The Medium is the Message

Bhakta Tariq Saleem Ziyad

 Several years ago there was a book written entitled, The Medium is the Message.This book made the point that what you were using to convey the message was the very message itself even though it did not appear apparently so. Whenever I think of the Vedas with all of it's stories I think ‘the story itself is the message’.

And what are the stories telling us? How, by following the examples of the true devotees in the stories, we can exemplify the best of manners and courtesies, and the best moods and modes of devotional services.

Often, I express to my wife (Krsnanandini) how much the society at large could benefit by hearing the stories in the Vedas. Yes, I am sure the people of the community would be thankful, as they are at a loss as to how to relate to each other in a meaningful way, even though they have had stories. Their stories have lost meaning for them as they forgot that "The Medium is the Message" and that they should make their stories and examples of faith and manners a reality in their own everyday lives.

This same "forgetting" happened in the Vedic culture, resulting in the need for Srila Prabhupada and others like him. I suggest that the Hare Krsna Community, instead of "forgetting", create forums to take the stories out into the larger community with the intent in mind that the courtesies, manners and various examples of faith (despite many unusual obstacles) will help them remember and appreciate that "the medium is the message".