Lord Krsna said to King Yudhisthira, "My devotee is not deterred by any adverse conditions of life; he always remains firm and steady. Therefore I give Myself to him, and I favor him so that he can achieve the highest success of life."
The mercy bestowed upon the tried devotee by the Supreme Personality is described as brahma, which indicates that the greatness of that mercy can be compared only to the all-pervasive greatness of Brahman.
Brahma means unlimitedly great and unlimitedly expanding.
That mercy is also described as paramam, for it has no comparison within this material world, and it is also called suksmam, very fine.
Not only is the Lord's mercy upon the tried devotee great and unlimitedly expansive, but it is of the finest quality of transcendental love between the devotee and the Lord.
Such mercy is further described as cin-matram, completely spiritual.
The use of the word matram indicates absolute spirituality, with no tinge of material qualities.
That mercy is also called sat (eternal) and anantakam (unlimited).
Since the devotee of the Lord is awarded such unlimited spiritual benefit, why should he worship the demigods?
A devotee of Krsna does not worship Lord Siva or Brahma or any other, subordinate demigod. He completely devotes himself to the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Krsna Book 88: The Deliverance of Lord Siva
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
THINKING, FEELING AND WILLING
Regarding your question about thinking about sex, is that also one form of illicit sex or against our four principles? Yes, even thinking sex is the same as illicit sex, but one who is not advanced cannot avoid it. But that does not disturb our regular procedure.
We should strongly follow all the regulations and principles and chant and these thoughts will come and go away. Thinking will come; even great saintly persons like Lord Siva are not free of thoughts that come, so what to speak of you. So we must say that such thinking is no offense because you are accustomed to this habit.
But beyond thinking are feeling and willing, so even thoughts of sex connection may come, that is difficult even for saintly persons to avoid, still, in the further stages of feeling and willing we can easily conquer over this sex urge. Willing should be avoided and acting stopped, or else there is offense of breaking this basic prohibition of illicit sex-life.
Because thinking comes I shall give it practical shape: that is nonsense, but because it is an old habit we are unable to check it unless we can understand the nature of feeling, willing and then action, and how by proper use of intelligence and prevent thoughts which must come from maturing into actions -- that is the practical application of Krishna Consciousness regulative principles.
Even Lord Caitanya Himself said that sometimes when I see a wooden form of a woman, my mind becomes agitated but that does not mean that we should give it practical shape, that is intelligence. One must be convinced that sex-life without exception means trouble, therefore he is able to stop it at the thinking stage by not allowing it to be felt, much less willed and acted.
- Srila Prabhupada's letter to Kirtiraja -- Mayapur 28 February, 1972
We should strongly follow all the regulations and principles and chant and these thoughts will come and go away. Thinking will come; even great saintly persons like Lord Siva are not free of thoughts that come, so what to speak of you. So we must say that such thinking is no offense because you are accustomed to this habit.
But beyond thinking are feeling and willing, so even thoughts of sex connection may come, that is difficult even for saintly persons to avoid, still, in the further stages of feeling and willing we can easily conquer over this sex urge. Willing should be avoided and acting stopped, or else there is offense of breaking this basic prohibition of illicit sex-life.
Because thinking comes I shall give it practical shape: that is nonsense, but because it is an old habit we are unable to check it unless we can understand the nature of feeling, willing and then action, and how by proper use of intelligence and prevent thoughts which must come from maturing into actions -- that is the practical application of Krishna Consciousness regulative principles.
Even Lord Caitanya Himself said that sometimes when I see a wooden form of a woman, my mind becomes agitated but that does not mean that we should give it practical shape, that is intelligence. One must be convinced that sex-life without exception means trouble, therefore he is able to stop it at the thinking stage by not allowing it to be felt, much less willed and acted.
- Srila Prabhupada's letter to Kirtiraja -- Mayapur 28 February, 1972
Friday, August 27, 2010
ASKING POWERFUL QUESTIONS
With just one powerful question you can help to unleash the life-changing moment of truth for a client. To get amazing results you need to be phenomenal and outrageous, you need to challenge the norm and stretch outside the box of prescribed questions and possibilities.
Asking a powerful question helps the client to open up his or her mind to a different way of looking at things. To really help someone to change you have to be able to reach deep down into the core of their thinking and experiences and stir something in their inner selves. At times you may need to shake them up. This starts with the first question you ask your client. Once you have awakened some hope of possibility within an individual, the path for moving forward becomes a real probability.
A different way of approaching questions and presenting information helps the client to look at their same reality through different eyes and possibly more accurately. It’s as Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Kim Knight
Asking a powerful question helps the client to open up his or her mind to a different way of looking at things. To really help someone to change you have to be able to reach deep down into the core of their thinking and experiences and stir something in their inner selves. At times you may need to shake them up. This starts with the first question you ask your client. Once you have awakened some hope of possibility within an individual, the path for moving forward becomes a real probability.
A different way of approaching questions and presenting information helps the client to look at their same reality through different eyes and possibly more accurately. It’s as Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Kim Knight
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
THE QUESTION THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
This question can completely transform your life and improve your life leadership:
What is the most valuable use of my time - right now?
Use it at least once every hour.
If you practice using it, you will see that you will have more time to do things that matter most to you and that you are becoming more happy and satisfied.
The magic of this question is that it connects you with your intuition, with your highest values and with what is most important to you.
The people and things that matter most to us should always be our top priority, and this question facilitates that smart choice.
What is the most valuable use of my time - right now?
Use it at least once every hour.
If you practice using it, you will see that you will have more time to do things that matter most to you and that you are becoming more happy and satisfied.
The magic of this question is that it connects you with your intuition, with your highest values and with what is most important to you.
