It is a qualification of the great thinkers to pick up the best even from the worst. It is said that the intelligent man should pick up nectar from a stock of poison, should accept gold even from a filthy place, should accept a good and qualified wife even from an obscure family and should accept a good lesson even from a man or from a teacher who comes from the untouchables.
- Srila Prabhupada
*
This point is very useful for helping devotees succeed because even if a devotee is heavily conditioned, you may find good things in him and help him develop them.
Translate
Friday, April 30, 2010
Failures
From an Interview with Brian Tracy
Q: What failures, if any, have you encountered so far, and what are some of the lessons you have learned from them?
Brian Tracy: In everything that I have ever attempted, I have met with failure after failure after failure. I have learned that setbacks, disappointments and temporary failure are as normal and as natural as breathing in and breathing out. I failed in school. I failed in my first, second and third attempts to cross the Sahara Desert. I failed at different jobs, at least initially. When I began selling full time, I failed to make a sale hundreds of times. When I moved into management, I made an endless number of mistakes. At every part of my life and my career, I have had failures over and over again before I experienced success. What I have learned from failure is the necessity for persistence. Every single person who has ever achieved greatly has also failed greatly many times. The reason that people succeed is because they never, never give up, no matter how bad it looks.
Q: What failures, if any, have you encountered so far, and what are some of the lessons you have learned from them?
Brian Tracy: In everything that I have ever attempted, I have met with failure after failure after failure. I have learned that setbacks, disappointments and temporary failure are as normal and as natural as breathing in and breathing out. I failed in school. I failed in my first, second and third attempts to cross the Sahara Desert. I failed at different jobs, at least initially. When I began selling full time, I failed to make a sale hundreds of times. When I moved into management, I made an endless number of mistakes. At every part of my life and my career, I have had failures over and over again before I experienced success. What I have learned from failure is the necessity for persistence. Every single person who has ever achieved greatly has also failed greatly many times. The reason that people succeed is because they never, never give up, no matter how bad it looks.
EMPOWERMENT
In the Bhagavad-gita (10.41) the Lord says, "Anyone specifically powerful
and opulent in wealth, strength, beauty, knowledge and all that is
materially desirable is to be considered but a product of an insignificant
portion of the complete whole of My energy."
No one, therefore, can be independently powerful in any measure without
being endowed by the Lord.
When the Lord descends on the earth along with His eternal ever-liberated
associates, He not only displays the divine energy possessed by Himself, but
also empowers His associate devotees with the required energy to execute His
mission of incarnation.
It is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita (4.5) that the Lord and His eternal
associates descend on the earth many times, but the Lord remembers all the
different roles of incarnations, whereas the associates, by His supreme
will, forget them.
Similarly, the Lord takes away with Him all His associates when He
disappears from the earth.
The power and energy which were bestowed upon Arjuna were required for
fulfillment of the mission of the Lord, but when His mission was fulfilled,
the emergency powers were withdrawn from Arjuna because the astounding
powers of Arjuna, which were astonishing even to the denizens of heaven,
were no longer required, and they were not meant for going back home, back
to Godhead.
If endowment of powers and withdrawal of powers by the Lord are possible
even for a great devotee like Arjuna, or even the demigods in heaven, then
what to speak of the ordinary living beings who are but figs compared to
such great souls.
The lesson is, therefore, that no one should be puffed up for his powers
borrowed from the Lord.
The sane man should rather feel obliged to the Lord for such benefactions
and must utilize such power for the service of the Lord.
Such power can be withdrawn at any time by the Lord, so the best use of such
power and opulence is to engage them in the service of the Lord.
SB 1.15.5 Purport
and opulent in wealth, strength, beauty, knowledge and all that is
materially desirable is to be considered but a product of an insignificant
portion of the complete whole of My energy."
No one, therefore, can be independently powerful in any measure without
being endowed by the Lord.
When the Lord descends on the earth along with His eternal ever-liberated
associates, He not only displays the divine energy possessed by Himself, but
also empowers His associate devotees with the required energy to execute His
mission of incarnation.
It is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita (4.5) that the Lord and His eternal
associates descend on the earth many times, but the Lord remembers all the
different roles of incarnations, whereas the associates, by His supreme
will, forget them.
Similarly, the Lord takes away with Him all His associates when He
disappears from the earth.
The power and energy which were bestowed upon Arjuna were required for
fulfillment of the mission of the Lord, but when His mission was fulfilled,
the emergency powers were withdrawn from Arjuna because the astounding
powers of Arjuna, which were astonishing even to the denizens of heaven,
were no longer required, and they were not meant for going back home, back
to Godhead.
If endowment of powers and withdrawal of powers by the Lord are possible
even for a great devotee like Arjuna, or even the demigods in heaven, then
what to speak of the ordinary living beings who are but figs compared to
such great souls.
The lesson is, therefore, that no one should be puffed up for his powers
borrowed from the Lord.
The sane man should rather feel obliged to the Lord for such benefactions
and must utilize such power for the service of the Lord.
Such power can be withdrawn at any time by the Lord, so the best use of such
power and opulence is to engage them in the service of the Lord.
SB 1.15.5 Purport
Spiritual Self Confidence
I am more sinful than Jagai and Madhai and even lower than the worms in the stool.
Anyone who hears my name loses the results of his pious activities. Anyone who utters my name becomes sinful.
Who in this world but Nityananda could show His mercy to such an abominable person as me?
Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not distinguish between the good and the bad.
He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me.
...
I am not fit to speak all these confidential words about my visiting Lord Madana Gopala and Lord Govinda.
...
The dust and shade of the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas have been granted to this fallen soul by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
...
Lord Nityananda said, "In Vrndavana all things are possible." Here I have explained His brief statement in detail.
...
I have attained all this by coming to Vrndavana, and this was made possible by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
- Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, Cc Adi 5
Anyone who hears my name loses the results of his pious activities. Anyone who utters my name becomes sinful.
Who in this world but Nityananda could show His mercy to such an abominable person as me?
Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not distinguish between the good and the bad.
He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me.
...
I am not fit to speak all these confidential words about my visiting Lord Madana Gopala and Lord Govinda.
...
The dust and shade of the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas have been granted to this fallen soul by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
...
Lord Nityananda said, "In Vrndavana all things are possible." Here I have explained His brief statement in detail.
...
I have attained all this by coming to Vrndavana, and this was made possible by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
- Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, Cc Adi 5
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Fearlessness
It is the responsibility of the husband to give his wife fearlessness.
How one awards fearlessness to his subordinate is mentioned in the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
One who cannot get free from the clutches of death is dependent, and he should not become a spiritual master, nor a husband, nor a kinsman, nor a father, nor a mother, etc.
It is the duty of the superior to give fearlessness to the subordinate.
To take charge of someone, therefore, either as father, mother, spiritual master, relative or husband, one must accept the responsibility to give his ward freedom from the fearful situation of material existence.
SB 3.23.51 Purport
How one awards fearlessness to his subordinate is mentioned in the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam.
One who cannot get free from the clutches of death is dependent, and he should not become a spiritual master, nor a husband, nor a kinsman, nor a father, nor a mother, etc.
It is the duty of the superior to give fearlessness to the subordinate.
To take charge of someone, therefore, either as father, mother, spiritual master, relative or husband, one must accept the responsibility to give his ward freedom from the fearful situation of material existence.
SB 3.23.51 Purport
DOG'S PHILOSOPHY
One dog was crossing over a small rivulet, and he saw the picture of another dog in the water. Actually, there was no other dog, but that was his own reflection.
