Question: How can one who has homosexual inclinations approach Bhakti/Krishna consciousness without feeling guilt or desperation?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Vaishnava teachings emphasize that chanting God’s names and following the other practices of Bhakti-yoga, or devotional yoga (service in devotion to the Divine), is the easiest and most sublime method of God realization, especially for this age.
To achieve success in Bhakti-yoga, or to awaken love of God, Lord Krishna, requires voluntary commitment to practices that promote spiritual purification and awakening. To realize God is not simply a matter of faith. It is a lifetime commitment to spiritually centered activities and reciprocating with God’s instructions. That is, Bhakti-yoga is learning how to see, know, and serve God throughout our day and in all that we do.
Such a commitment is built upon faith and knowledge that Lord Krishna is our most intimate friend and the Supreme controller and enjoyer. He is pleased when we choose to follow His instructions and redirect our lives towards Him, and when we abandon those activities that cover our relationship with Him or are harmful to ourselves and to others.
For Vaishnavas, the modern quest for sensual gratification is an elaborate illusion that at best distracts us from our real goal and may put us at risk of transmigrating through the cycle of repeated birth and death. Minimizing the necessities of the body, thus freeing our time and energy for higher pursuits, is deemed the wiser path.
All of the above can be pursued, regardless of one’s material designations, called upadhi, such as color, nationality, social status, creed, race, gender or sexual orientation.
