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Friday, September 30, 2011
DISCOVER AND ESTABLISH MEANING
In a Gita Coaching session, through asking important questions about what you want, who you are, your identity, core values and the purpose of your life, you will be able to reconnect with a sense of meaning.
For some people, their core value is love. If that is also true for you, then through a process of understanding what love means to you, you may be able to see how you could begin to apply it in your life.
You may start to invest more time and energy in the people that are close to you or that are dear to you. If you are a leader, you may begin to take a genuine interest in the development of your people. You may commit to doing a daily check-in to see how you are going to apply love specifically each day.
Probably the most significant crisis in society and the work environment today is a crisis in meaning.
In 2004 Time magazine reported that approximately 75–90 percent of all visits to primary care doctors are for stress-related problems, with job stress being the leading source.
The Health and Safety Executive stated that work-related stress costs society about £3.7 billion every year.
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health in America reports that ‘Everyone will, at some time in their life, be affected by depression – their own or someone else’s.’
So many of the planks on which previously life was built have fallen away or become unbalanced. Our modern society suffers from ‘the virus of fragmentation’. The break-up of the traditional family, and the resultant broken bonds between children, adults and the elderly, are well documented and familiar to us all.
Societal values are often driven by individual preferences and choices, which result in greed and selfishness. The future seems ever more uncertain and fearful.
One of the fundamental human needs, as part of a balanced and fulfilled life, is to have a clear sense of meaning.
Coaching helps people reconnect with what is most important for them by clarifying their vision, mission and values. A coach can then ensure that this becomes the inspiration to drive both their work and life forward.
For some people, their core value is love. If that is also true for you, then through a process of understanding what love means to you, you may be able to see how you could begin to apply it in your life.
You may start to invest more time and energy in the people that are close to you or that are dear to you. If you are a leader, you may begin to take a genuine interest in the development of your people. You may commit to doing a daily check-in to see how you are going to apply love specifically each day.
Probably the most significant crisis in society and the work environment today is a crisis in meaning.
In 2004 Time magazine reported that approximately 75–90 percent of all visits to primary care doctors are for stress-related problems, with job stress being the leading source.
The Health and Safety Executive stated that work-related stress costs society about £3.7 billion every year.
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health in America reports that ‘Everyone will, at some time in their life, be affected by depression – their own or someone else’s.’
So many of the planks on which previously life was built have fallen away or become unbalanced. Our modern society suffers from ‘the virus of fragmentation’. The break-up of the traditional family, and the resultant broken bonds between children, adults and the elderly, are well documented and familiar to us all.
Societal values are often driven by individual preferences and choices, which result in greed and selfishness. The future seems ever more uncertain and fearful.
One of the fundamental human needs, as part of a balanced and fulfilled life, is to have a clear sense of meaning.
Coaching helps people reconnect with what is most important for them by clarifying their vision, mission and values. A coach can then ensure that this becomes the inspiration to drive both their work and life forward.
CREATING COMMITMENT
Gita Coaching will help you in going beyond what you think is possible for your life and service.
Through effective coaching, you can tap into the power of your commitment, which will unleash your inherent abilities.
Until we commit, there is hesitancy and ineffectiveness. The moment we definitely commit ourselves, then providence tends to move too.
When we commit, all sorts of things occur to help us that would have probably never occurred.
A whole stream of opportunities issues from the decision to commit.
"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Gita Coaching helps to create commitment by impacting your clarity and determination.
As you explore your reality, you are faced with a test of your own commitment about different aspects of your life.
By staying open and honest, you can identify blocks that may have prevented you from taking previous action, such as cynicism, anxiety or a lack of confidence.
By resolving these issues, a new level of commitment is generated, enabling you to take steps that you were procrastinating.
And you are able to move from a position of ‘could do’ to ‘will do’, from ‘problem’ to ‘project’ and from 'powerless’ to ‘powerful’.
Through effective coaching, you can tap into the power of your commitment, which will unleash your inherent abilities.
Until we commit, there is hesitancy and ineffectiveness. The moment we definitely commit ourselves, then providence tends to move too.
When we commit, all sorts of things occur to help us that would have probably never occurred.
A whole stream of opportunities issues from the decision to commit.
"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Gita Coaching helps to create commitment by impacting your clarity and determination.
As you explore your reality, you are faced with a test of your own commitment about different aspects of your life.
By staying open and honest, you can identify blocks that may have prevented you from taking previous action, such as cynicism, anxiety or a lack of confidence.
By resolving these issues, a new level of commitment is generated, enabling you to take steps that you were procrastinating.
And you are able to move from a position of ‘could do’ to ‘will do’, from ‘problem’ to ‘project’ and from 'powerless’ to ‘powerful’.
BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED
Before you get married, explore with your partner these questions. It can help you make a better decision and have a successful marriage.
PRE-MARITAL QUESTIONS
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/pre-marital-questions
PDF download is here:
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/sites/vaisnavafamilyresources.org/files/Premaritalquestions-VFR-2011.pdf
This is a Marriage Quiz for your marriage success.
PRE-MARITAL QUESTIONS
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/pre-marital-questions
PDF download is here:
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/sites/vaisnavafamilyresources.org/files/Premaritalquestions-VFR-2011.pdf
This is a Marriage Quiz for your marriage success.
VALUABLE DEVOTEE ARTICLES
Valuable devotee articles on family and personal effectiveness (click on the link):
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/articles
http://www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org/articles
GAINING VALUABLE INSIGHTS
One of the great values of Gita Coaching is to enable us to face our current reality clearly in order to create the possibility for new insights to take place.
The capacity of devotees to solve their own problems and move forward continues to amaze me.
Gita Coaching provides the opportunity for a devotee to gain new insights into his strengths and improvement areas, what’s working and what isn’t, and what he does and doesn’t want.
An insight is when we see something in a new way or uncover something we were previously unaware of.
It is a way of seeing the world with a new, fresh perspective, and can result in new options, providing relief, or even making life-changing decisions.
Gaining fresh insight is like clearing a fog.
As we dig down to a deeper level of awareness within ourselves, realizations that may have been sitting there for a long time can become uncovered and used to enhance our progress.
The capacity of devotees to solve their own problems and move forward continues to amaze me.
Gita Coaching provides the opportunity for a devotee to gain new insights into his strengths and improvement areas, what’s working and what isn’t, and what he does and doesn’t want.