The people and things that matter most to us should always be our top priority, and this question facilitates that smart choice.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
TIPS FOR ATTAINING SUCCESS IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS
One way to attain success in Krsna consciousness is to follow these tips:
CHANTING
1.Chant 16 rounds in one go attentively first thing in the morning
2.Chant the holy name constantly
3.Find happiness in chanting the holy name
4.Send reports to your Chanting Success Partner (CSP)
5.Read about the effects of chanting from Sri Namamrta
6.Write your realizations about chanting
7.Inspire devotees to chant more
8.Make chanting the main pillar of success of your life
9.Make chanting the main pillar of success of your family and community
10.Pray to the holy name
SELF RENEWAL
11.Renew body: get up at 4:00 am, dance in kirtan, eat more fruit and vegetables, walk in nature or park
12.Renew mind: learn from Srila Prabhupada's books, learn from professionals, plan weekly and daily
13.Renew heart: always seek first to understand, give unconditionally, cultivate pure motives
14.Renew spirit: chant attentively, read Prabhupada's books, listen to Prabhupada's lectures, pray, attend temple programs, preach, remember your eternal position
SERVICE
15.Be focused on the basic principles and practices of Krsna consciousness
16.Look for opportunities to support and guide devotees to help them succeed in all areas
17.Serve devotees by helping them connect with Krsna
18.Inspire people to chant the holy name and surrender to Krsna
19.Inspire people by to love and serve Krsna
20.Preach Krsna consciousness with courage and humility
21.Glorify Krsna through preaching and singing
22.Inspire secular leaders to follow Srimad Bhagavatam
23.Remember that anything is possible by Krsna's mercy
RELATIONSHIPS
24.Help more, judge less
25.Ask inspiring questions, talk less
26.Give people your love and care
27.See yourself as people's servant
28.Speak and act out of love, not out of fear
29.Be devoted to Krsna and love Him to the best of your ability
CHANTING
1.Chant 16 rounds in one go attentively first thing in the morning
2.Chant the holy name constantly
3.Find happiness in chanting the holy name
4.Send reports to your Chanting Success Partner (CSP)
5.Read about the effects of chanting from Sri Namamrta
6.Write your realizations about chanting
7.Inspire devotees to chant more
8.Make chanting the main pillar of success of your life
9.Make chanting the main pillar of success of your family and community
10.Pray to the holy name
SELF RENEWAL
11.Renew body: get up at 4:00 am, dance in kirtan, eat more fruit and vegetables, walk in nature or park
12.Renew mind: learn from Srila Prabhupada's books, learn from professionals, plan weekly and daily
13.Renew heart: always seek first to understand, give unconditionally, cultivate pure motives
14.Renew spirit: chant attentively, read Prabhupada's books, listen to Prabhupada's lectures, pray, attend temple programs, preach, remember your eternal position
SERVICE
15.Be focused on the basic principles and practices of Krsna consciousness
16.Look for opportunities to support and guide devotees to help them succeed in all areas
17.Serve devotees by helping them connect with Krsna
18.Inspire people to chant the holy name and surrender to Krsna
19.Inspire people by to love and serve Krsna
20.Preach Krsna consciousness with courage and humility
21.Glorify Krsna through preaching and singing
22.Inspire secular leaders to follow Srimad Bhagavatam
23.Remember that anything is possible by Krsna's mercy
RELATIONSHIPS
24.Help more, judge less
25.Ask inspiring questions, talk less
26.Give people your love and care
27.See yourself as people's servant
28.Speak and act out of love, not out of fear
29.Be devoted to Krsna and love Him to the best of your ability
DEARMOST
People tend to accept the material body as the dearmost.
Then this idea of the dearmost is expanded to one's children and relatives and is developed on the basis of the real living entity, the soul within the body.
As soon as the real living entity leaves the body, even the body of the most dear relative or friend is no longer attractive.
Therefore the living soul, who is an eternal part of God, is the real basis of affection, and not the temporary material body and mind.
Because the living entities are parts of the supreme living entity, He is the factual basis of affection for all.
One who has forgotten this basic principle of love for everything and everyone has only flickering love because he is thinking of the temporary body only.
We cannot factually love anything or anyone unless we are fully developed in the loving service of the Lord.
Srimad Bhagavatam stresses that we must have more and more attachment to the principle of love.
In all circumstances we should try to develop love of God, and that will gradually solve all our difficulties and improve all our relationships, because we will see everyone as a dear child of the Supreme Father.
Then this idea of the dearmost is expanded to one's children and relatives and is developed on the basis of the real living entity, the soul within the body.
As soon as the real living entity leaves the body, even the body of the most dear relative or friend is no longer attractive.
Therefore the living soul, who is an eternal part of God, is the real basis of affection, and not the temporary material body and mind.
Because the living entities are parts of the supreme living entity, He is the factual basis of affection for all.
One who has forgotten this basic principle of love for everything and everyone has only flickering love because he is thinking of the temporary body only.
We cannot factually love anything or anyone unless we are fully developed in the loving service of the Lord.
Srimad Bhagavatam stresses that we must have more and more attachment to the principle of love.
In all circumstances we should try to develop love of God, and that will gradually solve all our difficulties and improve all our relationships, because we will see everyone as a dear child of the Supreme Father.
Monday, August 23, 2010
WHY QUESTIONS?
Asking relevant questions is important to help us:
• Gather information
• Create understanding and learning
• Build, improve, and sustain relationships
• Clarify and confirm listening
• Stimulate creativity and innovation
• Resolve conflicts
• Create collaboration
• Set goals and create action plans
• Explore, discover, and create new possibilities
Not every question applies to every situation.
That’s why we need to develop a collection of our favorite questions and work with them on a regular basis, daily.
These questions can open and change our mind. They allow us to unveil new choices, options, opportunities, advantages and possibilities.
• Gather information
• Create understanding and learning
• Build, improve, and sustain relationships
• Clarify and confirm listening
• Stimulate creativity and innovation
• Resolve conflicts
• Create collaboration
• Set goals and create action plans
• Explore, discover, and create new possibilities
Not every question applies to every situation.
That’s why we need to develop a collection of our favorite questions and work with them on a regular basis, daily.
These questions can open and change our mind. They allow us to unveil new choices, options, opportunities, advantages and possibilities.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Gita Coaching Introduction by Akrura dasa
in Zürich 27.04.2010.
ONLINE
http://kadamba.net/akruraprabhu.html
or
http://vimeo.com/13768473
VIDEO DOWNLOAD
http://kadamba.net/akruradas.mp4
AUDIO DOWNLOAD
http://kadamba.net/akruradas.mp3
ONLINE
http://kadamba.net/akruraprabhu.html
or
http://vimeo.com/13768473
VIDEO DOWNLOAD
http://kadamba.net/akruradas.mp4
AUDIO DOWNLOAD
http://kadamba.net/akruradas.mp3
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
CIVILIZATION
Life's aim is self-realization — and Lord Visnu — not the skyscrapers. This piling of stones and woods, this is not very intelligent work. Piling the woods and stones and earth is there already as big mountains and hills. You do the business of a porter, carry it out, and put it high, heap it in one place, and it becomes a skyscraper building. If you are simply proud of these heaps of stones and wood and iron, that is not civilization. Civilization is that the living entity who is using these resources must know what is his actual business.
This piling of stones and wood is done also by the birds. They also pick up, according to their strength, some twigs, and they make a nest. That intelligence is there. The rat also, he makes a subway. (devotees laugh) So this is not very intelligent work, to imitate the rats, the birds, the cats, and the dogs. That is not civilization.
Civilization means self-realization, "What I am? Why I am forced to die? I do not like to die." To know this, that is civilization. When all these inquiries will come into one's mind,like: "I do not wish to die. Why death is there, forced upon me? I am forced to die. I do not wish to be diseased. Why disease comes upon me?" When this "why" questions comes, that is humanity. And if a man remains dull, "All right, let me die," then he's cat and dog. That's all. If there is no "Why?" then he's a cat and dog.
So human civilization does not mean piling of woods and stones. Human civilization means brahma-jijñāsā, inquiry.
- Srila Prabhupada
This piling of stones and wood is done also by the birds. They also pick up, according to their strength, some twigs, and they make a nest. That intelligence is there. The rat also, he makes a subway. (devotees laugh) So this is not very intelligent work, to imitate the rats, the birds, the cats, and the dogs. That is not civilization.
Civilization means self-realization, "What I am? Why I am forced to die? I do not like to die." To know this, that is civilization. When all these inquiries will come into one's mind,like: "I do not wish to die. Why death is there, forced upon me? I am forced to die. I do not wish to be diseased. Why disease comes upon me?" When this "why" questions comes, that is humanity. And if a man remains dull, "All right, let me die," then he's cat and dog. That's all. If there is no "Why?" then he's a cat and dog.
So human civilization does not mean piling of woods and stones. Human civilization means brahma-jijñāsā, inquiry.
- Srila Prabhupada
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
WHY IS COACHING USEFUL?
