Question1: My problem is that I have to spend most of my time on my academic studies and have very little left for chanting and other spiritual activities. This makes me very frustrated. Please advise me on how can I advance in my spiritual life?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Time is Krishna’s energy, isn’t it? Krishna says, “Time I am.” So when one decides to serve Krishna with firm conviction, Krishna reciprocates with their devotion; Krishna arranges for His time energy to act differently, in the lives of his devotees. Experienced devotees know this fact very well, from repeated personal experience. When we surrender to Krishna’s desires and instructions, we find that our time has expanded in such a way that we can do more service! If you fix Krishna-seva as a priority in your life, and with faith and dependence on Krishna chant a fixed number of rounds regularly and attentively, then from that activity you will find spiritual strength, by which not only you will be able to maintain and even improve your academics in less time than before, but you may find more time to do more spiritual activities! Conversely, if one does not want to serve Krishna, then material energy will consume all one’s time, and one will always remain overwhelmed and unfulfilled even in their material ambitions.
Question 2: I try to chant eight rounds, but some days I cannot even chant a single round. Because of my financial situation, I am forced to stay with non-devotees. What can I do to chant my rounds nicely and always keep myself in Krishna consciousness?
Answer by Romapada Swami: As described in the above answer, when we are committed to serving Krishna, Krishna gives us the strength by which we can serve Him. To have a fixed time for chanting, preferably in the morning hours, and everyday chanting during that time without any other distraction is very helpful to focus the mind and chant nicely.
You have asked how to “always keep oneself in Krishna consciousness”. That can be accomplished, at least progressively, by strong sadhana. Whatever time you are able to give for chanting and other devotional activities, even if very little, if it is done in a regulated and in a wholehearted manner, with great sincerity and earnestness, that powerful experience can permeate your consciousness throughout the day, even amidst all other responsibilities. In addition to chanting one’s rounds nicely, regular reading or hearing of spiritual messages, Bhagavad-gita or Srimad Bhagavatam etc., is very important to keep one spiritually alive. Even just these two activities, hearing or reading and chanting attentively, if done steadily, can give enormous strength to face all challenges and progress further. Then even in the midst of non-devotees, one can maintain Krishna consciousness and even inspire others around you.