An insight is when we see something in a new way or uncover something we were previously unaware of.
It is a way of seeing the world with a new, fresh perspective, and can result in new options, providing relief, or even making life-changing decisions.
Gaining fresh insight is like clearing a fog.
As we dig down to a deeper level of awareness within ourselves, realizations that may have been sitting there for a long time can become uncovered and used to enhance our progress.
RAISING AWARENESS
The power and effectiveness of Gita Coaching comes from helping a devotee raise his awareness of his goals, current reality, possible options and action steps.
In many cases the mere act of becoming more aware of what is going on leads to change.
By helping a devotee stop and think, and shine the light of awareness on his situation, a Gita Coach can help him to see things more clearly, resolve outstanding issues and take conscious steps forward, being sure that he has responsibly and thoroughly explored his situation.
In many cases the mere act of becoming more aware of what is going on leads to change.
By helping a devotee stop and think, and shine the light of awareness on his situation, a Gita Coach can help him to see things more clearly, resolve outstanding issues and take conscious steps forward, being sure that he has responsibly and thoroughly explored his situation.
GITA COACHING AND HIGH PERFORMANCE
Gita Coaching provides the necessary support and reflection time to optimize your performance and satisfaction in any area of life.
If devotees are satisfied in their service, they will be more productive and effective.
Srila Prabhupada instructed:
If devotees are satisfied in their service, they will be more productive and effective.
Srila Prabhupada instructed:
Now conduct your
preaching in such a way that when anyone becomes attracted to get something
from us he may be induced or allured into serving Krishna in his own way as he
likes to do it, not being forced to do something else he may not like to do,
that will discourage him and no intelligent men will come.
Letter 1972
The secret will be to engage them as they like to be
engaged, that is, supposing I have got some education, I am business student,
or I have got some skill or talent, I am typist or musician or something like
that, so I will like to utilize these things for Krishna only if I am
encouraged in a certain way, very tactfully, and I must not be discouraged by
too much forcing me at first to accept everything of shaving the head, rising
very early, going for street sankirtana, like that. No, let me come gradually,
let me study also Krishna Consciousness and see how it is practical and
sublime.
Letter 1972
Of course, it is very
much favorable to our advancement in spiritual life if we are engaged in some
service for Krishna which is also pleasing to us to perform. So if you have got
some special talent or experience you may discuss with Jagadisa how to engage
yourself in that way.
Letter 1972
One test is that
all the devotees should be satisfied. They have given their lives to Krishna,
so we should see they are always happy. Their service is voluntary. It is not
that we can force anyone to do anything. If we do they will go away and that is
a great loss. Everyone must be encouraged to do what he likes to do for
Krishna, so if someone likes to do business for Krishna, let them make
$1,000,000 for Krishna.
Letter 1971
COACHING REALIZES YOUR POTENTIAL
Coach believes in your potential.
If a coach has a limiting perception of a person, he might not find out his because he does not create the appropriate conditions in which he can realize his potential.
We all have an amazing potential. Yet we also have the ability to prevent it from manifesting. We do that by holding on to our limiting beliefs, by lacking confidence, by a negative inner dialogue, confusion, a feeling of being overwhelmed, fear and an inability to focus. External reasons can include our boss, a family member, an excessive workload, a lack of communication and unclear expectations.
If we have the potential to do something, then a lack of confidence or inability to focus will interfere with our potential and obstruct our performance.
Through the process of shining the light of awareness on the possible obstacles, a person is able to devise new, winning ways to achieve higher performance.
If a coach has a limiting perception of a person, he might not find out his because he does not create the appropriate conditions in which he can realize his potential.
We all have an amazing potential. Yet we also have the ability to prevent it from manifesting. We do that by holding on to our limiting beliefs, by lacking confidence, by a negative inner dialogue, confusion, a feeling of being overwhelmed, fear and an inability to focus. External reasons can include our boss, a family member, an excessive workload, a lack of communication and unclear expectations.
If we have the potential to do something, then a lack of confidence or inability to focus will interfere with our potential and obstruct our performance.
Through the process of shining the light of awareness on the possible obstacles, a person is able to devise new, winning ways to achieve higher performance.
THE KEY TO TIME MANAGEMENT
The key to time management is to live by timeless principles.
When you live by those principles, you will always use your time doing what is most important and most valuable.
When you live by those principles, you will always use your time doing what is most important and most valuable.
PARENTING
From the VFR Newsletter.
Parenting:
Are you a Jellyfish or a Brick Wall?
by Uttama devi dasi
Tamohara das and Mantrini devi dasi facilitaded an interactive parenting seminar at the last Festival of Inspiration in New Vrndavana. In it, they role played the various types of parenting styles descrived below.
Jellyfish parenting can be of two styles, loving and neglectful. The uninvolved jellyfish is characterized by having few rules and limits and little warmth and affection. Jelly fish parents are not very responsive to their children and tend to allow kids to do what they want, not paying much attention to their requests or demands. A child parented in this style tends to be a ‘wild child’ and truancy and delinquency are common. Their inadequate emotional regulation makes them immature and impedes friendship formation.
Child: My friends are going to the park to skate. I want to go with them.
Parent: Shhhhhh…..I’m watching my program now!
Child: Mom, did you hear me! I SAID I’m going to the park!
Parent: I heard you! What about the dirty dishes piled in the sink?
Child: I dunno…
Parent: OK…whatever….I guess they’ll just sit there in the sink as usual…
The other style of jellyfish, the permissive jellyfish is similar except they are high in warmth and affection and high in responsiveness but because they have few or no rules, as do the neglectful jellyfish and little or no structure and consequences, the outcomes for the children unfortunately are very similar. Their children are the typical, ‘spoiled child’.
Child: My friends are going to the park to skate. I want to go with them.
Parent: That sounds like fun, Sweetie! Oh but, didn’t we talk about you doing the dishes tonight?
Child: But, Tommy doesn’t have to do the dishes…it’s not fair!
Parent: I guess you are right, it doesn’t seem fair if your brother doesn’t have to…Who is going to do the dishes, Honey?
Child: You are!
Parent: Well, OK, this time I’ll do them for you…off you go and have a good time!
Brick Wall or authoritarian parenting,on the converse, is high in rules and limits, but low in warmth and affection. The attitude of ‘my way or the highway’ usually prevails. Brick wall parents would rather punish than discipline, teach or correct. Unfortunately the resultant ‘obedient child’ usually lacks initiative. The children are likely to be conscientious, obedient and quiet, although not especially happy. They are more likely to be depressed or feel guilty, self-blaming and to rebel as adolescents.![]()
Child: My friends are going to the park to skate. I want to go with them.