He was carrying some food in his mouth, so when he looked at the water he thought, "Let me take his foodstuff from the mouth," and as he opened the mouth, whatever he had, it was gone.
This is dog philosophy, "Take away." Take other's meal, but he loses his own. This is called illusion, maya.
Similarly, Roman Empire was expanded. The British Empire was expanded. Now they have lost everything. Finished. The dog's business was finished.
So this kind of expansion, unnecessarily, is not good.
Therefore our philosophy is "Be satisfied with whatever God has given you."
Tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam [Isopanisad]. Be satisfied with whatever is given to you by God. Don't try to encroach upon other's property.
This is civilization.
- Based on Srila Prabhupada's lecture
He was carrying some food in his mouth, so when he looked at the water he thought, "Let me take his foodstuff from the mouth," and as he opened the mouth, whatever he had, it was gone.
This is dog philosophy, "Take away." Take other's meal, but he loses his own. This is called illusion, maya.
Similarly, Roman Empire was expanded. The British Empire was expanded. Now they have lost everything. Finished. The dog's business was finished.
So this kind of expansion, unnecessarily, is not good.
Therefore our philosophy is "Be satisfied with whatever God has given you."
Tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam [Isopanisad]. Be satisfied with whatever is given to you by God. Don't try to encroach upon other's property.
This is civilization.
- Based on Srila Prabhupada's lecture
Personal Instruction
Question: Can one do more for people by giving them personal instruction?
Answer: One who gives personal instruction to each and everyone does more for others than the platform speakers do. Generally, whatever platform speakers say cannot solve the problem of everyone in the audience, nor can it always benefit every individual. A person's defects are better rectified in a private tutorial class or private coaching than in hearing lectures in a school or college. Therefore those who instruct particular persons separately can award them something more permanent.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Amrta Vani (under Preaching, question 14, page 315)
Answer: One who gives personal instruction to each and everyone does more for others than the platform speakers do. Generally, whatever platform speakers say cannot solve the problem of everyone in the audience, nor can it always benefit every individual. A person's defects are better rectified in a private tutorial class or private coaching than in hearing lectures in a school or college. Therefore those who instruct particular persons separately can award them something more permanent.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Amrta Vani (under Preaching, question 14, page 315)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Vaisnava Etiquette
Here is how the Hari-bhakti-vilasa defines Vaisnava etiquette, its philosophy, and some basic Vaisnava principles.
"Since nothing can be successful without sadacara or etiquette, every action should be performed with proper etiquette." We must act according to proper etiquette. The heart of a saintly person is free from contamination. The way a saintly person acts is known as proper etiquette. A way a saintly person acts is know as sadacara.
"If a person reads the six branches of the Vedas without practicing proper etiquette, he does not get purified, just as a bird flies away from the nest as soon as it grows wings, the Vedas leave him at the time of his death.
"Although one may have acquired the knowledge of all of the Vedas, but if one is not practicing the proper etiquette or if he did not become a Vaisnava, then all of this knowledge which he has acquired, will be lost at the time of death.
"Proper etiquette increases fame, opulence, longevity and destroys all inauspiciousness.
"O king, proper etiquette gives the results of dharma, artha and kama. Therefore a wise man very carefully performs the proper etiquette described in the scriptures.
"Thus one can understand that Vaisnava etiquette purifies the heart and the consciousness."
"Since nothing can be successful without sadacara or etiquette, every action should be performed with proper etiquette." We must act according to proper etiquette. The heart of a saintly person is free from contamination. The way a saintly person acts is known as proper etiquette. A way a saintly person acts is know as sadacara.
"If a person reads the six branches of the Vedas without practicing proper etiquette, he does not get purified, just as a bird flies away from the nest as soon as it grows wings, the Vedas leave him at the time of his death.
"Although one may have acquired the knowledge of all of the Vedas, but if one is not practicing the proper etiquette or if he did not become a Vaisnava, then all of this knowledge which he has acquired, will be lost at the time of death.
"Proper etiquette increases fame, opulence, longevity and destroys all inauspiciousness.
"O king, proper etiquette gives the results of dharma, artha and kama. Therefore a wise man very carefully performs the proper etiquette described in the scriptures.
"Thus one can understand that Vaisnava etiquette purifies the heart and the consciousness."
PROPER USE OF INTELLIGENCE
Illusioned by the material nature, the living entity identifies with false ego. More clearly, when the living entity is entrapped by the material body, he at once identifies with the bodily relationships, forgetting his own identity as spirit soul. This false ego associates with different modes of material nature, and thus the senses become attached to the modes of material nature.
Mind is the instrument for feeling different material experiences, but intelligence is deliberative and can change everything for the better. The intelligent person, therefore, can attain salvation from the illusion of material existence by proper use of intelligence.
An intelligent person can detect the awkward position of material existence and thus begin to inquire as to what he is, why he is subjected to different kinds of miseries, and how to get rid of all miseries, and thus, by good association, an advanced intelligent person can turn towards the better life of self-realization.
It is advised, therefore, that an intelligent person associate with the great sages and saints who are on the path of salvation. By such association, one can receive instructions which are able to slacken the conditioned soul's attachment for matter, and thus the intelligent man gradually gets rid of the illusion of matter and false ego and is promoted to the real life of eternity, knowledge and bliss.
SB 2.10.33 Purport
Mind is the instrument for feeling different material experiences, but intelligence is deliberative and can change everything for the better. The intelligent person, therefore, can attain salvation from the illusion of material existence by proper use of intelligence.
An intelligent person can detect the awkward position of material existence and thus begin to inquire as to what he is, why he is subjected to different kinds of miseries, and how to get rid of all miseries, and thus, by good association, an advanced intelligent person can turn towards the better life of self-realization.
It is advised, therefore, that an intelligent person associate with the great sages and saints who are on the path of salvation. By such association, one can receive instructions which are able to slacken the conditioned soul's attachment for matter, and thus the intelligent man gradually gets rid of the illusion of matter and false ego and is promoted to the real life of eternity, knowledge and bliss.
SB 2.10.33 Purport
Stool Cleaner
As a young boy I envied my cousin, who was older, bigger, stronger, and more opulent than I. When he died of a brain hemorrhage, I cried false tears. My spite found new objects, however, in my teenage years -- those who were more popular with the girls or had better grades. After a few years of college, drugs, and "Eastern" philosophy, my malice overtly manifested itself as tat tvam asi. Fortunately, after a couple of decades, my beleaguered heart took refuge under the cooling rays of your lotus feet, and I joined the local ISKCON center. For a brief period I found solace and freedom in the attitude of dasa-dasanudasa. Being a sincere sweeper of the stool room was better than being a charlatan meditator or a "frog in the well."
Gradually my old comrade (envy) announced his continued presence. He had just been waiting on the shore for the initial waves of bliss to subside. "Why do I have to do the menial services?" my mind asked. "If they only knew how qualified I was." So I set out to do the most notable service -- book distribution. "The temple should quickly recognize me as the most fired-up preacher." But then, "Why not become the TSKP leader? The current leader is a fallen grhastha anyway."
As time passed, Your Divine Grace officially accepted me as your disciple and agreed to free me from the reactions to my previous sinful acts. My old nature, however, still persisted. I wanted to become a brahmana: "Surely that will satisfy me." You mercifully gave me second initiation, but the sound of Lord Krsna's flute was drowned by the shrill screams of my material ambitions. "I need more authority. Why not become a Radha-Damodara TSKP bus leader?" That wasn't enough. "If I take sannyasa, others will look up to me (while bowing down, of course)." But what I really needed was more responsibility: "How about GBC? Prabhupada said they were his best men."
