We may not that, although Mahaprabhu did debate Prakashananda and the sannyasins of Varanasi, it was his effulgence (his character) that won them over.

So I was just trying to give some encouragement, because I would like to see more devotees feel confident enough in their connection with Krishna consciousness to openly tell people how wonderful it is. I’ve asked many people here in central Pennsylvania, “Have you heard of the Hare Krishnas?” and about half respond with some memory from past decades while the other half (the younger ones usually) haven’t heard of us at all. Srila Prabhupada gave us the most sublime spiritual teachings and along with it the responsibility to share it with others. I don’t think we’re doing enough of that, and I don’t see how we can do it if we stay hidden. Plain and simple, we need to say “Hare Krishna” to people more often.

Given the history of the “Hare Krsnas” in my opinion it’s a good thing that there are people who have never heard of them. It makes room for a fresh start. Moreover, I personally do not identify myself as such, which is why I said what I did about going incognito if I worked where you work. Please don’t take it personally–I would do that anywhere and if it were anybody, male or female. The reason for my aversion is that too much has gone on in association with that phrase that in my experience more often than not immediately brings “weird cult” to mind. I disagree that to plainly and simply “say Hare Krsna” to people more often is an effective means of making a favorable impression of the tradition in the minds of modern Western people. Consequently when I have the good fortune to speak to someone about bhakti I basically never say the words “Hare Krsna.” Following the lead of my gurudeva I talk about it in terms of “devotional Vedanta” or “devotional yoga.”

Tilaka and shaved head with sikha I think are fully appropriate for monastics. But for lay practitioners in the West–where such things are for the most part viewed as odd at best unless in the monastic context–I can’t see how that is going to help Gaudiya Vaisnavism grow out of the “Hare Krsna cult” phase into being respected as the deep spiritual tradition it is.

I work for a private company and it would be totally inappropriate to come into my workplace with a shaved head, a sikha and tilak. On the other hand, I do have two wonderful pictures of Krsna in my office and I share my devotion to Krsna with those who are interested when and where appropriate.

The workplace is just that – a place where people come together for a common purpose whether it be government service or private industry. We have company policies as well as laws that prevent prostelytizing in the work place. Harassment is not just defined as sexual in this day and age and most companies are well aware of the laws and do their best to uphold a standard that is conducive to progress of the work at hand and free of any type of prejudice.

While I agree with you that people are becoming more tolerant of differences I would say conversely that people are more aware of harassment in the form of ‘religious outreach’ and would prefer to be left alone in that regard. I don’t mean to say that people are closed off and unwilling to learn, far from it – but they don’t want dogma shoved down their throats either.

My own opinion about Tilak, sikha and shaven head as it relates to the workplace is that it totally depends on the work environment. About the only place where I think it would be appropriate would be in a devotional workplace – but even then, if the company is hiring people at large I would say it is over the top. That is my personal opinion and not a judgement.

By the way, I don’t think that being nice or friendly is a given. There are ‘fruits of the spirit’ and one who is seriously practicing bhakti sadhana under good guidance should see signs of those fruits in his/her life. Nice and friendly are part of that, as are tolerance, forbearance, forgiveness etc. All too often ‘devotees’ think that following 4 principles and chanting are all that is required for advancement but looking closely reveals that many of those who think that way are not developing the ‘fruits of the spirit’ we are talking about that you seem to feel are a given. Advancement in bhakti requires good company and deep introspection. The more a person has bhakti, the more they will be able to give it to others – that’s a fact. Regardless of external dress, those who have bhakti will have a deep impact on those around them and those with little to no bhakti will have very little to no impact on those around them – again – regardless of external uniform.

Each of us feel capable of doing more of one thing and less of another, and that’s ok. It’s just that I came into this saying that I’ve been wearing tilak to work for several years in a big office and occasionally meeting with outside business people, and have had a very favorable experience with it. I wanted to encourage other devotees, but I felt like this was met with a very negative reaction. Ironically, my coworkers and other professionals I meet seem to have no problem with my wearing tilak and shaved head with sikha, but many devotees here don’t like it. One devotee seemed to suggest I was a fanatic and creepy, and another went so far as to say he wouldn’t want to be associated with me and would remove his neck beads if we worked in the same office to hide any connection. Many devotees comments here made me feel like they thought there was something wrong with me for wearing tilak wherever I go.

In fact, the broader society we live has been moving toward acceptance of all kinds of personalities. That makes looking like a devotee not so difficult. Personally I just had to get over my own inhibition against it, and since then it’s been easy. At first I felt a little weird wearing it, other people would pick up on that, but I’m normally quite comfortable with it and others seem to be too. It helps a lot to see everyone in relation to Krishna, rather than thinking “I’m a devotee but these karmis are so fallen.”

So I was just trying to give some encouragement, because I would like to see more devotees feel confident enough in their connection with Krishna consciousness to openly tell people how wonderful it is. I’ve asked many people here in central Pennsylvania, “Have you heard of the Hare Krishnas?” and about half respond with some memory from past decades while the other half (the younger ones usually) haven’t heard of us at all. Srila Prabhupada gave us the most sublime spiritual teachings and along with it the responsibility to share it with others. I don’t think we’re doing enough of that, and I don’t see how we can do it if we stay hidden. Plain and simple, we need to say “Hare Krishna” to people more often. Being nice and friendly goes without saying.