Parent: You have to do the dishes. You can’t go.
Child: But, Tommy doesn’t have to do the dishes…it’s not fair!
Parent: Leave your brother out of this. Get in there and start doing the dishes!
Child: Why do I have to do dishes when my brother doesn’t have to?
Parent: Because I said so and I’m the boss!
Backbone Parenting or the authoritative style is the happy medium. These parents set appropriate limits and adjust them to the time, place and circumstance. They are high in warmth and affection. They encourage participation from their children. The children always get their say, but they may not always get their way. Their dealings with children are marked with a balance of firmness, kindness, affection and reasonable expectations, so the outcome is ‘well-behaved, confident children’. As a result children are likely to be successful, articulate, intelligent, happy with themselves, and generous with others. They tend to be liked by teachers and peers.
Child: My friends are going to the park to skate. I want to go with them.
Parent: I thought this was your night to do the dishes.
Child: But, Tommy doesn’t have to do the dishes…it’s not fair!
Parent: I know you don’t think it’s fair that you have to do the dishes and your brother doesn’t.
Child: Yeah, why does Tommy get away with no dishes!
Parent: Well, your brother does other chores that you don’t….So, go and do the dishes as we agreed upon…We’ll talk about the family chores at dinner tomorrow night. Maybe Tommy will trade chores with you if you don’t like dishes so much.
During the seminar, participants were asked to break up into groups according to how they were parented when young. Each person described what their experience was like being parented in that way.
I moderated the group whose parents were the brick wall type. It was interesting to hear comments reflecting that while a few did appreciate some of the rules and strictness and felt they were better in some ways because of it, many have a hard time making decisions as adults. Some felt they have low self-esteem and some have a hard time disiplining their children. Many did not have a close relationship with a ‘brick wall’ parent. When asked how they now parent, many described they tended to swing drastically to the jellyfish, overly permissive style although some said they are replicating their childhood experience, but are not happy with it.
General comments from brick wall and jellyfish parented adults was that they either now parent in the same way or in drastic opposition. It was hard for them to take the balanced path. As you might expect, the children who were parented in an authoritative, backbone style are able to use that with their children.
After that graphic exercise, all wanted to try to use the authoritative, backbone style of parenting. This seminar was based on the study of Diana Baumrind, with nomenclature adapted from Barbara Coloroso’s “Kids are Worth It”.
GRHASTHA COACH
Response to a question from a reader of the Vaisnava Family Resources Newsletter from a Grhastha Coach (from the Grhastha Vision Team):
(Grhastha means a householder that seriously practices spiritual life.)
Yours is an intriguing letter and I am glad you wrote us. You say that realistically, you have seen many divorces and I would assume this is a phenomenon you have observed both in and out of the Hare Krsna community. Thoughtfully, you want to do what you can to make sure you have a loving, warm Krsna conscious marriage. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur recommends, “In this age of Kali it is better to cultivate Krsna consciousness as a householder.”
Our first suggestion is that you make sure you get premarital education or counseling. Seek out qualified and caring Marriage educators/Counselors.
Many people spend lots and lots of money on their weddings.
They spend lots of time planning and usually, there are many people involved, family, friends, association, employer, neighbors, etc. According to Modern Bride magazine, the average American wedding is about $20,000. About 2.3 million couples marry each year in this country and they spend approximately 72 billion dollars. Yet, not often enough do we find couples that spend a mere fraction of their time and a small amount of their money to get premarital counseling or education. Listen to what our beloved founder/acharya, Srila Prabhupada says about this matter; “The two marriages recommended by you may be performed at that time as well, but only after having sufficiently counseled the respective devotees. This marriage business should not be taken as a farce, but is a very serious matter.” Letter to Bhagavan, July, 1971.
Professionals who provide premarital education will be sure to include skill-building sessions on communication, conflict resolution, win-win problem solving, financial management and planning, goal-setting and clarifying the spiritual principles on which you agree to base your marriage. They will likely ask you and your fiancé to complete a Premarital or Marital inventory which is an excellent tool to identify the strengths and growth areas of your relationship and pinpoint the skills you should work on.
The approval of both sets of parents is a good sign. Wise people will consider the opinions of their parents, guru and other mature people who care about them. Their advice and suggestions should weigh heavily in your decision.
One of the underlying principles of the auspicious Grhastha asrama is that people must have a positive and realistic vision. The Grhastha asrama is marriage life based on God-conscious service and on elevating principles such as truthfulness, cleanliness, austerity, charity, and compassion. On the flip side is grhamedhi life, which means family life that is not based on these principles and is minus God as the center.
Positive and Realistic vision is one of the 12 fundamental principles that will ensure healthy growth and development in Grhastha family life. Devotees who do not have this positive and realistic vision set themselves up for unnecessary pain and disappointment.
Most devotees will get married and when they do, they should choose to marry and select mates for healthy and appropriate reasons.
Here are some unhealthy reasons to enter the Grhastha asrama:
1. To satisfy desire.
2. Because you think it’ll be better for you: Someone to cook for you, watch your children, take care of you financially etc. (While a caring and cooperative spouse will cook and assist with your children or take care of you financially, this should not be the only reason to marry. You should consider how each could benefit and serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu together.)
3.To exit the brahmacharini or brahmachari asrama
Some healthy and appropriate reasons to get married are as follows:
1. It is the next step up progressively for me in my spiritual life
2. It’s the asrama I should "honor" at this time
3. I want to serve the Lord by accepting greater responsibility
4. I want to work with a loving companion who’ll help me and whom I’ll help
5. I want to raise children who are Krsna conscious
6. It is my dharma, my service to Krsna
Finally, please reflect on this: the best way to be sure you have married the right person is to be the right person yourself. With Positive (knowledge that Lord Sri Krsna want us to have healthy, happy, Krsna conscious marriages) and Realistic (understanding that there will be challenges, commitment for life and willingness to work to get healthy relationship skills) Vision, your marriage can be fulfilling and serve as an example for others.
Truly,
Your Grihastha Coach
Your Grihastha Coach
GITA COACHING: SRILA PRABHUPADA’S SUCCESS SECRETS
GITA COACHING: SRILA PRABHUPADA’S SUCCESS SECRETS: These 11 secrets, if you take them seriously and apply them, can change your life. (For all these points in his books, Srila Prabhupada sai...