I invite you to learn why coaching is important!
Perhaps you have heard people talking about it, or you have read articles about people turning to personal coaches to achieve success.
More and more, people from all walks of life are seeking the help of a personal coach to assist them and hold them accountable to reach the results they want.
You can achieve results faster with one of the skilled coaches, who are well-versed in success principles and know what it takes to become successful.
You may need someone who can see where you might be stuck to help you move forward to achieve the success you've always wanted, but have yet to achieve.
Not sure if it's for you? Accept a free trial session and see for yourself if this growing service that has helped thousands of people, is just the thing you need to achieve the success you desire.
It may be a time for you to get to know what many people are talking about, taking advantage of, and benefiting from!
You may contact me on akrura@gmail.com for a trial session.
Perhaps you have heard people talking about it, or you have read articles about people turning to personal coaches to achieve success.
More and more, people from all walks of life are seeking the help of a personal coach to assist them and hold them accountable to reach the results they want.
You can achieve results faster with one of the skilled coaches, who are well-versed in success principles and know what it takes to become successful.
You may need someone who can see where you might be stuck to help you move forward to achieve the success you've always wanted, but have yet to achieve.
Not sure if it's for you? Accept a free trial session and see for yourself if this growing service that has helped thousands of people, is just the thing you need to achieve the success you desire.
It may be a time for you to get to know what many people are talking about, taking advantage of, and benefiting from!
You may contact me on akrura@gmail.com for a trial session.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
DO YOU LIMIT YOURSELF BY THE WAY YOU THINK?
Most of the spiritual and success literature I know of teach us that we can improve our life if we change the way we think.
The mind that we posses is very powerful, and it has three main functions: thinking, feeling and willing (desiring). Bhagavad-gita teaches us that we are not the mind but the soul, who is above the mind and who has an ability to control the mind.
So we can positively influence all these three functions by the power of our intelligence and free will. We have an ability to observe these functions as if they belong to someone else. If that is true, then we can also use our power of choice to choose how we think, feel and will.
Intelligence that we posses and the soul that we are, are superior to the mind and therefore are stronger and can control it. It is simply a question of practice.
The mind is best controlled by the spiritual content. It can be a mantra or a prayer that we chant, it can be a story or a verse of wisdom, it can be a powerful question that completely re-directs our thinking to something positive, inspiring, enlightening, and uplifting.
Briefly speaking, you can choose to think, feel and will as a wise or saintly person, or choose to think, etc., as an ignorant and degraded man. The way you think influences your actions and your reactions to what you experience in life and therefore it influences your results and your happiness.
So the first task is to control the mind by engaging it positively with spiritual themes and activities.
The mind that we posses is very powerful, and it has three main functions: thinking, feeling and willing (desiring). Bhagavad-gita teaches us that we are not the mind but the soul, who is above the mind and who has an ability to control the mind.
So we can positively influence all these three functions by the power of our intelligence and free will. We have an ability to observe these functions as if they belong to someone else. If that is true, then we can also use our power of choice to choose how we think, feel and will.
Intelligence that we posses and the soul that we are, are superior to the mind and therefore are stronger and can control it. It is simply a question of practice.
The mind is best controlled by the spiritual content. It can be a mantra or a prayer that we chant, it can be a story or a verse of wisdom, it can be a powerful question that completely re-directs our thinking to something positive, inspiring, enlightening, and uplifting.
Briefly speaking, you can choose to think, feel and will as a wise or saintly person, or choose to think, etc., as an ignorant and degraded man. The way you think influences your actions and your reactions to what you experience in life and therefore it influences your results and your happiness.
So the first task is to control the mind by engaging it positively with spiritual themes and activities.
GIVE MORE THAN YOU RECEIVE
Ultimately, what shapes the meaning and value of our lives is not what we get but what we give.
If we can have a goal to find a way to add more value to people's lives, then we will not have to worry about success.
If we are constantly trying to make a give-and-take deal, we will struggle to prosper, both internally and externally.
Someone said, "The secret to living is giving."
We are not created to be selfish, yet we are.
But we can change this by a sincere, conscious effort.
We can achieve and get things, but deep down in our souls we have an urge to give and serve, not just to take.
If each day we can sincerely try to give something valuable to people around us, we will experience a life of deeper meaning and greater joy.
If we can have a goal to find a way to add more value to people's lives, then we will not have to worry about success.
If we are constantly trying to make a give-and-take deal, we will struggle to prosper, both internally and externally.
Someone said, "The secret to living is giving."
We are not created to be selfish, yet we are.
But we can change this by a sincere, conscious effort.
We can achieve and get things, but deep down in our souls we have an urge to give and serve, not just to take.
If each day we can sincerely try to give something valuable to people around us, we will experience a life of deeper meaning and greater joy.
Friday, August 13, 2010
PRABHUPADA VIDEO
I am watching this one hour video of Srila Prabhupada around the world. Check it out! I love it.
A TINGE OF BHAKTI
Srila Prabhupada writes in his commentary of the Fourth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam:
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura comments that these karma-kanda ritualistic ceremonies, although contaminated, contain touches of devotional service because whenever there is a performance of any yajna, Lord Vishnu is given a central position.
This is very important because even a little endeavor to please Lord Vishnu is bhakti and is of great value. A tinge of bhakti purifies the material nature of the performances, which by devotional service gradually come to the transcendental position. Therefore although such yajnas are superficially material activities, the results are transcendental. Such yajnas as Surya-yajna, Indra-yajna and Candra-yajna are performed in the names of the demigods, but these demigods are bodily parts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The demigods cannot accept sacrificial offerings for themselves, but they can accept them for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as a departmental tax collector of a government cannot collect taxes for his personal account but can realize them for the government. Any yajna performed with this complete knowledge and understanding is described in Bhagavad-gita as brahmarpanam, or a sacrifice offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since no one but the Supreme Lord can enjoy the results of sacrifice, the Lord says that He is the actual enjoyer of all sacrifices (bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]). Sacrifices should be performed with this view in mind.
...
One vivid example of this is Dhruva Maharaja, who took to meditation in the forest to achieve material benefit but ultimately became spiritually advanced and did not want any benediction for material profit. He was simply satisfied with the association of the Supreme Lord. Asaya means "determination." Generally a conditioned soul has the determination for material profit, but when these desires for material profit are satisfied through performance of yajna, one gradually achieves the spiritual platform. Then his life becomes perfect.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura comments that these karma-kanda ritualistic ceremonies, although contaminated, contain touches of devotional service because whenever there is a performance of any yajna, Lord Vishnu is given a central position.
This is very important because even a little endeavor to please Lord Vishnu is bhakti and is of great value. A tinge of bhakti purifies the material nature of the performances, which by devotional service gradually come to the transcendental position. Therefore although such yajnas are superficially material activities, the results are transcendental. Such yajnas as Surya-yajna, Indra-yajna and Candra-yajna are performed in the names of the demigods, but these demigods are bodily parts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The demigods cannot accept sacrificial offerings for themselves, but they can accept them for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as a departmental tax collector of a government cannot collect taxes for his personal account but can realize them for the government. Any yajna performed with this complete knowledge and understanding is described in Bhagavad-gita as brahmarpanam, or a sacrifice offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since no one but the Supreme Lord can enjoy the results of sacrifice, the Lord says that He is the actual enjoyer of all sacrifices (bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]). Sacrifices should be performed with this view in mind.
