Helping others..err...ourselves

What a treat it is to the false-ego when someone appreciates us for our "supposedly" positive influence to their spiritual life! The mind becomes so elated that even after the person has stopped appreciating us, it goes gaga about our so called virtues. Such is the intensity of self-importance that is impregnated in our false-ego.

A fundamental thing that we have to realize (and if we fail to do so, Krsna puts us in situations to make us realize) is the difference between us and the realized souls who preach out of compassion. 

• We preach, not because we are qualified to preach, but to please Guru Maharaj and Srila Prabhupad.
• We preach because by preaching we would attract the mercy of the previous acaryas and that is the quickest way to progress.
• We preach because by teaching others we learn the subject the best. 
• We preach because preaching is high sadhana. As H.G.Vaisesika prabhu puts it "Book-distribution is high sadhana". In order to get results in preaching, it is imperative to maintain high sadhana standards and a prayerful mood by taking shelter of the Lord and Vaishnavas.

So, my dear mind, please always remember that what you do benefits "You" the most more than anybody else. Since devotional service is so dynamic and potent, many others may also get benefitted in the process, but "You" are the primary benefactor!

Nitai Krpa Pradayine

This morning while I was chanting, a thought came to my mind about Guru Maharaj. I was recollecting some pastimes shared by devotees that revealed the omniscient aspect of His personality. The immediate thought that came to my mind was - how could Guru Maharaj be so loving and affectionate towards me despite knowing what kind of rascal I am. At times, I struggle to even keep up with my initiation vows and despite being fully cognizant of this fact, Guru Maharaj gives me His unconditional love. How could anyone be  so merciful and loving towards such an offender?

Then I was reminded of the incident when Jagai and Madhai had physically hurt Lord Nityananda and He was profusely bleeding, but yet He simply pleaded them to chant and become devotees. Guru Maharaj, is Nitai-krpa pradayine, one who freely distributes the mercy of Lord Nitai - just like Nitai, even to the offenders! 

His every action has just one purpose - to encourage us to continue in the path of devotion and help us become better devotees. How blessed am I to be under His shelter!

P.S - In the lecture that I was listening to this morning, Guru Maharaj mentioned that Jagai and Madhai did not even once break their initiation vows, because they felt it is a now-or-never opportunity and were very serious in their spiritual life.

Living one day at a time

I have lofty plans...plans to give up all my material engagements and dedicate my life in the service of the Lord. Whenever I am swamped with other material engagements which are seeming hindrances to my spiritual pursuit, this idea is what gives me hope, hope for something better in the future.

But in due course, I have realized that in the hope for a better tomorrow, I am failing to look at what best can be done today. I might not even live to see the day that I have so vividly pictured in my mind. The only thing that is within my control is to try my best in being Krsna Conscious TODAY. Forget about the future, attack one day at a time to see how it can be Krsnaized!

Embankment

Embankment -  wall or bank of earth or stone built to prevent a river flooding an area.

In areas that are flood-prone, there is a prevalent practice to construct embankments to divert the flood waters thus avoiding any damage to life and property. Similar to that, the embankment that protects our bhakti-lata from the onslaughts of the flood-waters of maya is the association of  devotees. When we have our blues in devotional life, where we seem to no longer have the enthusiasm or taste to carryon, it is this association that is going to pull us out of this miserable situation. 

Association should be such that there is an active exchange of Krsna Consciousness within the group that at the end of it one feels enthused to perform better devotional service. One should always endeavor to be in such association day in and day out. If not, the bhakti-lata will be prone to attacks of maya and precious time will be lost in trying to get back to normalcy.