Thursday, September 29, 2011
COACHING BRIDGES THE GAP
Morgan McCall noted in his book "High Flyers: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders":
"Personal change is an emotional undertaking. Uncertainty, fear, loss, damage to self-esteem, intimidation and humiliation are significant and potentially debilitating emotions ... As with any weighty challenge, knowing that people care about you and will offer support, can help someone hold on, try again, get back up and otherwise persevere."
Coaching bridges the gap. It provides the necessary focused attention, support and challenge to ensure that we continue to move forward in a positive direction.
"Personal change is an emotional undertaking. Uncertainty, fear, loss, damage to self-esteem, intimidation and humiliation are significant and potentially debilitating emotions ... As with any weighty challenge, knowing that people care about you and will offer support, can help someone hold on, try again, get back up and otherwise persevere."
Coaching bridges the gap. It provides the necessary focused attention, support and challenge to ensure that we continue to move forward in a positive direction.
COACHING AS AN ENABLING PROCESS
Coaching is an enabling process.
It fits well into the modern world because it is opposed to a command-and-control leadership approach, which is slowly dying all over the world.
A coach assumes that people have inherent capabilities, can learn quickly and, when correctly focused and inspired, will give of their best, and even out-perform what was expected of them.
An effective coach enables people to discover the optimal ways of moving forward.
It fits well into the modern world because it is opposed to a command-and-control leadership approach, which is slowly dying all over the world.
A coach assumes that people have inherent capabilities, can learn quickly and, when correctly focused and inspired, will give of their best, and even out-perform what was expected of them.
An effective coach enables people to discover the optimal ways of moving forward.
COACHING CONVERSATION
One of the keys to bring out the brilliance of people is through conversation.
Most life success is dependent on conversation, yet we live in an age where it is lacking. The pace of modern life means that we barely have time to connect. Everybody is rushing, rushing, rushing.
When we do pause to talk to each other, the potency of the interaction is often weak. Our listening is shallow. We listen to argue, we listen to agree, we listen to interrupt, or we listen waiting for a chance to jump in with our point of view.
We often fail to create time and space for meaningful conversations, which are very much needed.
Coaching is a focused conversation, which enables you to gain new perspectives, understandings and solutions.
The quality of the coaching conversation is influenced by the coach’s positive intention. Because he intends to ad value to your life, you might experience a qualitatively different conversation to those that you are used to having in your daily life.
Most life success is dependent on conversation, yet we live in an age where it is lacking. The pace of modern life means that we barely have time to connect. Everybody is rushing, rushing, rushing.
When we do pause to talk to each other, the potency of the interaction is often weak. Our listening is shallow. We listen to argue, we listen to agree, we listen to interrupt, or we listen waiting for a chance to jump in with our point of view.
We often fail to create time and space for meaningful conversations, which are very much needed.
Coaching is a focused conversation, which enables you to gain new perspectives, understandings and solutions.
The quality of the coaching conversation is influenced by the coach’s positive intention. Because he intends to ad value to your life, you might experience a qualitatively different conversation to those that you are used to having in your daily life.
COACHING RELATIONSHIP
Gita Coaching gives an opportunity to experience a relationship in which you could express yourself freely, explore ideas and make important decisions to change your current reality.
Based on trust and respect, support and challenge, openness and honesty, in a coaching relationship you are able to be himself. There is no hidden agenda. The coach has no other motive than to be helpful.
This creates a ‘safe space’ for authenticity, exploration and discovery. It allows you to bring anything to the table without fear of criticism, exposure or judgement.
It is rare to have this type of relationship with anyone – even with those close to us. Most people have an opinion to share. They give their views rather than helping to clarify ours.
In a coaching relationship, the main intention is to help. Not in a soft, permissive way, but to concretely enable an individual to increase awareness, gain new insights and generate motivation to act.
Creating an environment in which people can open up and have deep and rich conversations is at the heart of coaching.
Based on trust and respect, support and challenge, openness and honesty, in a coaching relationship you are able to be himself. There is no hidden agenda. The coach has no other motive than to be helpful.
This creates a ‘safe space’ for authenticity, exploration and discovery. It allows you to bring anything to the table without fear of criticism, exposure or judgement.
It is rare to have this type of relationship with anyone – even with those close to us. Most people have an opinion to share. They give their views rather than helping to clarify ours.
In a coaching relationship, the main intention is to help. Not in a soft, permissive way, but to concretely enable an individual to increase awareness, gain new insights and generate motivation to act.
Creating an environment in which people can open up and have deep and rich conversations is at the heart of coaching.
ALWAYS BE SATISFIED AND HAPPY
You are doing your best to serve Krishna, that is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration, that will spoil everything.
Krishna Consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we must work something impossible, becoming overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope.
No, if too much endeavour is there, that is to be avoided.
Srila Prabhupada
Krishna Consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we must work something impossible, becoming overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope.
No, if too much endeavour is there, that is to be avoided.
Srila Prabhupada
WHAT KIND OF RESULTS?
Have you ever thought about what results are you trying to achieve in your life? And why?
You may achieve many external results, feel satisfied because of that and perhaps become famous too.
But how long will this satisfaction last?
Until we attain inner peace and satisfaction by connecting to the Source of all peace and happiness, all external results and achievements will not bring us lasting happiness.
TAKE ACTION
Are you ready to learn how to connect to the Source? Do you know what the Source is? Do you know how to connect?
TAKE ACTION
Are you ready to learn how to connect to the Source? Do you know what the Source is? Do you know how to connect?
DO NOT LOSE ENTHUSIASM
My dear Tejiyas,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 10, 1972, and I am very much disturbed to hear from you that you have become disturbed in your mind. Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety.
You are doing your best to serve Krishna, that is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration, that will spoil everything. Krishna Consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we must work something impossible, becoming overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope. No, if too much endeavour is there, that is to be avoided.
By all means we must preserve our spiritual status, that is the point, not that we are mad after big buildings, many devotees, life-members, this, that -- no, these are only ways to engage the devotees so that they may apply the principles of devotional living to some kind of work for practical realization of these principles. It is not the result of the work we want.
If only one person daily, if we sincerely preach to such one person in a day, that is sufficient, never mind big, big programmes. So my request to you is that you do not be bothered by these things, ...