...
One vivid example of this is Dhruva Maharaja, who took to meditation in the forest to achieve material benefit but ultimately became spiritually advanced and did not want any benediction for material profit. He was simply satisfied with the association of the Supreme Lord. Asaya means "determination." Generally a conditioned soul has the determination for material profit, but when these desires for material profit are satisfied through performance of yajna, one gradually achieves the spiritual platform. Then his life becomes perfect.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
CHOICE MAP
Click on the image to enlarge.
Here you can learn how to use the map:
www.scribd.com/doc/28337985/Change-Your-Questions-Change-Your-Life
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
TRAINER
If I am going to be a life skills teacher and trainer I need to practice more than any of my students.
FEAR
Fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real.
When you can look a coming storm in the face without fear, you have mastered your life.
Release your fears to make room for possibility.
Why is it we're most afraid to do the one thing we need to do most?
When your burning desire for success is greater than your deepest fear of failure, you have the power to create valuable results in your life.
Fear stops us from loving and closes our hearts.
Replace fear with love.
Focus on love rather than fear. Anything IS possible!
Banish fear by just changing your thought.
What if fear didn't exist? How differently would you live your life today?
The fear of the storm is always worse than the storm itself.
Follow your heart - not your fears.
Fear of failure has stopped greatness in its tracks.
If you're going to use your imagination, imagine GOOD things happening!
The most important thing we can do each morning is wash away any negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
Instead of time spent worrying, imagine what we could have achieved if we’d
spent that time dreaming, planning and doing?
Many proudly say they don’t fear death, yet live their lives as if they fear living.
Fear can only be present when we're disconnected from God. Reconnect now by chanting His names.
When you can look a coming storm in the face without fear, you have mastered your life.
Release your fears to make room for possibility.
Why is it we're most afraid to do the one thing we need to do most?
When your burning desire for success is greater than your deepest fear of failure, you have the power to create valuable results in your life.
Fear stops us from loving and closes our hearts.
Replace fear with love.
Focus on love rather than fear. Anything IS possible!
Banish fear by just changing your thought.
What if fear didn't exist? How differently would you live your life today?
The fear of the storm is always worse than the storm itself.
Follow your heart - not your fears.
Fear of failure has stopped greatness in its tracks.
If you're going to use your imagination, imagine GOOD things happening!
The most important thing we can do each morning is wash away any negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
Instead of time spent worrying, imagine what we could have achieved if we’d
spent that time dreaming, planning and doing?
Many proudly say they don’t fear death, yet live their lives as if they fear living.
Fear can only be present when we're disconnected from God. Reconnect now by chanting His names.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Why Chant Hare Krishna?
by Jayadvaita Swami
from Back to Godhead magazine, May-June 1994
Here’s a page full of reasons. I’ll spare you the footnotes, but each reason is fully upheld by evidence from Vedic writings like Bhagavad-gita, the Upanisads, and the Puranas.
Chanting Hare Krishna awakens love of God.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings liberation as a side benefit along the way.
When you chant Hare Krishna, you automatically develop knowledge and detachment.
Chanting Hare Krishna gets you out of the endless cycle of birth and death.
It is the most effective means of self-realization in the present Age of Quarrel. Nothing else works nearly as well.
Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings.
By chanting Hare Krishna, you become free from all anxieties.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings you to self-realization—and shows you how to act as a self-realized soul.
It keeps you ever mindful of Krishna, the reservoir of pleasure.
There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. You can chant anywhere, any time, under any circumstances.
Krishna Himself is fully present in the transcendental sound of His name. And the more you chant, the more you realize it.
All other Vedic mantras are included in the chanting of Hare Krishna. So just by chanting this mantra, you get the benefit of all others.
Chanting Hare Krishna purifies not only you but every living entity around you. Whoever hears the chanting gets spiritual benefit.
A person who chants Hare Krishna develops all good qualities.
You can chant Hare Krishna softly for personal meditation or loudly with your family or friends. Both ways work.
Srila Prabhupada chanted Hare Krishna, and so did great souls in the past. So why not you?
It’s free. Chanting Hare Krishna never costs you money.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings the highest states of ecstasy.
There are no previous qualifications needed for chanting Hare Krishna. Young or old, anyone can chant—from any race, any religion, or any country of the world.
Even if you don’t understand the language of the mantra, it works anyway.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings relief from all miseries.
Chanting Hare Krishna is easy. When the best way is also the easiest, why make life hard for yourself?
Chanting Hare Krishna invokes spiritual peace—for you and for those around you.
When you chant Hare Krishna, Krishna Himself becomes pleased.
When you chant Hare Krishna, Krishna dances on your tongue.
By chanting Hare Krishna you can return to Krishna’s world, the eternal abode of full happiness and knowledge.
Chanting Hare Krishna frees you from the reactions of all past karma. Chanting Krishna’s name even once, purely and sincerely, can free you from the reactions of more karma than you could possibly incur.
Chanting Hare Krishna counteracts the sinful atmosphere of Kali-yuga, the present Age of Hypocrisy and Quarrel.
By chanting Hare Krishna you can relish at every step the full nectar that’s the real thirst of the soul.
The more you chant Hare Krishna, the better it gets.
If you look through all the Vedic scriptures, you’ll find nothing higher than the chanting of Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
from Back to Godhead magazine, May-June 1994
Here’s a page full of reasons. I’ll spare you the footnotes, but each reason is fully upheld by evidence from Vedic writings like Bhagavad-gita, the Upanisads, and the Puranas.
Chanting Hare Krishna awakens love of God.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings liberation as a side benefit along the way.
When you chant Hare Krishna, you automatically develop knowledge and detachment.
Chanting Hare Krishna gets you out of the endless cycle of birth and death.
It is the most effective means of self-realization in the present Age of Quarrel. Nothing else works nearly as well.
Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings.
By chanting Hare Krishna, you become free from all anxieties.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings you to self-realization—and shows you how to act as a self-realized soul.
It keeps you ever mindful of Krishna, the reservoir of pleasure.
There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. You can chant anywhere, any time, under any circumstances.
Krishna Himself is fully present in the transcendental sound of His name. And the more you chant, the more you realize it.
All other Vedic mantras are included in the chanting of Hare Krishna. So just by chanting this mantra, you get the benefit of all others.
Chanting Hare Krishna purifies not only you but every living entity around you. Whoever hears the chanting gets spiritual benefit.
A person who chants Hare Krishna develops all good qualities.
You can chant Hare Krishna softly for personal meditation or loudly with your family or friends. Both ways work.
Srila Prabhupada chanted Hare Krishna, and so did great souls in the past. So why not you?
It’s free. Chanting Hare Krishna never costs you money.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings the highest states of ecstasy.
There are no previous qualifications needed for chanting Hare Krishna. Young or old, anyone can chant—from any race, any religion, or any country of the world.
Even if you don’t understand the language of the mantra, it works anyway.
Chanting Hare Krishna brings relief from all miseries.
Chanting Hare Krishna is easy. When the best way is also the easiest, why make life hard for yourself?
Chanting Hare Krishna invokes spiritual peace—for you and for those around you.
When you chant Hare Krishna, Krishna Himself becomes pleased.
When you chant Hare Krishna, Krishna dances on your tongue.