Something was still missing. "If I just had a few disciples, I could be absolute."
So you allowed me to "serve" you in this way, too, Srila Prabhupada, though I finally realized that all along I was only serving my false ego. The envy was still there: "Others have more disciples. They give better lectures. Their disciples are more qualified." And so on ... What's next? I could try for "avatarship." But isn't that the original reason I chose to come to this miserable material world? There is one alternative -- surrender. I hope I'm ready for it. You are definitely demanding it more and more. You say that an envious person cannot advance, cannot be happy, and cannot enter the spiritual world. Still I'm envious. What can be done? The mantra can work on the serpent, but it doesn't work on me. Please help me, Srila Prabhupada, to
be a simple, sincere, uninhibited, and unassuming stool cleaner again. Maybe this time I can start with my own heart.
Ganapati Swami, Vyasa Puja Offering 1991
Gradually my old comrade (envy) announced his continued presence. He had just been waiting on the shore for the initial waves of bliss to subside. "Why do I have to do the menial services?" my mind asked. "If they only knew how qualified I was." So I set out to do the most notable service -- book distribution. "The temple should quickly recognize me as the most fired-up preacher." But then, "Why not become the TSKP leader? The current leader is a fallen grhastha anyway."
As time passed, Your Divine Grace officially accepted me as your disciple and agreed to free me from the reactions to my previous sinful acts. My old nature, however, still persisted. I wanted to become a brahmana: "Surely that will satisfy me." You mercifully gave me second initiation, but the sound of Lord Krsna's flute was drowned by the shrill screams of my material ambitions. "I need more authority. Why not become a Radha-Damodara TSKP bus leader?" That wasn't enough. "If I take sannyasa, others will look up to me (while bowing down, of course)." But what I really needed was more responsibility: "How about GBC? Prabhupada said they were his best men."
Something was still missing. "If I just had a few disciples, I could be absolute."
So you allowed me to "serve" you in this way, too, Srila Prabhupada, though I finally realized that all along I was only serving my false ego. The envy was still there: "Others have more disciples. They give better lectures. Their disciples are more qualified." And so on ... What's next? I could try for "avatarship." But isn't that the original reason I chose to come to this miserable material world? There is one alternative -- surrender. I hope I'm ready for it. You are definitely demanding it more and more. You say that an envious person cannot advance, cannot be happy, and cannot enter the spiritual world. Still I'm envious. What can be done? The mantra can work on the serpent, but it doesn't work on me. Please help me, Srila Prabhupada, to
be a simple, sincere, uninhibited, and unassuming stool cleaner again. Maybe this time I can start with my own heart.
Ganapati Swami, Vyasa Puja Offering 1991
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
WITHOUT CARES AND ANXIETIES
It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that one who engages all his activities and senses in the devotional service of the Lord becomes completely peaceful because the Supersoul is satisfied with him; thus the devotee becomes transcendental to all dualities, such as heat and cold, honor and dishonor.
Being freed from all dualities, he feels transcendental bliss, and he no longer suffers cares and anxieties due to material existence.
The Bhagavad-gita confirms that the devotee always absorbed in Krsna consciousness has no anxieties for his maintenance or protection.
Being constantly absorbed in Krsna consciousness, he ultimately achieves the highest perfection.
While in material existence, he lives very peacefully and blissfully, without cares and anxieties, and after quitting this body he goes back home, back to Godhead.
Krsna Book
Being freed from all dualities, he feels transcendental bliss, and he no longer suffers cares and anxieties due to material existence.
The Bhagavad-gita confirms that the devotee always absorbed in Krsna consciousness has no anxieties for his maintenance or protection.
Being constantly absorbed in Krsna consciousness, he ultimately achieves the highest perfection.
While in material existence, he lives very peacefully and blissfully, without cares and anxieties, and after quitting this body he goes back home, back to Godhead.
Krsna Book
PERFECTION OF LOVE AND LIFE
The soul is the production of Krsna. Therefore ultimately, He is our dearmost friend.
We are trying to love somebody. That somebody is a perverted reflection of Krsna.
Actually... Just like the child. The child is searching after the mother's breast. And it is crying. If somebody takes the child, he's not satisfied. Because he cannot express that "I want my mother."
Similarly, we are hankering after loving Krsna in a perverted way. But because we have no information of Krsna, we have forgotten our relationship with Krsna, therefore we are loving this body, that body.
Ultimately, I am loving a cat or dog or something else. The love is there, but we have misplaced the love. As soon as we replace our love to Krsna, then our perfection of love is manifested and our perfection of life is also achieved.
Srila Prabhupada
We are trying to love somebody. That somebody is a perverted reflection of Krsna.
Actually... Just like the child. The child is searching after the mother's breast. And it is crying. If somebody takes the child, he's not satisfied. Because he cannot express that "I want my mother."
Similarly, we are hankering after loving Krsna in a perverted way. But because we have no information of Krsna, we have forgotten our relationship with Krsna, therefore we are loving this body, that body.
Ultimately, I am loving a cat or dog or something else. The love is there, but we have misplaced the love. As soon as we replace our love to Krsna, then our perfection of love is manifested and our perfection of life is also achieved.
Srila Prabhupada
How to be happy within this material world?
Generally when we find someone more qualified than ourselves, we become envious of him; when we find someone less qualified, we deride him; and when we find someone equal we become very proud of our activities.
These are the causes of all material tribulations.
The great sage Narada therefore advised that a devotee should act perfectly.
Instead of being envious of a more qualified man, one should be jolly to receive him.
Instead of being oppressive to a less qualified man, one should be compassionate toward him just to raise him to the proper standard.
And when one meets an equal, instead of being proud of one's own activities before him, one should treat him as a friend.
One should also have compassion for the people in general, who are suffering due to forgetfulness of Krsna.
These important functions will make one happy within this material world.
SB 4.8.34 Purport
These are the causes of all material tribulations.
The great sage Narada therefore advised that a devotee should act perfectly.
Instead of being envious of a more qualified man, one should be jolly to receive him.
Instead of being oppressive to a less qualified man, one should be compassionate toward him just to raise him to the proper standard.
And when one meets an equal, instead of being proud of one's own activities before him, one should treat him as a friend.
One should also have compassion for the people in general, who are suffering due to forgetfulness of Krsna.
These important functions will make one happy within this material world.
SB 4.8.34 Purport
Monday, April 26, 2010
What are you fired up about?
As a reader of the Gita Coaching Blog, one of your goals might well be to help other people succeed.
Enthusiasm to help devotees and other people achieve success in Krsna consciousness is at the heart of what Gita Coaching is about.
As we improve as coaches, and watch those we coach improve too, we see our enthusiasm turn into a deep and long-term satisfaction because of the difference this service is able to make.
Coaching will help you and help those you coach. It is already helping hundreds of devotees all over ISKCON.
Enthusiasm to help devotees and other people achieve success in Krsna consciousness is at the heart of what Gita Coaching is about.
As we improve as coaches, and watch those we coach improve too, we see our enthusiasm turn into a deep and long-term satisfaction because of the difference this service is able to make.
Coaching will help you and help those you coach. It is already helping hundreds of devotees all over ISKCON.
How to Desire
The Lord fulfills his (living entity's) desire as he deserves: Man proposes and God disposes.