Krishna does not like to see His sincere devotee suffer or become frustrated or depressed. He will not stand idly by in any such case, so do not fear on that account. Krishna has got some plan for you, always think in that way, and very soon He will provide everything to your heart's desire. ...
Hoping this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Letter to: Tejiyas -- Bombay 19 December, 1972
THERE WILL BE NO IMPEDIMENT
We should know always that we are lame, pangoh. Just like a lame man cannot go very fast. But by the grace of Krsna, even a lame man can go fast -- not only go fast, but cross over the mountain.
mukam karoti vacalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat krpa tam aham vande
sri gurum dina-taranam
It is possible if we become obedient student of guru, then even though we may be dumb, deaf and dumb, still, we can become good lecturer. Mukam karoti vacalam, talk very much about Krsna. This is Krsna's grace, mukam karoti... Pangum langhayate girim, if one is lame man, he is made to cross over the hill, mountain. This is the mercy of guru.
So bhakti, or cultivation of spiritual knowledge, is never subjected by any material things. Ahaituky apratihata. No material thing can check us in our progress in Krsna consciousness. It is not possible. Never think like that. Simply follow the instruction of Krsna consciousness, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Follow the rules and regulations and everything will be clear, very crystal clear. There will be no impediment. Always chant, hear; don't waste time.
Srila Prabhupada
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
DEVELOPING A CAPACITY TO SWITCH
What I need to practice every day is switching consciously from the mindset of a conditioned soul to a mindset of a devotee.
Mindset means how do I see things, how do I think about them, how do I understand them.
Mindset means thinking, feeling and willing (or desires).
The most powerful tool for a switch to happen is asking ourselves the right question.
What is the best question that will make for us that shift - right away?
Here are few that we can use:
- Am I thinking as devotee or as a conditioned soul?
- How would a devotee react to this event?
- How can I please Krsna (God) in this situation?
- What can I learn here that will help me improve myself and make spiritual advancement?
TAKE ACTION
Think of a question that can help yourself switch from where you are to where you want to be.
Think of another question that will help you react to every situation as a devotee, or in a way that will bring you the best results.
Mindset means how do I see things, how do I think about them, how do I understand them.
Mindset means thinking, feeling and willing (or desires).
The most powerful tool for a switch to happen is asking ourselves the right question.
What is the best question that will make for us that shift - right away?
Here are few that we can use:
- Am I thinking as devotee or as a conditioned soul?
- How would a devotee react to this event?
- How can I please Krsna (God) in this situation?
- What can I learn here that will help me improve myself and make spiritual advancement?
TAKE ACTION
Think of a question that can help yourself switch from where you are to where you want to be.
Think of another question that will help you react to every situation as a devotee, or in a way that will bring you the best results.
GUIDELINES FOR GREAT QUESTIONS
inquiryinstitute.com
“A question can be an invitation, a request, or a missile. What impact do you want your questions to have?”
- Marilee AdamsExpertise with question asking always begins with the mindset of the individual asking the questions. These guidelines presume an Inquiring Mindset that is open-minded, genuinely curious, desirous of learning, and intending a positive outcome for both parties. There are no absolute “rules” in question asking, since the best questions must always factor in context, relationship, and intentions.
- The general goal is to ask a question effectively. This means to acquire or convey the information necessary, or initiate some specific action, while maintaining respect and rapport with the other person. Effective questions are usually asked by one’s Learner mindset, not one’s Judger mindset.
- Observe the Golden Rule in asking questions. Ask questions of the other person as you would like to be questioned.
- Make sure you have the other person’s attention. If that person doesn’t realize he or she is being asked a question, there’s little chance they’ll answer it, or that you’ll get what you’re asking for.
- As much as possible, know what you want before you ask. For example, is this a question for getting information, to get some action started, or for bringing up a subject to think about?
- Recognize that questions can convey information and/or feelings. For example, “Did you know that the team meeting was changed to Tuesday?” or “Have I told you recently how much I enjoy working with you?”
- Timing is everything. This pertains to when a question is asked, as well as the potential length of the interaction. Unless the question interaction is going to be brief, say to the other person, for example, “I have something to ask you. Is this a good time?” or “Do you have a minute?”
- Also, consider the circumstances and use common sense. For instance, don’t ask a complicated, difficult, or emotional question when your coachee is already late for a meeting.
- When is the answer needed? Let the other person know if this is something for which you need an immediate answer, or if it’s simply something you want them to think about so you can discuss it later.
- Be careful about how the question is delivered. To neutralize “defensive listening,” deliver questions in a neutral or accepting tone. Use congruent facial expressions and body language. (Remember: even on the phone you can tell if a person is smiling!)
- Set the question up properly. For example, “I have a question about that situation with XYZ Company that we talked about last week.”
- Consider who else might be listening. Never ask questions that could make the other person feel uncomfortable or look bad in front of someone else.
- Keep questions simple. Ask only one question at a time, as much as possible.
- Be certain the other person understands the question – or the implications of the question – and clarify if necessary.
- Give the other person enough time to think and respond (“wait time”).
- Listen carefully to the verbal and non-verbal response. Observe and be sensitive to the other person. Ask yourself questions such as: “Did I get what I was looking for?” “Did this work for him or her?” “Are we still in rapport?” “Is this complete?” and “Is there anything else I need to do here?”
- Complete any question-answer interaction; for example, with a simple “Thanks.”
Here are some questions to ask yourself before asking questions of others:
- “What do I want my question to accomplish?”
- "What do I need to take into account when asking it?”
- "What are my intentions?” “Are they positive?”
- "What’s the best way to ask this question?”
- "Is this a good time to ask it?”
- "Can we both win with this question?
- "Is there anything I should tell this person before I ask my question?”
LEARN HOW TO LEARN
"Once you have learned how to ask questions - relevant and appropriate and substantial questions - you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know."
- Neil Postman and Charles Weingarten
- Neil Postman and Charles Weingarten
ORDINARY PEOPLE CANNOT UNDERSTAND
Karmis, fruitive workers, cannot understand the finer conclusions of devotional service because they accept only its ritualistic value but do not understand how devotional service satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The karmis view the formalities as a means of advancing in religion, economic development, sensual satisfaction and liberation.
Although these are only material results of following religious principles, the karmis consider them everything.
Such ritualistic activities are called karma.
Karmis who adopt devotional service very loosely and who therefore remain on the platform of material activities are called prakrta-sahajiyas.
