lived with Lalita Prasad and learned everything he needed to know. These teachings form the basis of Universalist Radha-Krishnaism. Although he planned to stay in India permanently, Lalita Prasad told him to preach in the West. He left the renounced life and reentered American society.

When he moved to Hawaii in 2005 and intensified the natural devotional practices learned from Lalita Prasad, Bohlert found he could no longer uncritically accept his former beliefs. He applied the interpretive techniques learned in seminary to Chaitanyaism. Bohlert reformed traditional Chaitanyaism using a progressive, Protestant method of interpretation to develop Universalist Radha-Krishnaism.

Steve Bohlert experienced life in a wide range of social, cultural, religious, and political contexts. He is conversant with the subject in its traditional setting and deeply in touch with Western culture and thought.

Steve Bohlert and his wife live an off-grid lifestyle of voluntary simplicity in the jungle on the Big Island, not far from where the lava flows into the ocean. This lush, virgin land and sea provide an ideal environment for his writing and spiritual practices.