The individual is not, therefore, omnipotent in fulfilling his desires.
The Lord, however, can fulfill all desires, and the Lord, being neutral to everyone, does not interfere with the desires of the minute independent living entities.
However, when one desires Krsna, the Lord takes special care and encourages one to desire in such a way that one can attain to Him and be eternally happy.
Bg 5.15 Purport
The individual is not, therefore, omnipotent in fulfilling his desires.
The Lord, however, can fulfill all desires, and the Lord, being neutral to everyone, does not interfere with the desires of the minute independent living entities.
However, when one desires Krsna, the Lord takes special care and encourages one to desire in such a way that one can attain to Him and be eternally happy.
Bg 5.15 Purport
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Obedience
Obedience is the first law of discipline. The people have become disobedient
to the laws of God, and therefore neither rain nor wealth is equally
distributed. A man who is ultimately disobedient cannot have any good
qualifications. When disobedient leaders lead the disobedient people, the
whole atmosphere of the administration becomes polluted and full of dangers,
as when a blind man leads several other blind men. The state taxes,
therefore, should be spent to build the character of the people in general.
That will bring happiness to the citizens of the state.
- Light of the Bhagavata
to the laws of God, and therefore neither rain nor wealth is equally
distributed. A man who is ultimately disobedient cannot have any good
qualifications. When disobedient leaders lead the disobedient people, the
whole atmosphere of the administration becomes polluted and full of dangers,
as when a blind man leads several other blind men. The state taxes,
therefore, should be spent to build the character of the people in general.
That will bring happiness to the citizens of the state.
- Light of the Bhagavata
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Human Qualifications
These are the general principles to be followed by all human beings:
truthfulness, mercy, austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the
month), bathing twice a day, tolerance, discrimination between right and
wrong, control of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence, celibacy,
charity, reading of scripture, simplicity, satisfaction, rendering service
to saintly persons, gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements,
observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society,
remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk, considering
whether one is the body or the soul, distributing food equally to all living
entities (both men and animals), seeing every soul (especially in the human
form) as a part of the Supreme Lord, hearing about the activities and
instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter
of the saintly persons), chanting about these activities and instructions,
always remembering these activities and instructions, trying to render
service, performing worship, offering obeisances, becoming a servant,
becoming a friend, and surrendering one's whole self. O King Yudhisthira,
these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the human form of life.
Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
SB 7.11.8-12
truthfulness, mercy, austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the
month), bathing twice a day, tolerance, discrimination between right and
wrong, control of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence, celibacy,
charity, reading of scripture, simplicity, satisfaction, rendering service
to saintly persons, gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements,
observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society,
remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk, considering
whether one is the body or the soul, distributing food equally to all living
entities (both men and animals), seeing every soul (especially in the human
form) as a part of the Supreme Lord, hearing about the activities and
instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter
of the saintly persons), chanting about these activities and instructions,
always remembering these activities and instructions, trying to render
service, performing worship, offering obeisances, becoming a servant,
becoming a friend, and surrendering one's whole self. O King Yudhisthira,
these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the human form of life.
Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
SB 7.11.8-12
Abundance
God is unlimited, and His desires are also unlimited. This example of unlimited fruits is factually appropriate even within the material context, for with the good will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead there can be enough fruits, grain and other foodstuffs produced so that all the people in the world could not finish them, even if they ate ten times their capacity. In this material world there is actually no scarcity of anything but Krsna consciousness. If people become Krsna conscious, by the transcendental will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead there will be enough foodstuffs produced so that people will have no economic problems at all.
Cc Adi 9.38 Purport
Cc Adi 9.38 Purport
Friday, April 23, 2010
When Your Hut's On Fire
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon
for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to
build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and
to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived
home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He
felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with
disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the
island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the
weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
The Moral of This Story : It's easy to get discouraged when things are going
bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in
the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little
hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that
summons the Grace of God.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon
for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to
build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and
to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived
home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He
felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with
disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the
island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the
weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
The Moral of This Story : It's easy to get discouraged when things are going
bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in
the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little
hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that
summons the Grace of God.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Choice Is Yours
No one can make you feel good or bad without your approval.
People can make you feel good or bad to the extent you allow them to.
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom to choose and an opportunity to grow.
Between what happens to us and our reaction to it there is a space.
We can stop and think what would be the best way to react.
Animals have no space. They react right away.
People can make you feel good or bad to the extent you allow them to.
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom to choose and an opportunity to grow.
Between what happens to us and our reaction to it there is a space.
We can stop and think what would be the best way to react.
Animals have no space. They react right away.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Are Your Excuses Keeping You Stuck?
I am continually amazed to discover that no matter how hard some people are working to make their lives great, no matter how much they have accomplished or how good they feel about themselves, there is almost always one area of their lives where they feel powerless to create the next level of success. If we examine this area, we will undoubtedly find one or more excuses - excuses which have more power than their commitment to their stated goal.
Our excuses are automatic; they take no thinking or creativity. We all have them, we all use them, and we all pretend that we are rendered powerless by them. Some of our excuses are obvious and some are so subtle that it takes a very keen eye to expose them. Some scream their limiting messages loud enough for all to hear; others whisper quietly in our ears: "It's not my fault." "I couldn't help it." "My family needed me." "I need ________ to do their part before I can do mine." "I can't do it." "It's too big." "I don't have enough money." "I'm too stressed out." "I have a headache." "Business is bad all over." "I'll do it next week." "I'll start tomorrow."
Excuses like these are the proverbial back door that we leave open in case the pursuit of our goals is harder than we anticipated and we want to take a time-out. They are literally our attempt to "excuse" ourselves from fulfilling our objectives and behaving like the responsible, powerful, creative human beings that we are. Excuses transfer all of our inner power over to outer circumstances and strip away our ability to create results. They sabotage our dreams for the future and keep us tethered to the past. When allowed to camouflage as the truth, our excuses have the ability to penetrate our best-laid plans and rob us of having a life we love.
If you look back to a time when you produced breakthrough results - whether in your personal life or in your career - you will most likely find that your success was won because you didn't allow yourself to use the excuses that had stopped you in the past. You could see them, and were perhaps momentarily seduced by them. But ultimately you chose not to use them. You consciously or unconsciously declared that area of your life as an "excuse-free" zone. While you may have had moments when your progress was halted by your excuses, in the end you remained more committed to your vision than to your reasons, excuses, and justifications. And if you really look, you'll see that having a current vision for your life - one that deeply inspires you right here and now - is the best antidote to the chronic use of excuses.
By taking the action steps below, prepare for the energy surge that will soon follow.
Take Action Now!
This week, I challenge you to take on the area of your life where you're not making the progress you desire and identify the top five excuses you use to justify your current reality. Remind yourself that at every moment you have a choice to align with your greatest vision for your life or to align with your excuses. Then stand up tall, take back your power, and consciously claim this area of your life as an "excuse-free" zone.
Debbie Ford
Our excuses are automatic; they take no thinking or creativity. We all have them, we all use them, and we all pretend that we are rendered powerless by them. Some of our excuses are obvious and some are so subtle that it takes a very keen eye to expose them. Some scream their limiting messages loud enough for all to hear; others whisper quietly in our ears: "It's not my fault." "I couldn't help it." "My family needed me." "I need ________ to do their part before I can do mine." "I can't do it." "It's too big." "I don't have enough money." "I'm too stressed out." "I have a headache." "Business is bad all over." "I'll do it next week." "I'll start tomorrow."
