For those of you who thought I am a lover and a follower of self-help books, here is some thoughts about self-help.
Self-help or personal development or success is a new global religion. See my blog about it here:
http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-religion.html
Many people try to find shelter in it because religions have become corrupted and people do not trust them.
But they will be left empty-handed.
Why?
Because this is all incomplete knowledge, and it does not free us from our sinful reactions.
It does not free us from our being conditioned by the 3 modes of material nature: goodness, passion and ignorance.
It does not free us from our false ego.
It helps us to be even more conditioned by the mode of goodness, mixed with passion and ignorance.
It helps us to remain attached to this material world and remain in the cycle of birth and death.
All I said so far does not mean ideas from those books cannot be used in devotional service. The Nectar Of Devotion says:
"One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord. That is a secret of devotional service. Anything that can be utilized in advancing Krsna consciousness and devotional service should be accepted." (NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications)
If a good time management system can be used, why not (we don't like to waste time)?
If how to build trust can be used, why not (remember "love and trust")?
If giving up limiting beliefs (thinking big) can be used, why not ?
If stopping self-sabotage can be used, why not (remember the "real self-interest")?
Srila Prabhupada mentions that you must know how to catch a fish without getting wet. So we can use these things with caution, making sure they do not become our new religion.
Self-help or personal development or success is a new global religion. See my blog about it here:
http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-religion.html
Many people try to find shelter in it because religions have become corrupted and people do not trust them.
But they will be left empty-handed.
Why?
Because this is all incomplete knowledge, and it does not free us from our sinful reactions.
It does not free us from our being conditioned by the 3 modes of material nature: goodness, passion and ignorance.
It does not free us from our false ego.
It helps us to be even more conditioned by the mode of goodness, mixed with passion and ignorance.
It helps us to remain attached to this material world and remain in the cycle of birth and death.
All I said so far does not mean ideas from those books cannot be used in devotional service. The Nectar Of Devotion says:
"One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord. That is a secret of devotional service. Anything that can be utilized in advancing Krsna consciousness and devotional service should be accepted." (NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications)
If a good time management system can be used, why not (we don't like to waste time)?
If how to build trust can be used, why not (remember "love and trust")?
If giving up limiting beliefs (thinking big) can be used, why not ?
If stopping self-sabotage can be used, why not (remember the "real self-interest")?
Srila Prabhupada mentions that you must know how to catch a fish without getting wet. So we can use these things with caution, making sure they do not become our new religion.
