Question: How should a neophyte treat the ups and downs in their material activities, considering that at this stage there is only realization but no implementation?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Krishna answers this question for our benefit in the very beginning of Bhagavad-gita (2.14):
matra-sparsas tu kaunteya / sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino ‘nityas / tams titiksasva bharata
“O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”
Krishna advises that we learn to tolerate the dualities in the beginning. In this stage, as you have pointed out, one has theoretical understanding but lacks deep realization and conviction to live upon that understanding. But on the basis of superior intelligence one should tolerate. Of course, everyone in this world is forced to tolerate so many things without a choice, but the tolerance Krishna is recommending is not quite ‘gritting-the-teeth’ type of tolerance, but taking higher shelter and absorbing the mind in transcendental knowledge, and on that strength continuing to execute one’s prescribed duties despite inconveniences, successes or failures.
With progressive application and realization, as the mind is brought under the control of superior nature, in the next stage one achieves equality and then neutrality towards such ups and downs. This is described in BG 6.7 to BG 6.9. In that stage, one considers happiness or distress, honor or dishonor, success or failure, pebble or gold, friend or enemy – all with an equal disposition of mind.
One achieves this consciousness by dint of practicing to see everything in relation to the Supreme and in service to the Supreme. Thus a devotee would consider something valuable – even sickness, dishonor, failure or reverses in life – if it is favorable in his service to Krishna and otherwise he does not care for so-called success, fame, wealth etc without a use in his service to Krishna.
With further progress through such practice of unfailing devotional service, as one begins to experience boundless inner spiritual happiness in their relationship with the Supreme Lord, one becomes completely transcendental and is undisturbed by ups and downs of the waves of material existence. (BG 6.20, 14.22-25)
That gives a brief road-map ahead of things to come as we proceed along!