Excuses like these are the proverbial back door that we leave open in case the pursuit of our goals is harder than we anticipated and we want to take a time-out. They are literally our attempt to "excuse" ourselves from fulfilling our objectives and behaving like the responsible, powerful, creative human beings that we are. Excuses transfer all of our inner power over to outer circumstances and strip away our ability to create results. They sabotage our dreams for the future and keep us tethered to the past. When allowed to camouflage as the truth, our excuses have the ability to penetrate our best-laid plans and rob us of having a life we love.
If you look back to a time when you produced breakthrough results - whether in your personal life or in your career - you will most likely find that your success was won because you didn't allow yourself to use the excuses that had stopped you in the past. You could see them, and were perhaps momentarily seduced by them. But ultimately you chose not to use them. You consciously or unconsciously declared that area of your life as an "excuse-free" zone. While you may have had moments when your progress was halted by your excuses, in the end you remained more committed to your vision than to your reasons, excuses, and justifications. And if you really look, you'll see that having a current vision for your life - one that deeply inspires you right here and now - is the best antidote to the chronic use of excuses.
By taking the action steps below, prepare for the energy surge that will soon follow.
Take Action Now!
This week, I challenge you to take on the area of your life where you're not making the progress you desire and identify the top five excuses you use to justify your current reality. Remind yourself that at every moment you have a choice to align with your greatest vision for your life or to align with your excuses. Then stand up tall, take back your power, and consciously claim this area of your life as an "excuse-free" zone.
Debbie Ford
HOW DOES KRSNA SPEAK
Fluent
A person who can speak meaningful words and with all politeness and good qualities is called vavaduka, or fluent. There is a nice statement in Srimad-Bhagavatam regarding Krsna's speaking politely. When Krsna politely bade His father, Nanda Maharaja, to stop the ritualistic offering of sacrifice to the rain-god, Indra, a wife of one village cowherd man became captivated. She later thus described the speaking of Krsna to her friends: "Krsna was speaking to His father so politely and gently that it was as if He were pouring nectar into the ears of all present there. After hearing such sweet words from Krsna, who will not be attracted to Him?"
Krsna's speech, which contains all good qualities in the universe, is described in the following statement by Uddhava: "The words of Krsna are so attractive that they can immediately change the heart of even His opponent. His words can immediately solve all of the questions and problems of the world. Although He does not speak very long, each and every word from His mouth contains volumes of meaning. These speeches of Krsna are very pleasing to my heart."
Nectar of Devotion
A person who can speak meaningful words and with all politeness and good qualities is called vavaduka, or fluent. There is a nice statement in Srimad-Bhagavatam regarding Krsna's speaking politely. When Krsna politely bade His father, Nanda Maharaja, to stop the ritualistic offering of sacrifice to the rain-god, Indra, a wife of one village cowherd man became captivated. She later thus described the speaking of Krsna to her friends: "Krsna was speaking to His father so politely and gently that it was as if He were pouring nectar into the ears of all present there. After hearing such sweet words from Krsna, who will not be attracted to Him?"
Krsna's speech, which contains all good qualities in the universe, is described in the following statement by Uddhava: "The words of Krsna are so attractive that they can immediately change the heart of even His opponent. His words can immediately solve all of the questions and problems of the world. Although He does not speak very long, each and every word from His mouth contains volumes of meaning. These speeches of Krsna are very pleasing to my heart."
Nectar of Devotion
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Support and Challenge
Two main ways Gita Coaching serves you is support and challenge.
To support you, your coach:
- Thinks of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Has faith in you and your potential
- Wants the very best for you
- Sees you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present
behaviour or activities
- Helps you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Helps you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and
purposes
- Supports you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant
of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and
potential
- Starys with you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you,
keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories
- Works with you to achieve your best possible life
- Believes in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your
life issues seriously
- Encourages you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to
serve Krsna and his parts and parcels
- Consistently feeds your faith so that it will grow and flourish
- Assists you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and
desires and keep you on track towards achieving them
- See you as a person who is healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately
you are
- Together with you, examines every area of your life that you choose and
look at what's working and what isn't, so that you can clear the way for
your success
- Helps you develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the
doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Helps you become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist,
expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Helps you clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Helps you get motivated to take dynamic action
- Helps you achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your
best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being
happy and enthusiastic to do so
To challenge you, your coach:
- Has high expectations of you
- Helps you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the
way you see yourself
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Uncovers and eliminates destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in
a supportive and inspirational environment
- Requires courage, determination and commitment from you
- Demands motivation and effort from you
- Induces you to reach beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the
dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement
- Requires sincere and serious commitment from you
- Asks you for action, not excuses
- Give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and asks you to set aside
time to work on them; expects you to meet them
- Asks you to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness
To support you, your coach:
- Thinks of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Has faith in you and your potential
- Wants the very best for you
- Sees you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present
behaviour or activities
- Helps you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Helps you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and
purposes
- Supports you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant
of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and
potential
- Starys with you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you,
keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories
- Works with you to achieve your best possible life
- Believes in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your
life issues seriously
- Encourages you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to
serve Krsna and his parts and parcels
- Consistently feeds your faith so that it will grow and flourish
- Assists you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and
desires and keep you on track towards achieving them
- See you as a person who is healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately
you are
- Together with you, examines every area of your life that you choose and
look at what's working and what isn't, so that you can clear the way for
your success
- Helps you develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the
doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Helps you become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist,
expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Helps you clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Helps you get motivated to take dynamic action
- Helps you achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your
best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being
happy and enthusiastic to do so
To challenge you, your coach:
- Has high expectations of you
- Helps you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the
way you see yourself
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Uncovers and eliminates destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in
a supportive and inspirational environment
- Requires courage, determination and commitment from you
- Demands motivation and effort from you
- Induces you to reach beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the
dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement
- Requires sincere and serious commitment from you
- Asks you for action, not excuses
- Give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and asks you to set aside
time to work on them; expects you to meet them
- Asks you to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness
Leadership Challenges
"So you big managers now try to train up more and more some competent
preachers and managers like yourselves."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Karandhara, Bombay, 22 December 1972)
***
Over the past 25 years, while serving in ISKCON as a leader and serving
other leaders, what I have observed as a biggest challenge for ISKCON
leaders is - offending devotees. To me, this has been the main reason why
our leaders and managers have lost their positions and even fallen down. In
our attempts to get things done and be efficient, we become blind how we
treat others, and we make tons of offenses. The sum total of those offenses
is the cause of our falldown.
To me, why some devotees get leadership positions is not only because they
have good qualities and skills, but also because of their conditioning of
having an irresistible urge to control. So Krsna mercifully gives them some
span of control because they would have hard time working under anyone. This
might not always be the case but I think it is often the case. In order to
protect themselves from offenses that might come from this controlling
tendency, they need careful guidance and assistance.
I spoke with some senior devotees about succession. It seems that many of
our senior leaders are realizing that they don't have much time left in this
world, so they want to train successors. But what does that mean? How this
will manifest practically?
To me, one of the greatest lacks in ISKCON leadership is lack of desire and
action of ISKCON leaders to help new leaders succeed, to help train and
develop new leaders. I believe that investing time and energy in training,
coaching and mentoring new leaders will pay off enormously. I think we have
some examples of it in the world. You might know what they are.
I heard that some initiatives and efforts are there but it seems they are
highly insufficient. We need much more investing in our leadership
development, improvement and effectiveness.
