Question: I’ve heard that unless one surrenders to a bonafide guru, it is not possible to achieve pure bhakti. But the kind of place and people I am surrounded by makes it absolutely impossible to even go to a Krishna temple or find a guru. I can’t even get a deity at home. But I really want to achieve pure bhakti in this lifetime. Do I have any chance at all?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Please do not feel discouraged with your current circumstances.
Please keep faith in Krsna’s words and protection. In your current situation where you do not have access to temple, or to meet with devotees in person, I would suggest you do the following:
- Start to chant on Tulasi beads the Hare Krishna Maha mantra.
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books- you can begin with Bhagavad Gita
- Hear Srila Prabhupada’s lectures online
- Offer the food you prepare before eating to a picture of Radha Krsna
- See if you can connect with devotees online – there are many BG, SB study groups by devotees, there are even morning chanting groups.
- Another powerful process is to cultivate the habit of offering heartfelt prayers to the Lord for His mercy and help.
This will help you connect with devotees online if you are not able to have their in-person association at the temple.
Try to consciously appreciate the merciful and attractive qualities of the Lord. When you study the Bhagavad-gita, try to understand and appreciate the Lord’s glories, His boundless love and His gifts in your life personally; glorify Him from your heart and try to feel your personal connection with the Lord.
It is easier said than done but please try to not focus too much on your struggles and issues in spiritual progress – depend on the Lord to help you with those in course of time. He is Omnipotent, the master of material energy, the giver of knowledge and remembrance. Invest your thoughts fully in this way in praising the Lord and serving Him — try to do even one thing daily to please Him to whatever capacity and understanding you have, no matter how little. It can be through chanting, reading, hearing, cooking.
Have faith and persevere. Please do not feel defeated, helpless, or frustrated. Krishna consciousness is full of hope. In the ultimate picture of our eternal relationship with Krishna, even the most trivial of our services and attempts to connect to Him will be remembered and rewarded by Him abundantly, so your efforts in Krishna consciousness are not in vain. Because you are sincere, Krishna will send a guru into your life, by one means or another.