They cannot understand how pure devotional service is rendered in parental and conjugal love, for this can be understood only by the special mercy bestowed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu upon pure devotees.
Caitanya Caritamrita, Antya-lila, 10.101 Purport
FINER POINTS OF ETIQUETTE
One of my
favorite stories from the Caitanya Caritamrta:
FINER
POINTS OF ETIQUETTE
Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu lay down at the door of the Gambhira, and Govinda came
there to massage His legs.
It was a
steady, long-standing rule that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would lie down to rest
after lunch and Govinda would come to massage His legs. Then Govinda would honor the remnants of food left by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Govinda would come to massage His legs. Then Govinda would honor
the remnants of food left by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
This time
when the Lord lay down, He occupied the entire doorway. Govinda could not enter
the room, and therefore he made the following request.
Govinda
said, "Kindly turn on one side. Let me pass to enter the
room."However, the Lord replied, "I don't have the strength to move
My body."
Govinda
made his request again and again, but the Lord replied, "I cannot move My
body."
Govinda
repeatedly requested, "I want to massage Your legs."But the Lord
said, "Do it or don't do it. It depends upon your mind."
Then
Govinda spread the Lord's wrapper over His body and in this way entered the
room by crossing over the Lord.
Govinda
massaged the Lord's legs as usual. He pressed the Lord's waist and back very
softly, and thus all the Lord's fatigue went away.
As
Govinda stroked His body, the Lord slept very nicely for about forty-five
minutes, and then His sleep broke.
When Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Govinda sitting by His side, He was somewhat angry.
"Why have you been sitting here for so long today?" the Lord asked.
"Why
didn't you go to take your meal after I fell asleep?" the Lord
asked.Govinda replied, "You were lying down, blocking the door, and there
was no way to go."
The Lord
asked, "How did you enter the room? Why didn't you go out to take your
lunch in the same way?"
Govinda
mentally replied, "My duty is to serve, even if I have to commit offenses
or go to hell. I
would not mind committing hundreds and thousands of offenses for the service of
the Lord, but I greatly fear committing even a glimpse of an offense for my own
self."
Thinking
in this way, Govinda kept silent. He did not reply to the Lord's inquiry.
It was
Govinda's practice to go take lunch when the Lord was asleep. On that day, however,
seeing the Lord's weariness, Govinda continued massaging His body.
There was
no way to go. How could he leave? When he thought of crossing over the Lord's
body, he considered it a great offense.
These are
some of the finer points of etiquette in devotional service. Only one who has
received the mercy of SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu can understand these principles.
The Lord
is very interested in manifesting the exalted qualities of His devotees, and
that is why He engineered this incident.
Caitanya
Caritamrta
RADHARANI, BHAKTI-TIRTHA SWAMI AND DEVOTEE CARE
Here you can click to download the recording of my talk at ISKCON's Gita Nagari farm in Pennsylvania (USA), the day before Radhastami this year (3 September 2001), entitled "Radharani, Bhakti-tirtha Swami, and Devotee Care":
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gid45s
If you want to hear it, it is good to download soon, as the link is kept for a limited amount of time.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gid45s
If you want to hear it, it is good to download soon, as the link is kept for a limited amount of time.
HELPING DEVOTEES SUCCEED - FREE AUDIO AND TEXT DOWNLOAD
Click on this link to access the free audio:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/drm03i
And here the transcript as an ebook:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/pknjt6
http://www.sendspace.com/file/drm03i
And here the transcript as an ebook:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/pknjt6
WHAT ABOUT MY MIND?
One morning a couple attended the lecture, a woman carrying a child and a man wearing a backpack. During the question-and-answer period the man asked,"What about my mind?" Prabhupada gave him philosophical replies, but the man kept repeating, "What about my mind? What about my mind?"
With a pleading, compassionate look, Prabhupada said, "I have no other medicine. Please chant this Hare Krsna. I have no other explanation. I have no other answer."
GRHASTHA VISION TEAM FOR SPIRITUAL FAMILY LIFE
This is an article from the Vaisnava Family Resources Newsletter. Visit this website for more articles on marriage, parenting and family life (click the link):
www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org
www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org
Seminars a Success at Festival of Inspiration at New Vrindavana
The Grihastha Vision Team offered a number of interesting seminars at New Vrndavana's Festival of Inspiration last May. One popular seminar attended by over 70 participants, was Arcana siddhi dasi and Karnamrita das's “What About My Mind?" Following is an exerpt.
"Marriage is a meeting of two minds. Once a guest at a temple asked SP loudly, in great frustration," What about my mind?" SP answered, I have no other medicine but the holy name. Our challenge is how control the mind so that the medicine of the holy name will have full effect. Prabhupada did indeed give us many tips in his books to help us control the mind. These instructions can help us receive the full benefit of the holy name. The more we understand our mind, the less it will frustrate us. We can learn to quickly change a negative mind state into a more conducive mind state for our emotional and spiritual growth.
We may think we can't change our bad habits, like anger but the mind is malleable and we can create dramatic change in this lifetime, especially coupled with chanting. Good and bad habits are just behaviors we repeat over and over again. With a little desire and determination we can begin or stop behaviors.
The mind is the lens through which we see the world, so if the mind is dark, the world seems depressed. We want to see the world though the lens of Krsna colored glasses, where you see everything in relation with Krsna. The illusion is that the relationship is not there, but we can see the world from a Krsna conscious viewpoint.
Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional so if we can learn to use our mind in the right fashion, we can keep it in positive mind states. What we focus on expands and we have choice where we want to focus. In any relationship we can choose to act from our positive mind states."
Arcana siddhi dasi taught everyone an important formula:
O=E+R
The outcome is equal to the event plus our response. In other words the outcome is determined by how we respond to an event. This is really our only freedom in life—how we respond to people and situations. Responding with empathy and care to others helps us to grow and become more than we are now. Responding with envy, malice or anger will stifle our growth and keep us entrapped in our suffering mental condition. If things are not going well for you in a certain situation in your life, think about how you can change your response. A famous saying “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you have always gotten.”
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
ASK
One of the most powerful success strategies I know can be distilled to a 3-letter word: ASK!
Whether it's asking for advice, asking for help, asking for money, support, time or whether else you need ... asking is the most direct route to get what you want.
Unfortunately, most people are afraid to ask. They're afraid of looking weak, helpless, and vulnerable. They're afraid of hearing "no" ... so they simply don't bother to ask at all.