By chanting Hare Krishna you can return to Krishna’s world, the eternal abode of full happiness and knowledge.
Chanting Hare Krishna frees you from the reactions of all past karma. Chanting Krishna’s name even once, purely and sincerely, can free you from the reactions of more karma than you could possibly incur.
Chanting Hare Krishna counteracts the sinful atmosphere of Kali-yuga, the present Age of Hypocrisy and Quarrel.
By chanting Hare Krishna you can relish at every step the full nectar that’s the real thirst of the soul.
The more you chant Hare Krishna, the better it gets.
If you look through all the Vedic scriptures, you’ll find nothing higher than the chanting of Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
NEVER MIND
Krsna sometimes became sick. So in Dvaraka many doctors came, and nobody could cure Him. Then Krsna suggested His own medicine, "If some of my devotees will give the dust of their feet on My head, then I'll be cured." Then so many devotees, including Narada Muni, were approached to give the dust of their feet, because Krsna is suffering. All of them said, "No, how can I give my dust of my feet? Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
But when the gopis were approached, when they heard that Krsna is sick, and He's in an urgent necessity of the dust of His devotees' feet, immediately they began to give: "Take it, take it immediately." They did not consider that by giving the dust of their feet to Krsna they will go to hell. "Never mind, I shall go to hell, it doesn't matter, but let Krsna be cured." That is their first consideration.
So this is the topmost devotee, prepared to do anything for Krsna, without any consideration. That is a pure devotee. There should be no personal desire. That should be zero. One should simply try to please Krsna. There is no other consideration. Only to satisfy Krsna. That is pure bhakti, pure devotion.
But when the gopis were approached, when they heard that Krsna is sick, and He's in an urgent necessity of the dust of His devotees' feet, immediately they began to give: "Take it, take it immediately." They did not consider that by giving the dust of their feet to Krsna they will go to hell. "Never mind, I shall go to hell, it doesn't matter, but let Krsna be cured." That is their first consideration.
So this is the topmost devotee, prepared to do anything for Krsna, without any consideration. That is a pure devotee. There should be no personal desire. That should be zero. One should simply try to please Krsna. There is no other consideration. Only to satisfy Krsna. That is pure bhakti, pure devotion.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
IT CAN BE REVIVED
The spiritual consciousness of the sleeping conditioned soul can be revieved by the transcendental sound of the maha-mantra:
Spiritual existence is eternal, whereas the body is not. It is said that the spiritual atmosphere is avyakta, unmanifest. How, then, can it be manifest for us? Making the unmanifest manifest is this very process, of Krsna consciousness. According to Padma Purana,
atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
[Cc. Madhya 17.136]
"No one can understand Krsna as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him."
In this verse, the word indriyaih means "the senses." We have five senses for gathering knowledge (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin), and five senses for working (voice, hands, legs, genitals, and anus). These ten senses are under the control of the mind. It is stated in this verse that with these dull material senses, we cannot understand Krsna's name, form, and so forth. Why is this? Krsna is completely spiritual, and He is also absolute. Therefore His name, form, qualities, and paraphernalia are also spiritual.
Due to material conditioning, or material bondage, we cannot presently understand what is spiritual, but this ignorance can be removed by chanting Hare Krsna. If a man is sleeping, he can be awakened by sound vibration. You can call him, "Come on, it's time to get up!" Although the person is unconscious, hearing is so prominent that even a sleeping man can be awakened by sound vibration. Similarly, overpowered by this material conditioning, our spiritual consciousness is presently sleeping, but it can be revived by this transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
The Path of Perfection
Spiritual existence is eternal, whereas the body is not. It is said that the spiritual atmosphere is avyakta, unmanifest. How, then, can it be manifest for us? Making the unmanifest manifest is this very process, of Krsna consciousness. According to Padma Purana,
atah sri-krsna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
[Cc. Madhya 17.136]
"No one can understand Krsna as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him."
In this verse, the word indriyaih means "the senses." We have five senses for gathering knowledge (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin), and five senses for working (voice, hands, legs, genitals, and anus). These ten senses are under the control of the mind. It is stated in this verse that with these dull material senses, we cannot understand Krsna's name, form, and so forth. Why is this? Krsna is completely spiritual, and He is also absolute. Therefore His name, form, qualities, and paraphernalia are also spiritual.
Due to material conditioning, or material bondage, we cannot presently understand what is spiritual, but this ignorance can be removed by chanting Hare Krsna. If a man is sleeping, he can be awakened by sound vibration. You can call him, "Come on, it's time to get up!" Although the person is unconscious, hearing is so prominent that even a sleeping man can be awakened by sound vibration. Similarly, overpowered by this material conditioning, our spiritual consciousness is presently sleeping, but it can be revived by this transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
The Path of Perfection
Friday, August 6, 2010
FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS
This is a conversation I recently had with a devotee. You might find in it something useful or interesting for you.
Devotee: How to deal with situations that are out of control and how to deal with failures?
Akrura dasa: There is a way to do anything effectvelly but first we need to change our perception of what we experience.
D: Yes, but how can I change what I'm forced to see by others?
A: You can change how you see it. If you see an event with the eyes of knowledge, everything changes. What we see is meant to teach us something not to upset us.
D: Failure too?
A: There is no failure, there is only feedback. Failure means that we should learn something and try another way.
D: But what about the failure which damages one's life or career too?
A: Failure is a pillar of success. One failure cannot damage your whole life or career.
D: Is it to try again or try another way?
A: Yes, try again, try another way, try somewhere else, there are so many options.
D: And the risk?
A: Risk is always there, whatever we do.
D: Should I call it fear of failure?
A: You can get free from any fear.
D: Do you ever fail, in anything? If so, how does it feel?
A: I fail all the time, but I take it as an opportunity.
D: For getting better?
A: Yes. Thats the nature of life, sometimes we fail sometimes we succeed. But if you make your connection with God stronger, failure helps you grow.
D: How do we know what God wants for us?
A: God wants us to be happy and to learn how to take care of ourselves intelligently.
D: Why? No one wants and can bear. Everyone's there to cheat and use us. Why God is so good?
A: Because we are his children. He cares about us.
D: And what good can I do for God, I'm so tiny?
A: You can chant His name. That will please Him. You have ears and mouth.
D: Yes, I have.
A: You don't need a big brain or mig muscles to be able to please Him. Krsna cares about us. He is in our heart as a Supersoul or conscience and he is trying to guide us on the right path. He is not only enjoying in the spiritual world. He is making so many arrangements that we can go back to Him and be eternally happy.
D: And the tough times we face on this path?
A:Part of those arrangements are the challanges we face in life. They are meant to help us become stronger and wiser and spiritually oriented. They are not problems but opportunities.
D: You cannot call everything an opportunity. Some things are exceptions.
A: Like what?
D: Like one's mother getting mad or father kicked out of job every three months. And so many people determined to ruin one's life.
A: You always have a choice how to react to what happens.
D: What must be the ideal reaction?
A: An ideal reaction is wise, in harmony with a spiritual perception of events.
D: I can't understand why Hare Krishna people are so determined to help others, even Krishna, or Srila Prabhupada. What necessity he had to go to America, facing such a tough place?
A: It is compassion.
D: What did you find so interesting in Krishna consciousness that being from the West you can do what an Indian-born is hesitating to do?
