Celebrating Five Years Online
This month the Harmonist celebrates five years online. Launched in April 2009 with inspiration from Swami B.V. Tripurari, we have published over 800 articles exploring the depths of Gaudiya Vedanta and how modern thought and intellectual trends interface with the tradition of Caitanya Vaisnavism.
Since launching, we have published thought-provoking articles that challenge the spiritual status-quo. We have also created an opportunity for thoughtful, productive discourse through a liberal comment-approval policy. A wide variety of examples of such articles and discussions include: the philosophy of Siksastakam and beginningless karma, religio-social issues such as homosexuality, sectarianism, sustainable agriculture, and even quantum physics. Nitaisundara dasa, managing editor for the past 5 years, explains that this approach “encourages devotees to think for themselves, as opposed to just trying to disseminate formulaic methods, while remaining rooted in Gaudiya Vedanta.”
We have also embraced satire as a starting point for discussion through comics by Gurunistha dasa. In fact, some of our most lively discussions began with Nectar of Deviation and As It Was.
The spirit of these discussions is best described by Bhakti Abhaya Ashram Swami in his article Embracing Unity in Diversity,
“… discussion aimed at understanding the conclusions of the scriptures strengthens our faith.”
This month we will be republishing our most popular articles to encourage further dialogue. We also look forward to many more years plumbing the depths of Gaudiya Vaisnavism in light of modern culture and thought.
As Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura said, an article could be published every moment when the subject is the infinite Godhead, so as time goes on the need for a voice like the Harmonist will only grow.
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Happy Birthday Harmonist!
Congratulations on 5 years of fantastic articles and talks. I celebrate your appearance and continued presence in the cyberspace. You’re my favourite website for all things spiritual and philosophical.
Happy Birthday Dear Publisher of Harmonist.us ! Hope next 5 years and after next, next and next.
Congratulations and many thanks for a very thoughtful and inspiring presentation of GV spirituality!