Q. I am a confused man, with lots of worries. I always hear Shri Ramesh Oza, and Pujya Morari Bapu, on cassettes. The time I hear I get emotional and happy. Next day I forget everything I heard, and the same routine continues.
Please help me and tell me what I should do. I want to get deeper in to this. Your reply (in simple English) will be a utmost help to my soul.
Answer by Romapada Swami: Doubts and worries haunt us due to impurities in the heart and due to lack of true knowledge – just as one becomes fearful and uncertain when one is in darkness. Spiritual knowledge of the Supreme Lord Krishna is compared to sunlight – where there is light there is no confusion or worries.
True spiritual knowledge is a science. It has to be systematically cultivated. When we sincerely apply ourselves to a genuine spiritual process, purification of heart happens. When the heart is gradually purified, then the knowledge becomes part of our life and existence, never to be forgotten. In that condition, we can experience boundless joy and remain undisturbed even in the middle of great difficulty.
Please note that for purification of heart to happen, two conditions have to be fulfilled: (1) the process must be genuinely spiritual, authorized and pure; (2) we have to not just passively hear but actively apply the science with diligent practice in our daily life.
The first important criterion in this process is to hear from those who are impeccably pure in their personal character, completely free from all vices and sins. A second criterion is that they should personally follow and guide their followers strictly according to standard scriptures. It is the duty of the sincere student to seek out and make sure he is hearing from authorized acharyas or their representatives.
For example, it is stated in scriptures that hearing is not effective when we hear from a professional reciter of Bhagavatam or someone who has their own personal agenda or philosophy other than pure devotion to Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Following such a person or process does not transform the heart. In this age, it is quite common to find many watered-down spiritual methods, which seem very appealing to the innocent common man, but don’t offer standard practices or scientific guidelines by which to conduct one’s life according to scriptures. Therefore even if they sound highly motivating and churn many sentiments in the heart, because there is no scientific step-by-step process to put into practice, it cannot bring about a lasting transformation of our heart. Srimad Bhagavatam compares such philosophies to the light of glowworms or fireflies – fireflies provide some light on a dark, rainy night and may look attractive, but their light is just fleeting and cannot provide much illumination. (Cf. SB 10.20.8 )
In order to effectively distinguish the proper representative of the Supreme Lord, the sincere student will himself have to be familiar with the basic teachings and standards of scriptures such as Bhagavad-gita. It will be very beneficial, if time permits, for you to study the Bhagavad-gita systematically – this will help the essential knowledge enter deeply in your heart and then whatever you hear from others can be evaluated and understood against this background. (Here is an online link to Bhagavad-gita As It Is )
It is also very important to maintain some day-to-day practice of some authorized devotional-spiritual activities e.g. the practice of daily chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Hari. Particularly recommended for this age is the Hare Krishna mahamantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. You can begin with a minimum of even 10 – 15 minutes of chanting daily and gradually improve upon it. Similarly, making an offering of our food to Krishna with love and devotion, and eating only such sanctified food (prasadam) is another very important and helpful practice.
Simply theoretically hearing / thinking about devotional or philosophical subjects but not engaging the senses in practical devotional service does not give full benefit. This is why even if for the time being we may feel some sensation of peace or emotional upsurge, it does not last very long nor helps us in time of need. It is very important to take up practical spiritual engagements that can purify the senses and mind. The effect of chanting of Hare Krishna mantra is described as “ceto-darpana-marjanam” – it cleanses the mirror of the mind. The mind is filled with so many impressions, memories and other trash which always cause much agitation. But by faithful chanting, the turbulent mind becomes tranquil because the Hare Krishna mantra is a spiritual sound vibration.
Moreover, by chanting in a prayerful mood, we attract the mercy of Krishna. Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita “To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.” (BG 10.10-11) The Lord will thus give us the right intelligence when we engage in devotional service and help us identify a bona fide spiritual master who is His pure devotee, and who can then guide us systematically in the science of Krishna by which one can attain to perfect peace and happiness.
I wish you the very best in this endeavor! Hare Krishna!