A: I have found everything. It is a universal knowledge. It is a whole culture. It gives answers to all questions. It is the best thing on the planet, and beyond.
D: You must have met superb people. I don't meet them these days. Just the opposite.
A: I would recommend, if I may, that you do something for your own good. There are so many imperfections in this world. Do you want to spend the rest of your life meditating on them?
D: No.
A: We cannot right all the wrongs. The only person we can change is us. You can find someone whom you can trust and associate with them. You can find devotees who preach the holy name. They love people and help people.
D: How to recognise them, like grain from the husk?
A: I believe you have a compass for that. You have an ability to see how the person is.
D: But how to get an x-ray of his/her intentions and core inner heart?
A: Remain alert and you will see symptoms.
D: With everyone?
A: Yes. No blind faith.
D: Even with you?
A: Yes. Trust is not cheap. It is precious. We choose to trust others but at the same time we are cautious. That's intelligent.
D: Like boarding a bus, an example that Srila Prabhupada gave. We trust the driver when we get onto a bus. Without trust we can't get anywhere. But it must be placed in an authorised person. I've listened to at least 20% of Srila Prabhupada's recordings but the problem is that I can't get into the world he shows, like an ideal fairy world.
A: You can do anything you want provided God also approves it.
D: I don't know why I have been born with "envy" of God. Yes I admit it. That's why I'm here.
A: You can turn around your life positively. We are all imperfect but we are on our way forward. We will improve gradually. Be neither too soft nor too hard on yourself. Find a balance.
D: I was once a good guy, one that every mother wanted in her home, but I got into wrong company. They told me things that spoiled my innocence. I did nonsense things and I'm full of guilt. That stops me from becoming Krishna conscious. I regret all this. My peers used to mock me because I never used their language, and they made me to be like them, with a brain full of rubbish.
A: Past you cannot change but you can positively influence your present and your future. Now, my question to you is, where do you want to go from here?
D: Home, back to Krsna.
A: Are you ready to pay the price?
D: Yes! But maybe I can't face the truth, the Supreme Truth. And maybe I don't want to see the truth of this world.
A: Is that really true?
D: Everything from TV to Internet brings out an untrue image of the world. And when I chant or meet devotees I feel uneasy.
A: You sound to me like a person who IS ready to face the truth.
D: It is very difficult to accept a perception beyond our eyes and mind. It is possible when the spiritual master gives special spiritual eye. And I never got any.
A: Your success depends mainly on you and others are here to help you. You are 100 percent responsible for your life. Your sincere effort plus Krsna's mercy - combination of the two brings success.
D: And what is the criteria that sometimes God is merciful and sometimes not?
A: He is always merciful. We just need to become an expert receiver.
D: I've seen times when people put their 100% yet never get anything. Is it also a mercy?
A: Yes.
D: How?
A: External result is not a measure.
D: Then what?
A: Internal growth is a result.
D: Growth of consciousness?
A: By your service you come closer to God. You develop saintly qualities. You change consciousness. You become happy.
D: Even through failure?
A: There is no failure. There is only learning what works and what does not.
D: If one never tried and failed ... I really need to change my vision.
A: Exactly! Get new eyes, then the change will start. Slowly but surely.
D: Can you experience God or Krsna personally?
A: Yes.
D: Can you understand what he wants for you?
A: I believe i can but He also considers what we want. We are not machines.
D: Does he really?
A: Oh yes! He is the Supreme Person so He is supremely personal. That means he considers people's or living beings' desires. Krsna is the key to our success and happiness.
D: I used to talk to Him when i was a child. I never knew anything about spirituality, God or soul. All I knew was knowledge, wisdom and intelligence. And in exam days I used to see in my mind my notebooks pages with exact page number. Someone told me answers to every question. And now I have come to realise it was Him. But now my heart is silent, deserted and cold, full of vengeance, frustation and lust. It is not a habitable place for Him, so He keeps quiet and doesn't speak much.
A. It will be ok. Make a decision, and your journey will start again.
D: I want to change and I will.
A: There is an army of people who want and can help you - the whole parampara, pure devotees. There is no way you will not succeed. The only question is how badly do you want it and how fed up you are with this world and your own imperfection.
D: I am.
A: Then you are ready.
D: But I fear of myself for one reason, that I will again forget God and everything as soon as I achieve something. This happened in the past. God gave me chances again and again, but I took his help and forgot Him. This is my imperfection.
A: What will be different this time? What will you do to help yourself?
D: I don't know exactly, but I can give a try. I have made so many promises to myself every new year, this day or that day, and broken them all. So I don't trust myself much.
A: Small victories over lower self will make you stronger and more self confident.
D: But I'm very very weak spiritually.
A: That's ok.
D: Can i make it?
A: Now you will become strong, gradually.
D: Yes, it cannot be overnight.
A: Yes, practice every day.
D: The only thing I can do is to put small steps in the right direction than make huge leaps.
A: The secret of great success is what you do every single day and every single hour.
D: Yes, I agree! If that worked for failure, it will do for success too.
A: Now take one thing you want to commit to until the next session. One thing you want to do every day that will help you succeed.
D: Ok.
Devotee: How to deal with situations that are out of control and how to deal with failures?
Akrura dasa: There is a way to do anything effectvelly but first we need to change our perception of what we experience.
D: Yes, but how can I change what I'm forced to see by others?
A: You can change how you see it. If you see an event with the eyes of knowledge, everything changes. What we see is meant to teach us something not to upset us.
D: Failure too?
A: There is no failure, there is only feedback. Failure means that we should learn something and try another way.
D: But what about the failure which damages one's life or career too?
A: Failure is a pillar of success. One failure cannot damage your whole life or career.
D: Is it to try again or try another way?
A: Yes, try again, try another way, try somewhere else, there are so many options.
D: And the risk?
A: Risk is always there, whatever we do.
D: Should I call it fear of failure?
A: You can get free from any fear.
D: Do you ever fail, in anything? If so, how does it feel?
A: I fail all the time, but I take it as an opportunity.
D: For getting better?
A: Yes. Thats the nature of life, sometimes we fail sometimes we succeed. But if you make your connection with God stronger, failure helps you grow.
D: How do we know what God wants for us?
A: God wants us to be happy and to learn how to take care of ourselves intelligently.
D: Why? No one wants and can bear. Everyone's there to cheat and use us. Why God is so good?
A: Because we are his children. He cares about us.
D: And what good can I do for God, I'm so tiny?
A: You can chant His name. That will please Him. You have ears and mouth.
D: Yes, I have.
A: You don't need a big brain or mig muscles to be able to please Him. Krsna cares about us. He is in our heart as a Supersoul or conscience and he is trying to guide us on the right path. He is not only enjoying in the spiritual world. He is making so many arrangements that we can go back to Him and be eternally happy.
D: And the tough times we face on this path?
A:Part of those arrangements are the challanges we face in life. They are meant to help us become stronger and wiser and spiritually oriented. They are not problems but opportunities.
D: You cannot call everything an opportunity. Some things are exceptions.
A: Like what?
D: Like one's mother getting mad or father kicked out of job every three months. And so many people determined to ruin one's life.
A: You always have a choice how to react to what happens.
D: What must be the ideal reaction?
A: An ideal reaction is wise, in harmony with a spiritual perception of events.