But the fact is, that by not asking for what you want, you are choosing to reject yourself. You're denying yourself the chance to access the support and resources you need to achieve success.
If you want to achieve your goals, you must be able (and comfortable) to ask for what you want.
Whether it's asking for advice, asking for help, asking for money, support, time or whether else you need ... asking is the most direct route to get what you want.
Unfortunately, most people are afraid to ask. They're afraid of looking weak, helpless, and vulnerable. They're afraid of hearing "no" ... so they simply don't bother to ask at all.
But the fact is, that by not asking for what you want, you are choosing to reject yourself. You're denying yourself the chance to access the support and resources you need to achieve success.
If you want to achieve your goals, you must be able (and comfortable) to ask for what you want.
GITA COACHING: Excellent Questions for Excellent Life
GITA COACHING: Excellent Questions for Excellent Life: Over the years I have discovered and used a powerful personal improvement tool - excellent questions. Questions we ask ourselves all day ... (click the title for a full text)
DISCRIMINATORY POWER
Human intelligence can decide for the future. That is human intelligence. The animal cannot decide. We have discriminatory power. If I do th... (click on the title for the full text)
EASY JOURNEY TO THE ANTI-MATERIAL PLANETS
The following details outline a general practice by which one can prepare himself for an easy journey to the Vaikuntha (anti-material) planets, where life is free from birth, old age, disease and death.
General practice (positive functions):
1. The serious candidate must accept a bona fide spiritual master in order to be trained scientifically. Because the senses are material, it is not at all possible to realize the Transcendence by them. Therefore the senses have to be spiritualized by the prescribed method under the direction of the spiritual master.
2. When the student has chosen a bona fide spiritual master, he must take the proper initiation from him. This marks the beginning of spiritual training.
3. The candidate must be prepared to satisfy the spiritual master in every way. A bona fide spiritual master who is fully cognizant of the methods of spiritual science, learned in the spiritual scriptures such as the Bhagavad-gita, Vedanta, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Upanisads, and who is also a realized soul who has made a tangible connection with the Supreme Lord, is the transparent medium by which the willing candidate is led to the path of the Vaikunthas. The spiritual master must be satisfied in all respects, because simply by his good wishes a candidate can make wonderful progress along the path.
4. The intelligent candidate places intelligent questions to the spiritual master in order to clear his path of all uncertainties. The spiritual master shows the way, not whimsically, but in accordance with the principles of the authorities who have actually traversed the path. The names of these authorities are disclosed in the scriptures, and one has simply to follow them under the direction of the spiritual master. The spiritual master never deviates from the path of the authorities.
5. The candidate should always try to follow in the footsteps of the great sages who have practiced the method and obtained success. This should be taken as a motto in life. One should not superficially imitate them, but should follow them sincerely in terms of the particular time and circumstances.
6. The candidate must be prepared to change his habits in terms of the instructions contained in the books of authority, and for the satisfaction of the Lord he must be prepared to sacrifice both sense gratification and sense abnegation, following the example of Arjuna.
7. The candidate should live in a spiritual atmosphere.
8. He must be satisfied with as much wealth as is sufficient for maintenance only. He should not try to amass more wealth than is necessary to sustain himself in a simple way.
9. He must observe the fasting dates, such as the eleventh day of the growing and waning moon.
10. He must show respect to the banyan tree, the cow, the learned brahmana and the devotee.
These are the first stepping-stones toward the path of devotional service. Gradually one has to adopt other items, which are negative in character:
11. One should avoid offenses in the discharge of devotional service and in chanting the holy names.
12. He should avoid extensive association with nondevotees.
13. He must not take on unlimited disciples. This means that a candidate who has successfully followed the first twelve items can also become a spiritual master himself, just as a student becomes a monitor in class with a limited number of disciples.
14. He must not pose himself as a vastly learned man simply by quoting statements in books. He must have solid knowledge of the necessary books without superfluous knowledge in others.
15. A regular and successful practice of the above fourteen items will enable the candidate to maintain mental equilibrium even amidst great trials of material loss and gain.
16. In the next stage, the candidate does not become afflicted by lamentation and illusion.
17. He does not deride another's mode of religion or worship, nor does he deride the Personality of Godhead or His devotees.
18. He never tolerates blasphemy against the Lord or His devotees.
19. He should not indulge in the discussion of topics dealing with the relationship between man and woman; nor should he engage in useless topics concerning others' family affairs.
20. He should not inflict pain -- either in body or in mind -- upon other living beings, whomsoever they may be.
Out of the above twenty items, the first three positive items are imperative and most essential for the serious candidate.
Easy Journey To Other Planets by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
18 INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEVELOPING REAL KNOWLEDGE
As advised in Chapter Thirteen of the Bhagavad-gita (13.8-12), one should culture knowledge in the following way:
(1) One should become a perfect gentleman and learn to give proper respect to others.
(2) One should not pose himself as a religionist simply for name and fame.
(3) One should not become a source of anxiety to others by the actions of his body, by the thoughts of his mind, or by his words.
(4) One should learn forbearance even in the face of provocation from others.
(5) One should learn to avoid duplicity in his dealings with others.
(6) One should search out a bona fide spiritual master who can lead him gradually to the stage of spiritual realization, and one must submit himself to such a spiritual master, render him service and ask relevant questions.
(7) In order to approach the platform of self-realization, one must follow the regulative principles enjoined in the revealed scriptures.
(8) One must be fixed in the tenets of the revealed scriptures.
(9) One should completely refrain from practices which are detrimental to the interest of self-realization.
(10) One should not accept more than he requires for the maintenance of the body.
(11) One should not falsely identify himself with the gross material body, nor should one consider those who are related to his body to be his own.
(12) One should always remember that as long as he has a material body he must face the miseries of repeated birth, old age, disease and death. There is no use in making plans to get rid of these miseries of the material body. The best course is to find out the means by which one may regain his spiritual identity.
(13) One should not be attached to more than the necessities of life required for spiritual advancement.
(14) One should not be more attached to wife, children and home than the revealed scriptures ordain.
(15) One should not be happy or distressed over desirables and undesirables, knowing that such feelings are just created by the mind.
(16) One should become an unalloyed devotee of the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, and serve Him with rapt attention.
(17) One should develop a liking for residence in a secluded place with a calm and quiet atmosphere favorable for spiritual culture, and one should avoid congested places where nondevotees congregate.
