“He thus makes all things complicated, and he is always in trouble.” – Srila Prabhupada (Purport to Bhagavad Gita 15.5)
The first step though is to get more awareness. But we can’t stay stuck there. When Journal writing is clubbed with good association and studying wisdom literature with an open heart, self-awareness leads to a…
“Krishna consciousness movement is meant to save human society from spiritual death.” – Srila Prabhupada
6. Experience journal
Since the last time you wrote a journal, what was the most touching experience you went through?
I once saw a badly mashed vehicle, and an ambulance taking the accident victims away. I soon got busy and…
“Satisfaction of the soul can only be obtained by questions and answers on the subject of Krishna.” – Srila Prabhupada (Shrimad Bhagavatam Purport, 1.2.5)
3. Question Answer writing
This is a thirty day experiment that would reveal to you your evolution – you wouldn’t need others to certify that you are growing emotionally and spiritually.…
“One whose happiness is within, who is active within, who rejoices within and is illumined within, is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme.” – Bhagavad Gita (5.24)
While journaling, one day you may get scared and discover your fears and insecurities. Probably you tried to…
“Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master and without doing so, no one is able to go back to godhead.”
– Srila Prabhupada (Shrimad Bhagavatam purport, 1.5.24)
Journaling improves Self-Awareness
Right now are you aware of the room…
My inspiration to write regular journals is the following quote of Srila Prabhupada:
“Realization means you should write, every one of you, what is your realization. What for this Back to Godhead is? You write your realization, what you have realized about Krishna. That is required. It is not passive. Always you should be active.…
“I see all people rushing full speed into Your mouths, as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire.”
– Bhagavad Gita (11.29)
My close shave and the subsequent epiphany taught me a sacred lesson.
‘Slow’ gives spiritual insight
If I hadn’t slowed down, I’d have likely carried the fearful experience with me for the…
“By the slow process of devotional service, under the guidance of the bonafide spiritual master, one can attain the highest stage, being freed from all material attachment, from the fearfulness… from the frustrations... Then one can ultimately attain to the abode of the Supreme Lord.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Purport, Bhagavad Gita 4.10)
The sword…
“We must chant with the proper service attitude – not demanding love of God, but chanting for Krishna's pleasure.”
– Radhanath Swami
Krishna dasa does the needful on his various roles, and then sits to chant. For him, chanting is important but not the first thing in the morning. He confessed that during his initial…
“I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the Holy Name of Krishna.”
- Srila Prabhupada, on board the ship Jaladuta, Commonwealth Pier, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (dated 18th of September, 1965)
Two sincere spiritual practitioners – Rama dasa and Krishna dasa (names changed) are chanting Hare Krishna for…
However, when I spend time with Krishna, mind’s crafty schemes are not necessarily checkmated. He is biding his time, and would pounce on me at the least expected moment. He is determined to keep me in the external world, and he does that with myriad thoughts. But the more attentive I am in my Krishna…
“…..After capturing animals, a cunning hunter does not put faith in them, for they might run away. Similarly, those who are advanced in spiritual life do not put faith in the mind. Indeed, they always remain vigilant and watch the mind's action.” – Shrimad Bhagavatam (5.6.2)
Just as a lover feels unloved in a relationship,…