D: I can't understand why Hare Krishna people are so determined to help others, even Krishna, or Srila Prabhupada. What necessity he had to go to America, facing such a tough place?
A: It is compassion.
D: What did you find so interesting in Krishna consciousness that being from the West you can do what an Indian-born is hesitating to do?
A: I have found everything. It is a universal knowledge. It is a whole culture. It gives answers to all questions. It is the best thing on the planet, and beyond.
D: You must have met superb people. I don't meet them these days. Just the opposite.
A: I would recommend, if I may, that you do something for your own good. There are so many imperfections in this world. Do you want to spend the rest of your life meditating on them?
D: No.
A: We cannot right all the wrongs. The only person we can change is us. You can find someone whom you can trust and associate with them. You can find devotees who preach the holy name. They love people and help people.
D: How to recognise them, like grain from the husk?
A: I believe you have a compass for that. You have an ability to see how the person is.
D: But how to get an x-ray of his/her intentions and core inner heart?
A: Remain alert and you will see symptoms.
D: With everyone?
A: Yes. No blind faith.
D: Even with you?
A: Yes. Trust is not cheap. It is precious. We choose to trust others but at the same time we are cautious. That's intelligent.
D: Like boarding a bus, an example that Srila Prabhupada gave. We trust the driver when we get onto a bus. Without trust we can't get anywhere. But it must be placed in an authorised person. I've listened to at least 20% of Srila Prabhupada's recordings but the problem is that I can't get into the world he shows, like an ideal fairy world.
A: You can do anything you want provided God also approves it.
D: I don't know why I have been born with "envy" of God. Yes I admit it. That's why I'm here.
A: You can turn around your life positively. We are all imperfect but we are on our way forward. We will improve gradually. Be neither too soft nor too hard on yourself. Find a balance.
D: I was once a good guy, one that every mother wanted in her home, but I got into wrong company. They told me things that spoiled my innocence. I did nonsense things and I'm full of guilt. That stops me from becoming Krishna conscious. I regret all this. My peers used to mock me because I never used their language, and they made me to be like them, with a brain full of rubbish.
A: Past you cannot change but you can positively influence your present and your future. Now, my question to you is, where do you want to go from here?
D: Home, back to Krsna.
A: Are you ready to pay the price?
D: Yes! But maybe I can't face the truth, the Supreme Truth. And maybe I don't want to see the truth of this world.
A: Is that really true?
D: Everything from TV to Internet brings out an untrue image of the world. And when I chant or meet devotees I feel uneasy.
A: You sound to me like a person who IS ready to face the truth.
D: It is very difficult to accept a perception beyond our eyes and mind. It is possible when the spiritual master gives special spiritual eye. And I never got any.
A: Your success depends mainly on you and others are here to help you. You are 100 percent responsible for your life. Your sincere effort plus Krsna's mercy - combination of the two brings success.
D: And what is the criteria that sometimes God is merciful and sometimes not?
A: He is always merciful. We just need to become an expert receiver.
D: I've seen times when people put their 100% yet never get anything. Is it also a mercy?
A: Yes.
D: How?
A: External result is not a measure.
D: Then what?
A: Internal growth is a result.
D: Growth of consciousness?
A: By your service you come closer to God. You develop saintly qualities. You change consciousness. You become happy.
D: Even through failure?
A: There is no failure. There is only learning what works and what does not.
D: If one never tried and failed ... I really need to change my vision.
A: Exactly! Get new eyes, then the change will start. Slowly but surely.
D: Can you experience God or Krsna personally?
A: Yes.
D: Can you understand what he wants for you?
A: I believe i can but He also considers what we want. We are not machines.
D: Does he really?
A: Oh yes! He is the Supreme Person so He is supremely personal. That means he considers people's or living beings' desires. Krsna is the key to our success and happiness.
D: I used to talk to Him when i was a child. I never knew anything about spirituality, God or soul. All I knew was knowledge, wisdom and intelligence. And in exam days I used to see in my mind my notebooks pages with exact page number. Someone told me answers to every question. And now I have come to realise it was Him. But now my heart is silent, deserted and cold, full of vengeance, frustation and lust. It is not a habitable place for Him, so He keeps quiet and doesn't speak much.
A. It will be ok. Make a decision, and your journey will start again.
D: I want to change and I will.
A: There is an army of people who want and can help you - the whole parampara, pure devotees. There is no way you will not succeed. The only question is how badly do you want it and how fed up you are with this world and your own imperfection.
D: I am.
A: Then you are ready.
D: But I fear of myself for one reason, that I will again forget God and everything as soon as I achieve something. This happened in the past. God gave me chances again and again, but I took his help and forgot Him. This is my imperfection.
A: What will be different this time? What will you do to help yourself?
D: I don't know exactly, but I can give a try. I have made so many promises to myself every new year, this day or that day, and broken them all. So I don't trust myself much.
A: Small victories over lower self will make you stronger and more self confident.
D: But I'm very very weak spiritually.
A: That's ok.
D: Can i make it?
A: Now you will become strong, gradually.
D: Yes, it cannot be overnight.
A: Yes, practice every day.
D: The only thing I can do is to put small steps in the right direction than make huge leaps.
A: The secret of great success is what you do every single day and every single hour.
D: Yes, I agree! If that worked for failure, it will do for success too.
A: Now take one thing you want to commit to until the next session. One thing you want to do every day that will help you succeed.
D: Ok.
KNOWLEDGE HELPS
Knowledge about the holy name helps us to develop a greater faith in the name and chant more enthusiastically.
The Holy Name Revives One's Dormant, Eternal Krsna Consciousness
As a snake-bitten man is brought back to consciousness by the chanting of certain mantras, so one in the unconscious state of material life can be revived by hearing the maha-mantra:
In the Garuda Purana the stress on hearing is expressed very nicely. It is said there: "The state of conditioned life in the material world is just like a man Iying unconscious, having been bitten by a snake. This is because both such unconscious states can be ended by the sound of a mantra." When a man is snake-bitten he does not die immediately, but first becomes unconscious and remains in a comatose condition. Anyone who is in the material world is also sleeping, as he is ignorant of his actual self or his actual duty and his relationship with God. So materialistic life means that one is bitten by the snake of maya, illusion, and thus, without any Krsna consciousness, he is almost dead. Now, the so-called dead man bitten by a snake can be brought back again to life by the chanting of some mantra. There are expert chanters of these mantras who can perform this feat. Similarly, one can be brought back into Krsna consciousness from the deadly unconscious state of material life by hearing of the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
The Nectar of Devotion
In the Garuda Purana the stress on hearing is expressed very nicely. It is said there: "The state of conditioned life in the material world is just like a man Iying unconscious, having been bitten by a snake. This is because both such unconscious states can be ended by the sound of a mantra." When a man is snake-bitten he does not die immediately, but first becomes unconscious and remains in a comatose condition. Anyone who is in the material world is also sleeping, as he is ignorant of his actual self or his actual duty and his relationship with God. So materialistic life means that one is bitten by the snake of maya, illusion, and thus, without any Krsna consciousness, he is almost dead. Now, the so-called dead man bitten by a snake can be brought back again to life by the chanting of some mantra. There are expert chanters of these mantras who can perform this feat. Similarly, one can be brought back into Krsna consciousness from the deadly unconscious state of material life by hearing of the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
The Nectar of Devotion
Thursday, August 5, 2010
TOP 12 QUESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
The questions on the Top 12 List evolved out of Marilee Adams' work with coaching clients and workshop participants over many years. The list can be used in at least three ways:
First, it is a logical sequence of questions to help you work through any situation you might want to change or improve.