(18) One should become a scientist or philosopher and conduct research into spiritual knowledge, recognizing that spiritual knowledge is permanent whereas material knowledge ends with the death of the body.
These eighteen items combine to form a gradual process by which real knowledge can be developed.
Isopanisad, Mantra 10, Purport
PASS THE TEST
Bali Maharaja passed the severe test put before him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This is further proof of the Lord's mercy toward His devotee.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable.
One could hardly even live under the conditions forced upon Bali Maharaja.
That Bali Maharaja endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
The Lord certainly appreciates the devotee's forbearance, and it is recorded for the future glorification of the devotee.
This was not an ordinary test.
Hardly anyone could survive such a test, but for the future glorification of Bali Maharaja, one of the mahajanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead not only tested him but also gave him the strength to tolerate such adversity.
The Lord is so kind to His devotee that when severely testing him the Lord gives him the necessary strength to be tolerant and continue to remain a glorious devotee.
So what is the test that Bali Maharaja passed?
Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Maharaja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. ... He did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word.
This is further proof of the Lord's mercy toward His devotee.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable.
One could hardly even live under the conditions forced upon Bali Maharaja.
That Bali Maharaja endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
The Lord certainly appreciates the devotee's forbearance, and it is recorded for the future glorification of the devotee.
This was not an ordinary test.
Hardly anyone could survive such a test, but for the future glorification of Bali Maharaja, one of the mahajanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead not only tested him but also gave him the strength to tolerate such adversity.
The Lord is so kind to His devotee that when severely testing him the Lord gives him the necessary strength to be tolerant and continue to remain a glorious devotee.
So what is the test that Bali Maharaja passed?
Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Maharaja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. ... He did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word.
Srimad Bhagavatam 8.22.31
Monday, September 26, 2011
I AM A HARE KRISHNA COACH
Here you can read the 2008 article about Gita Coaching from the UK's Personal Success magazine, by Marie-Louise Cook (click on the link):
http://news.iskcon.com/node/1347
http://news.iskcon.com/node/1347
THE MAIN SOURCE OF UNHAPPINESS
Almost all your unhappiness in life comes from your tendency to blame someone else for something.
20 GREAT QUOTES ON FAITH
By His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
- Faith means unflinching trust in something sublime.
- By rendering transcendental service to Krsna, one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. This confident, firm faith, favorable to the discharge of devotional service, is called sraddha.
- Sraddha, faith in Krsna, is the beginning of Krsna consciousness. Faith means strong faith.
- Faith means complete conviction.
- Faith means that faith is created after reading Bhagavad-gita.
- Faith means one who has got firm faith in the words of Krsna.
- Faith means strong faith, not flickering faith.
- That faith means unflinching faith without any deviation, with full understanding.
- Faith means real faith. So whenever there is real faith, there is activity also.
- Faith means firm conviction that "If I become transcendentally engaged in the service of the Lord, then my life becomes successful." This is called faith. And that conviction must be firm, not tottering faith.
- Faith means believing firmly.
- Faith means to believe in the word of Krsna, that "Surrendering to Krsna I will get everything. Now, I am free. This is my perfection.'' That is called faith.
- Faith means acceptance. When you accept, then your faith begins. If you have got hesitation, then the faith has not begun. Or it is in the hazy state.
- Not that "So long God is my order supplier, I trust in Him, and as soon as He refuses to supply my order, I don't trust Him," that is not firm faith. "God is putting me in distress; still, I trust Him. Or God is putting me in happiness; still, I trust Him." That is called firm faith. In any circumstances, the faith is not withdrawn. That is firm faith.
- Faith means krsne bhakti, "If I surrender to Krsna, then my all perfection is there." This is called sraddha.
- That is faith -- means on knowledge. So faith with knowledge is very good. But beginning must be faith, with knowledge or without knowledge.
- Faith means to believe strongly.
- Faith means by seeing others, respectable persons following, "And why not I shall follow?"
- Faith means that you are meant for giving some service to Krsna. You should stick to that service, that path, in spite of all impediments. That is the passing of test.
- Faith means extreme faith. Not reserved. Faith does not mean any reservation.
FOCUS
The way you feel every day is largely influenced by what you focus on.
So what to focus on?
Focus on contributing to other people's lives and you will feel much better.
Do not focus on other people's imperfections or your own mistakes.
"It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words."
Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.22.35
So what to focus on?
Focus on contributing to other people's lives and you will feel much better.
Do not focus on other people's imperfections or your own mistakes.
"It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words."
Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.22.35
SIX HONEST SERVANTS
I keep six honest serving men
(They taught me all I knew)
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who
Rudyard Kipling
HOW CAN WE SUCCEED IN SELF DISCIPLINE?
Usually when I wanted to change a bad habit or improve in something, I thought of changing what I DO. I never thought of changing the way I THINK. However, since every action is preceded by a thought, thinking is essential for changing our actions.
To change our thinking, we first need to become aware of what and how we think. That means we should be able to observe our thoughts as if we were another person. Then we need to practice planning what we will think and choosing what we will think.
By choosing what we think about, it will be much easier to choose what we do.
If we examine our thinking, it boils down to internal dialogue - how we talk to ourselves. Many people are not aware of that conversation that they have in their mind all day long. It happens automatically.
If we become aware of that conversation, we will be able to design it and influence it as we like.
So the way we talk to ourself influences the quality of our decisions about what will we do every day.
If you want to change a habit or improve in any area of your life, start with improving the quality of your internal dialogue, your conversation with yourself. Speak to yourself as someone who has your best interest at heart, and the quality of your decisions about your daily actions will greatly improve.
Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.
To change our thinking, we first need to become aware of what and how we think. That means we should be able to observe our thoughts as if we were another person. Then we need to practice planning what we will think and choosing what we will think.
By choosing what we think about, it will be much easier to choose what we do.
If we examine our thinking, it boils down to internal dialogue - how we talk to ourselves. Many people are not aware of that conversation that they have in their mind all day long. It happens automatically.
If we become aware of that conversation, we will be able to design it and influence it as we like.
So the way we talk to ourself influences the quality of our decisions about what will we do every day.
If you want to change a habit or improve in any area of your life, start with improving the quality of your internal dialogue, your conversation with yourself. Speak to yourself as someone who has your best interest at heart, and the quality of your decisions about your daily actions will greatly improve.
Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.
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