Spiritual leadership is an extremely difficult service, but if we regularly
and intentionally invest in its development, it might get better and better.
So, what's the solution? I suggest this: make leadership development a top
priority. This means invest time, energy, money and people in it. This means
that in each leader's organizer, planner or diary, leadership development is
on the top of his or her daily to-do list. And then do something significant
every day in this area.
"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be
tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is - that is, by seeing how many
Vaisnavas he has made during his life." (Cc Madhya 24.277)
Similarly, we may say that the leader can be tested by how many leaders he
has made during his life.
preachers and managers like yourselves."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Karandhara, Bombay, 22 December 1972)
***
Over the past 25 years, while serving in ISKCON as a leader and serving
other leaders, what I have observed as a biggest challenge for ISKCON
leaders is - offending devotees. To me, this has been the main reason why
our leaders and managers have lost their positions and even fallen down. In
our attempts to get things done and be efficient, we become blind how we
treat others, and we make tons of offenses. The sum total of those offenses
is the cause of our falldown.
To me, why some devotees get leadership positions is not only because they
have good qualities and skills, but also because of their conditioning of
having an irresistible urge to control. So Krsna mercifully gives them some
span of control because they would have hard time working under anyone. This
might not always be the case but I think it is often the case. In order to
protect themselves from offenses that might come from this controlling
tendency, they need careful guidance and assistance.
I spoke with some senior devotees about succession. It seems that many of
our senior leaders are realizing that they don't have much time left in this
world, so they want to train successors. But what does that mean? How this
will manifest practically?
To me, one of the greatest lacks in ISKCON leadership is lack of desire and
action of ISKCON leaders to help new leaders succeed, to help train and
develop new leaders. I believe that investing time and energy in training,
coaching and mentoring new leaders will pay off enormously. I think we have
some examples of it in the world. You might know what they are.
I heard that some initiatives and efforts are there but it seems they are
highly insufficient. We need much more investing in our leadership
development, improvement and effectiveness.
Spiritual leadership is an extremely difficult service, but if we regularly
and intentionally invest in its development, it might get better and better.
So, what's the solution? I suggest this: make leadership development a top
priority. This means invest time, energy, money and people in it. This means
that in each leader's organizer, planner or diary, leadership development is
on the top of his or her daily to-do list. And then do something significant
every day in this area.
"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be
tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is - that is, by seeing how many
Vaisnavas he has made during his life." (Cc Madhya 24.277)
Similarly, we may say that the leader can be tested by how many leaders he
has made during his life.
Monday, April 19, 2010
BHISMA ON PROCRASTINATION
"Bhishma said, 'These two, viz., one that provides for the future, and one possessed of presence of mind, always enjoy happiness. The man of procrastination, however, is lost.
In this connection, listen attentively to the following excellent story of a procrastinating person in the matter of settling his course of action.
In a lake that was not very deep and which abounded with fishes, there lived three Sakula fishes that were friends and constant companions. Amongst those three one had much forethought and always liked to provide for what was coming. Another was possessed of great presence of mind. The third was procrastinating.
One day certain fishermen coming to that lake began to bale out its waters to a
lower ground through diverse outlets. Beholding the water of the lake gradually decreasing, the fish that had much foresight, addressing his two companions on that occasion of danger, said, 'A great danger is about to overtake all the aquatic creatures living in this lake. Let us speedily go to some other place
before our path becomes obstructed. He that resists future evil by the aid of good policy, never incurs serious danger. Let my counsels prevail with you. Let us all leave this place'
That one amongst the three who was procrastinating then answered, 'It is well said. There is, however, no need of such haste. This is my deliberate opinion.'
Then the other fish, who was noted for presence of mind, addressed his procrastinating companion and said, 'When the time for anything comes, I never fail to provide for it according to policy.' Hearing the answers of his two companions, he of great forethought and considerable intelligence immediately set out by a current and reached another deep lake.
The fishermen, Seeing that all the water had been baled out, shut in the fishes that remained, by diverse means. Then they began to agitate the little water that remained, and as they began to catch the fish, the procrastinating Sakula was caught with many others. When the fisherman began to tie to a long string the fishes they had caught, the Sakula who was noted for presence of mind thrust himself into the company of those that had been so tied and remained quietly among them, biting the string, for he thought that he should do it to give the appearance of being caught.
The fishermen believed that all the fishes attached to the string had been caught. They then removed them to a piece of deep water for washing them. Just at that time the Sakula noted for presence of mind, leaving the string, quickly
escaped. That fish, however, who had been procrastinating, foolish and senseless and without intelligence as he was, and, therefore, unable to escape, met with death.
"'Thus every one meets with destruction, like the procrastinating fish, who from want of intelligence cannot divine the hour of danger. That man, again, who regarding himself clever does not seek his own good in proper time, incurs great danger like the Sakula who had presence of mind. Hence these two only, viz., he that has much forethought and he that has presence of mind, succeed in obtaining
happiness. He, however, that is procrastinating meets with destruction. Diverse are the divisions of time, such as Kashtha, Kala, Muhurta, day, night, Lava, month, fortnight, the six seasons, Kalpa, year.
The divisions of the earth are called place. Time cannot be seen. As regards the success of any object or purpose, it is achieved or not achieved according to the manner in which the mind is set to think of it.
These two, viz., the person of forethought and the person of presence of mind, have been declared by the Rishis to be the foremost of men in all treatises on morality and profit and in those dealing with emancipation. One, however, that does everything after reflection and scrutiny, one that avails oneself of proper means for the accomplishment of one's objects, always succeeds in achieving much.
Those again that act with due regard to time and place succeed in winning results
better than the mere man of foresight and the man of presence of mind.'"
The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section CXXXVII
In this connection, listen attentively to the following excellent story of a procrastinating person in the matter of settling his course of action.
In a lake that was not very deep and which abounded with fishes, there lived three Sakula fishes that were friends and constant companions. Amongst those three one had much forethought and always liked to provide for what was coming. Another was possessed of great presence of mind. The third was procrastinating.
One day certain fishermen coming to that lake began to bale out its waters to a
lower ground through diverse outlets. Beholding the water of the lake gradually decreasing, the fish that had much foresight, addressing his two companions on that occasion of danger, said, 'A great danger is about to overtake all the aquatic creatures living in this lake. Let us speedily go to some other place
before our path becomes obstructed. He that resists future evil by the aid of good policy, never incurs serious danger. Let my counsels prevail with you. Let us all leave this place'
That one amongst the three who was procrastinating then answered, 'It is well said. There is, however, no need of such haste. This is my deliberate opinion.'
Then the other fish, who was noted for presence of mind, addressed his procrastinating companion and said, 'When the time for anything comes, I never fail to provide for it according to policy.' Hearing the answers of his two companions, he of great forethought and considerable intelligence immediately set out by a current and reached another deep lake.
The fishermen, Seeing that all the water had been baled out, shut in the fishes that remained, by diverse means. Then they began to agitate the little water that remained, and as they began to catch the fish, the procrastinating Sakula was caught with many others. When the fisherman began to tie to a long string the fishes they had caught, the Sakula who was noted for presence of mind thrust himself into the company of those that had been so tied and remained quietly among them, biting the string, for he thought that he should do it to give the appearance of being caught.
The fishermen believed that all the fishes attached to the string had been caught. They then removed them to a piece of deep water for washing them. Just at that time the Sakula noted for presence of mind, leaving the string, quickly
escaped. That fish, however, who had been procrastinating, foolish and senseless and without intelligence as he was, and, therefore, unable to escape, met with death.