Second, you might just want to scan the list for questions you’ve been missing.
Third, you can turn to it when you’re looking for just the right question to emphasize in a particular situation.
Within this list are questions that are applicable to a variety of life’s challenges. The goal is to integrate these questions into your everyday thinking. Then, when a challenge arises, you’ll be able to easily recall some of them. Not every question applies to every situation. That’s why you’ll want to develop a collection of your favorites and work with them on a regular basis. These questions can open and change your mind. They allow you to unveil new choices, options, and possibilities you might otherwise have missed.
Here’s the list:
1. What do I want?
2. What are my choices?
3. What assumptions am I making?
4. What am I responsible for?
5. How else can I think about this?
6. What is the other person thinking, feeling, needing, and wanting?
7. What am I missing or avoiding?
8. What can I learn?
...from this person or situation?
...from this mistake or failure?
...from this success?
9. What questions should I ask (myself or others?)
10. What action steps make the most sense?
11. How can I turn this into a win-win?
12. What is possible?
Keep this list in a handy place where you can refer to it whenever you feel stuck, want new alternatives, or a change.
First, it is a logical sequence of questions to help you work through any situation you might want to change or improve.
Second, you might just want to scan the list for questions you’ve been missing.
Third, you can turn to it when you’re looking for just the right question to emphasize in a particular situation.
Within this list are questions that are applicable to a variety of life’s challenges. The goal is to integrate these questions into your everyday thinking. Then, when a challenge arises, you’ll be able to easily recall some of them. Not every question applies to every situation. That’s why you’ll want to develop a collection of your favorites and work with them on a regular basis. These questions can open and change your mind. They allow you to unveil new choices, options, and possibilities you might otherwise have missed.
Here’s the list:
1. What do I want?
2. What are my choices?
3. What assumptions am I making?
4. What am I responsible for?
5. How else can I think about this?
6. What is the other person thinking, feeling, needing, and wanting?
7. What am I missing or avoiding?
8. What can I learn?
...from this person or situation?
...from this mistake or failure?
...from this success?
9. What questions should I ask (myself or others?)
10. What action steps make the most sense?
11. How can I turn this into a win-win?
12. What is possible?
Keep this list in a handy place where you can refer to it whenever you feel stuck, want new alternatives, or a change.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
SELF TALK
Powerful influence on our attitude and personality is what you we to ourself within the mind, and what we believe to be true.
It is not what happens to us, but how we respond internally to what happens to us, that determine our thoughts and feelings, our mental strength, and, ultimately, our actions.
By controlling our inner dialogue, or “self-talk,” we can positively influence every other dimension of our life.
We are continually faced with challenges and difficulties, with problems, with temporary setbacks and defeats.
They are an inevitable part of life.
But, as we draw upon our resources to respond effectively and intelligently to each challenge, we grow and become a stronger and better person.
In fact, without those setbacks, we could not have learned what we needed to know and developed the qualities of character that we need in order to progress.
Much of our ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life.
One of the characteristics of advanced human beings is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary disappointments and defeats, and they accept them as a normal and natural part of life.
They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when problems come, advanced people learn from them, take action, and continue onward in the direction of achieving the ultimate goal of life.
It is not what happens to us, but how we respond internally to what happens to us, that determine our thoughts and feelings, our mental strength, and, ultimately, our actions.
By controlling our inner dialogue, or “self-talk,” we can positively influence every other dimension of our life.
We are continually faced with challenges and difficulties, with problems, with temporary setbacks and defeats.
They are an inevitable part of life.
But, as we draw upon our resources to respond effectively and intelligently to each challenge, we grow and become a stronger and better person.
In fact, without those setbacks, we could not have learned what we needed to know and developed the qualities of character that we need in order to progress.
Much of our ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life.
One of the characteristics of advanced human beings is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary disappointments and defeats, and they accept them as a normal and natural part of life.
They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when problems come, advanced people learn from them, take action, and continue onward in the direction of achieving the ultimate goal of life.
Monday, August 2, 2010
ADVERSITY
Adversity is an opportunity, not an excuse.
The more you worry, the less you dream. Dreaming is more fun.
You can only do one thing at any time - dream, plan or worry.
Adversity is a step to something greater, not a wall to stop progress.
If you're going through a rough time, God is preparing you for something greater.
Adversity is an opportunity meant to shape you into something greater.
We stumble, we fall, we get back up again.
When was the last time worry ever solved a problem?
The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.
Nobody's perfect. We all fall down. What matters most is how quickly we get back up, learn from our mistakes and move on.
We will go through pain in our life. How we choose to respond to it is our choice.
Nothing eliminates pain and difficulty in our life faster than a greater purpose.
If you keep your goal in your heart, no road will be too long or too rocky.
Things only happen to elicit the reaction to something we need to change.
Adversity forces us to focus on things we need to learn.
Adversity can be turned to opportunity simply by adjusting our perception and attitude.
In retrospect, some of the greatest blessings in my life, have come from adversity.
Adversity is a part of any worthwhile adventure. It's a matter of how badly you want your dream!
Adversity happens to everyone. It is not an excuse for abandoning your dream.
Adversity could be the greatest gift in our life, in retrospect.
Adversity provides an opportunity to remember who we are and what's important.
Allow adversity to be your teacher.
Our strength and resilience is always in direct proportion to our adversity.
Adversity provides the opportunity for the best part of us to shine. Dig deep.
ALL people have adversity. What separates the good from the great is how we choose to react to it.
You can’t achieve greatness without first befriending its gatekeeper, adversity.
Feeling stuck? The best way to get unstuck is to go do something for someone else.
The more you worry, the less you dream. Dreaming is more fun.
You can only do one thing at any time - dream, plan or worry.
Adversity is a step to something greater, not a wall to stop progress.
If you're going through a rough time, God is preparing you for something greater.
Adversity is an opportunity meant to shape you into something greater.
We stumble, we fall, we get back up again.
When was the last time worry ever solved a problem?
The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.
Nobody's perfect. We all fall down. What matters most is how quickly we get back up, learn from our mistakes and move on.
We will go through pain in our life. How we choose to respond to it is our choice.
Nothing eliminates pain and difficulty in our life faster than a greater purpose.
If you keep your goal in your heart, no road will be too long or too rocky.
Things only happen to elicit the reaction to something we need to change.
Adversity forces us to focus on things we need to learn.
Adversity can be turned to opportunity simply by adjusting our perception and attitude.
In retrospect, some of the greatest blessings in my life, have come from adversity.
Adversity is a part of any worthwhile adventure. It's a matter of how badly you want your dream!
Adversity happens to everyone. It is not an excuse for abandoning your dream.
Adversity could be the greatest gift in our life, in retrospect.
Adversity provides an opportunity to remember who we are and what's important.
Allow adversity to be your teacher.
Our strength and resilience is always in direct proportion to our adversity.
Adversity provides the opportunity for the best part of us to shine. Dig deep.
ALL people have adversity. What separates the good from the great is how we choose to react to it.
You can’t achieve greatness without first befriending its gatekeeper, adversity.
Feeling stuck? The best way to get unstuck is to go do something for someone else.
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