Camp: Delhi
My Dear disciples,
Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the savior of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga.
As all of you are aware, I have not been in good physical health since April. Different devotees have different understanding about what is the real problem. The real problem is that one of my main arteries was found to be blocked in April, when I was in Washington. I have tried to get my artery opened through a simple technique called Angioplasty, but it has not been successful so far. Any way, whatever practical approach has to be used will be used, as the purpose of having a normal healthy body is to be able to serve Their Lordships and Srila Prabhupada.

This body will always give some troubles or the other. Therefore, a devotee is never disturbed by these developments. Frankly, Krishna has been very kind and merciful to me during my recent ill health. Krishna provided the best medical care in both Washington and Delhi, plus Krishna has allowed me to chant and do my practical GBC services throughout. The devotees in Washington and Delhi have also looked after me very nicely.
My request to my disciples and aspiring disciples that you all please take to Krishna consciousness seriously. At the time of initiation, the disciple takes certain vows in front of the deities, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Vaishnavas and the fire. These commitments should never be compromised or ignored. Sometimes devotees have a tendency to think that they can deviate a little, flirt with sense enjoyment and then they will again return to Krishna consciousness. The nature of Maya is that it is expert in dragging you down. Therefore Rupa Goswami advises :

utsahan niscayad dhairyat
tat-tat-karma-pravartanat
sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

Translation : There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service: (1)
being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles [such as sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam-hearing, chanting and remembering Krsna], (5) abandoning the association of nondevotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.
The senses are always trying to tempt us in activities of sense gratification. Therefore Rupa Goswami states :

vaco vegam manasah krodha-vagam
jihva-vegam udaropastha-vegam
etan vegan yo visaheta dhirah
sarvam apimam prthivim sa sisyat

Translation : A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.
My practical advice is :
Maintain a strict sadhana. If you are staying in the temple or near the temple, then please come to the morning programmes. If you are a grihastha staying at home, then make a strict schedule for the morning programmes. Instead of 4.30 a.m., do Mangal Artika at 5.00 or 5.30 a.m. You must chant the Samsara prayer, Narasimhadev Arti, Tulsi Puja and Sri Guru-carana-padma every morning. This is very important. All of you must read Srila Prabhupada's books. I would like all of you to develop the habit of reading for at least one hour a day. When you read Srila Prabhupada's books, you associate with Srila Prabhupada, the predecessor acharyas and the Supreme Lord Himself. No acharya in recent history has presented so many books as Srila Prabhupada has. These books will sharpen your intelligence and make it easier to cut material desires to pieces. My biggest regret is that you disciples do not read enough.
The purpose of taking initiation is to advance spiritually. Prabhupada often used to state that one should not accept a spiritual master just for show. The Spiritual Master only has one desire; to see the disciple develops vairagya and attachment to Krishna. To develop this attachment, you have to pay the price - be greedy -laullyaum. The materialist is greedy for sense enjoyment, whereas the spiritualist is greedy for developing love of Krishna.
My disciples are always inquiring about my health. I am sure all of you want me to become normal and resume active service like before. Do I just need the best doctor, hospital or medicine to return to healthy life. No. I need you disciples to glorify Krishna more, by chanting your rounds attentively. No one can cheat or mislead Krishna. So demonstrate to Krishna that you want to please Him. Please give me the medicine by becoming good devotees. Also, engage in practical service. When you do practical seva, then you demonstrate to Guru and Krishna that you want to please Them and execute Their order.
The medicine that will cure me is with all of you, not doctors. So please take my request seriously. This will please Prabhupada, Krishna and myself.
I hope this meets all of you well.

Your ever well wisher
in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Gopal Krishna Goswami