Abstract
In its early days, the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) was considered by its members to be an ideal micro-society that, once developed, would replace the existing “materialistic” social structure. Although this aspiration now appears “utopic” even to most of the membership, it is still useful as a model in which the accuracy of certain new social theories related to identity and knowledge can be tested: in particular, the phenomenon known as “thought style” finds a striking application in the approach that both institutional and individual ISKCON members have taken to the world. The Hare Krishna movement has undergone several important changes in a relatively brief history, and these are all well documented. In this article the author illuminates the various transformations of Hare Krishna thought style, and the complex dynamics that have accompanied them.