"'Thus every one meets with destruction, like the procrastinating fish, who from want of intelligence cannot divine the hour of danger. That man, again, who regarding himself clever does not seek his own good in proper time, incurs great danger like the Sakula who had presence of mind. Hence these two only, viz., he that has much forethought and he that has presence of mind, succeed in obtaining
happiness. He, however, that is procrastinating meets with destruction. Diverse are the divisions of time, such as Kashtha, Kala, Muhurta, day, night, Lava, month, fortnight, the six seasons, Kalpa, year.
The divisions of the earth are called place. Time cannot be seen. As regards the success of any object or purpose, it is achieved or not achieved according to the manner in which the mind is set to think of it.
These two, viz., the person of forethought and the person of presence of mind, have been declared by the Rishis to be the foremost of men in all treatises on morality and profit and in those dealing with emancipation. One, however, that does everything after reflection and scrutiny, one that avails oneself of proper means for the accomplishment of one's objects, always succeeds in achieving much.
Those again that act with due regard to time and place succeed in winning results
better than the mere man of foresight and the man of presence of mind.'"
The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section CXXXVII
Danger
So just imagine that the Pandavas, they had their wife, Draupadi... She is
incarnation of goddess of fortune. And friend, Krsna, who is always
protecting them... But still, there are so many dangers. This is the
instruction, that because Krsna is protecting you, you cannot expect that
you'll be out of danger. Danger you must meet, because..., then you'll know
that this material existence is full of dangers. Padam padam yad vipadam [SB
10.14.58]. This we always remember. We should not be so fool that "I am
living very now comfortably." No, sir. You are in danger. That is said by
Krsna. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. You do not take this material
existence as comfortable at any moment. Then you'll not be able to make
progress in spiritual life. As soon as you think that "I am very comfortable
here," then you are spiritually fall down. That is maya.
Prabhupada Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974
incarnation of goddess of fortune. And friend, Krsna, who is always
protecting them... But still, there are so many dangers. This is the
instruction, that because Krsna is protecting you, you cannot expect that
you'll be out of danger. Danger you must meet, because..., then you'll know
that this material existence is full of dangers. Padam padam yad vipadam [SB
10.14.58]. This we always remember. We should not be so fool that "I am
living very now comfortably." No, sir. You are in danger. That is said by
Krsna. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. You do not take this material
existence as comfortable at any moment. Then you'll not be able to make
progress in spiritual life. As soon as you think that "I am very comfortable
here," then you are spiritually fall down. That is maya.
Prabhupada Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974
Bhismadeva's Instructions
Bhismadeva advised for all human beings nine qualifications:
1. Not to become angry
2. Not to lie
3. To equally distribute wealth
4. To forgive
5. To beget children only by one's legitimate wife
6. To be pure in mind and hygienic in body
7. Not to be inimical toward anyone
8. To be simple
9. To support servants or subordinates.
Bhismadeva also advices this:
To get freedom from anger, one should learn how to forgive.
To be free from unlawful desires one should not make plans.
By spiritual culture one is able to conquer sleep.
By tolerance only can one conquer desires and avarice.
Disturbances from various diseases can be avoided by regulated diets.
By self-control one can be free from false hopes.
Money can be saved by avoiding undesirable association.
By practice of yoga one can control hunger.
Worldliness can be avoided by culturing the knowledge of impermanence.
Dizziness can be conquered by rising up.
False arguments can be conquered by factual ascertainment.
Talkativeness can be avoided by gravity and silence.
By prowess one can avoid fearfulness.
Perfect knowledge can be obtained by self-cultivation.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.27 Purport
1. Not to become angry
2. Not to lie
3. To equally distribute wealth
4. To forgive
5. To beget children only by one's legitimate wife
6. To be pure in mind and hygienic in body
7. Not to be inimical toward anyone
8. To be simple
9. To support servants or subordinates.
Bhismadeva also advices this:
To get freedom from anger, one should learn how to forgive.
To be free from unlawful desires one should not make plans.
By spiritual culture one is able to conquer sleep.
By tolerance only can one conquer desires and avarice.
Disturbances from various diseases can be avoided by regulated diets.
By self-control one can be free from false hopes.
Money can be saved by avoiding undesirable association.
By practice of yoga one can control hunger.
Worldliness can be avoided by culturing the knowledge of impermanence.
Dizziness can be conquered by rising up.
False arguments can be conquered by factual ascertainment.
Talkativeness can be avoided by gravity and silence.
By prowess one can avoid fearfulness.
Perfect knowledge can be obtained by self-cultivation.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.27 Purport
Sunday, April 18, 2010
LEVERAGE YOUR STRENGTHS
What do you like the most about your most exciting new Krsna conscious idea or inspiration?
In what ways can you use this positive feature in Krsna's service?
"Everything is possible by the grace of the Lord."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 3.31.18 P)
In what ways can you use this positive feature in Krsna's service?
"Everything is possible by the grace of the Lord."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 3.31.18 P)
The Mind
There is one easy weapon with which the mind can be conquered -- neglect. The mind is always telling us to do this or that; therefore we should be very expert in disobeying the mind's orders. Gradually the mind should be trained to obey the orders of the soul. It is not that one should obey the orders of the mind.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say that to control the mind one should beat it with shoes many times just after awakening and again before going to sleep. In this way one can control the mind. This is the instruction of all the sastras. If one does not do so, one is doomed to follow the dictations of the mind.
Another bona fide process is to abide strictly by the orders of the spiritual master and engage in the Lord's service. Then the mind will be automatically controlled. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed Srila Rupa Gosvami:
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
When one receives the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru and Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's real life begins. If one abides by the orders of the spiritual master, by the grace of Krsna he is freed from service to the mind.
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.11.17 Purport
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say that to control the mind one should beat it with shoes many times just after awakening and again before going to sleep. In this way one can control the mind. This is the instruction of all the sastras. If one does not do so, one is doomed to follow the dictations of the mind.
Another bona fide process is to abide strictly by the orders of the spiritual master and engage in the Lord's service. Then the mind will be automatically controlled. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed Srila Rupa Gosvami:
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
When one receives the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru and Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's real life begins. If one abides by the orders of the spiritual master, by the grace of Krsna he is freed from service to the mind.
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.11.17 Purport
Unlock Your Spiritual Potential
The potential of every devotee is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.
1. Imagine that Krsna gives you ability to achieve any spiritual goal you could ever set for yourself. What do you really want to be, have and do as a devotee?
2. What are the Krsna conscious activities that give you your greatest sense of meaning and purpose in life?
3. Look at your life and service today and identify how your own thinking has influenced your world. What should you, or could you change?
4. What do you think and talk about most of the time?
5. What is the price you will have to pay to achieve the spiritual goals that are most important to you?
6. What one action will you take immediately as the result of your answers to the above questions?
1. Imagine that Krsna gives you ability to achieve any spiritual goal you could ever set for yourself. What do you really want to be, have and do as a devotee?
2. What are the Krsna conscious activities that give you your greatest sense of meaning and purpose in life?
3. Look at your life and service today and identify how your own thinking has influenced your world. What should you, or could you change?
4. What do you think and talk about most of the time?
5. What is the price you will have to pay to achieve the spiritual goals that are most important to you?
6. What one action will you take immediately as the result of your answers to the above questions?
Coachability Index
Considering a coach? The first question for you to ask yourself is. . .
"How Coachable Am I?"
Are you really ready to ask this question of yourself? Do you wonder how
receptive you might be to coaching? If you 're open and available to
tackle these questions, here's a simple questionnaire designed to
enlighten and inform you as to where you might be in relationship to
receiving those things that could move you ahead in your endeavors. Follow
the directions and decide for yourself.
Directions: Make a note of the number which comes closest to representing
how true the statement is for you right now. Then, score yourself, using
the key at the bottom of the page.
Scoring: Score each of your answers with one through five, corresponding
to the item listed below which applies . . .
not true
less true
not sure
more true
true
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How true are these statements?
I can be relied upon to take coaching seriously.
I believe this is the right time for me to accept coaching.
I am fully willing to do the work and let the coach do the coaching.
I keep my word without struggling or sabotaging.
I will give the coach the benefit of the doubt and try out new ideas.
I will tell the whole truth to myself.
I am a person who can express what I need or expect, and I can share this
as soon as I sense it.
I am willing to change self-defeating behaviors which limit my success.
I see coaching as a worthwhile investment in my life.
I am someone who can share the credit for my success with the coach.
____________ TOTAL SCORE (add the numbers up)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCORING KEY
10 - 20 Not coachable right now.
21 - 30 Coachable, but more willingness would permit faster progress.
31 - 40 Coachable.
41 - 50 Very coachable; hire a coach and request that they ask a lot from
you!
If you score over 40, you are ready for coaching.
"How Coachable Am I?"
Are you really ready to ask this question of yourself? Do you wonder how
receptive you might be to coaching? If you 're open and available to
tackle these questions, here's a simple questionnaire designed to
enlighten and inform you as to where you might be in relationship to
receiving those things that could move you ahead in your endeavors. Follow
the directions and decide for yourself.
Directions: Make a note of the number which comes closest to representing
how true the statement is for you right now. Then, score yourself, using
the key at the bottom of the page.
Scoring: Score each of your answers with one through five, corresponding
to the item listed below which applies . . .
not true
less true
not sure
more true
true
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How true are these statements?
I can be relied upon to take coaching seriously.
I believe this is the right time for me to accept coaching.
I am fully willing to do the work and let the coach do the coaching.
I keep my word without struggling or sabotaging.
I will give the coach the benefit of the doubt and try out new ideas.
I will tell the whole truth to myself.
I am a person who can express what I need or expect, and I can share this
as soon as I sense it.
I am willing to change self-defeating behaviors which limit my success.
I see coaching as a worthwhile investment in my life.
I am someone who can share the credit for my success with the coach.
____________ TOTAL SCORE (add the numbers up)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCORING KEY
10 - 20 Not coachable right now.
21 - 30 Coachable, but more willingness would permit faster progress.
31 - 40 Coachable.
41 - 50 Very coachable; hire a coach and request that they ask a lot from
you!
If you score over 40, you are ready for coaching.
GITA COACHING
Goals - Ideas - Action
If you want to improve your:
- Lifestyle
- Self-confidence
- Sadhana
- Job/Service
- Career
- Skills
- Behaviour
- Relationships
- Leadership/Management
- Life mission/purpose
- Life roles
If you want to stop:
- Procrastinating
- Overeating
- Overreacting
- Overspending
- Fearing
- Self-sabotaging
a personal success partner might be of help.
To help you achieve your goals, we draw upon the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and
various professional resources. We also use the GITA Coaching Model:
Goals: What do you want to achieve?
Ideas: What already works? What is possible?
Tests: What are internal/external obstacles?
Action: What action will you take?
If you are interested (or just curious), please email us on:
akrura@gmail.com
If you want to improve your:
- Lifestyle
- Self-confidence
- Sadhana
- Job/Service
- Career
- Skills
- Behaviour
- Relationships
- Leadership/Management
- Life mission/purpose
- Life roles
If you want to stop:
- Procrastinating
- Overeating
- Overreacting
- Overspending
- Fearing
- Self-sabotaging
a personal success partner might be of help.
To help you achieve your goals, we draw upon the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and
various professional resources. We also use the GITA Coaching Model:
Goals: What do you want to achieve?
Ideas: What already works? What is possible?
Tests: What are internal/external obstacles?
Action: What action will you take?
If you are interested (or just curious), please email us on:
akrura@gmail.com
Saturday, April 17, 2010
LIFE COACHING
Come to the edge, he said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came.
He pushed them ... and they flew.
WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?
Life coaching for anyone who wants a future better than their past. It's an opportunity to envision the future you've imagined in your boldest dreams, and start building the road to get there.
Working with a Life Coach is sometimes not easy, but it's always immensely
rewarding.
You work together either on the phone, on Skype or face-to-face.
Coach is also available for email support between calls.
In the first session you set 2-3 inspiring goals for you; goals much greater than you would usually set for yourself.
The goals may be in the areas of self-discipline, sadhana, service, relationships, family, finances, health, and other areas you choose.
In the second session you put some stepping stones in place to help you reach your goals.
YOUR COACH
Coach is usually thrilled about the opportunity to assist you.
He is someone who believes in you and helps you set high goals.
Breaking down those goals into logical steps, and holding you accountable for everything you say and do.
Keeping you in action.
Standing on the side and giving you feedback on your performance.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came.
He pushed them ... and they flew.
WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?
Life coaching for anyone who wants a future better than their past. It's an opportunity to envision the future you've imagined in your boldest dreams, and start building the road to get there.
Working with a Life Coach is sometimes not easy, but it's always immensely
rewarding.
You work together either on the phone, on Skype or face-to-face.
Coach is also available for email support between calls.
In the first session you set 2-3 inspiring goals for you; goals much greater than you would usually set for yourself.
The goals may be in the areas of self-discipline, sadhana, service, relationships, family, finances, health, and other areas you choose.
In the second session you put some stepping stones in place to help you reach your goals.
YOUR COACH
Coach is usually thrilled about the opportunity to assist you.
He is someone who believes in you and helps you set high goals.
Breaking down those goals into logical steps, and holding you accountable for everything you say and do.
Keeping you in action.
Standing on the side and giving you feedback on your performance.
Friday, April 16, 2010
THREE POWERFUL PRICNIPLES
These 3 principles will make you happy if you apply them sincerely and seriously: unconditional giving, gratitude and forgiveness.
Monday, April 5, 2010
GITA COACHING VIDEO
http://www.krishna.com/en/node/1951
1. Introduction to Gita Coaching
2. 10 Qualities of a Coach
3. The Importance of Goal Setting
4. Coach and Coachee Relationship
5. Power of Questions
6. Coaching Skills
1. Introduction to Gita Coaching
2. 10 Qualities of a Coach
3. The Importance of Goal Setting
4. Coach and Coachee Relationship
5. Power of Questions
6. Coaching Skills
SUCCESS AUDIO
Mahatma and Akrura success dialogues.
http://www.krishna.com/en/node/2347
1. Comfort Zone
2. Connecting With Your Dharma
3. Do I Need A Coach
4. Faultfinding
5. Limiting Beliefs
6. Mind
7. Possibility Thinking
8. Power Of Questions
9. Responsibility
10. Self Confidence
11. Self Discipline
12. Self Sabotage
http://www.krishna.com/en/node/2347
1. Comfort Zone
2. Connecting With Your Dharma
3. Do I Need A Coach
4. Faultfinding
5. Limiting Beliefs
6. Mind
7. Possibility Thinking
8. Power Of Questions
9. Responsibility
10. Self Confidence
11. Self Discipline
12. Self Sabotage
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)