Introducing “Ahimsa Balancing”
As an aspiring devotee of Krishna, I face a moral problem: I am pro-dairy but anti-cruelty and anti-slaughter, and I know that the dairy industry and the slaughter industry are partners in cruelty and killing.
Most times we can’t make up our mind. Even when we do, we keep changing our mind. When there are challenges, we lose our mind.
When Prabhupada was asked by his disciple Vishal, “Should the wife do whatever the husband says?” Prabhupada replied, “And you should be so arrogant?”
When we practice bhakti, we often expect to become freed from problems. And if that expectation is not met, we become disheartened.
Those who read Cowherd Boys Nectar will find in it nourishment, opening of the heart, and delight, often all at once. Dasaratha-Suta’s introductory essays help the reader understand the worship of Krsna in transcendental friendship in the context of Gaudiya Vaisnava thought and practice.
I don’t propose to have the absolute answer or cure for cancer but I will go out on a limb and say that the following twelve tips will absolutely help you avoid it.
The idea of activism – of being a part of some cause that helps makes things better in the world – is increasingly catching on. It has become much cooler than what it was a few decades ago, when greed ruled the roost.
If I want to place an intention, I need to focus my attention. But then, where is my heart? Where do I place my affection?
In a holistic and visionary way, what are the deepest needs and hungers of family, of community, of society, of the world? We know when women’s voices are silenced a door opens for children and women themselves to become abused.
Oh my Lord of golden limbs / Raised hands / And love drunk eyes, / Cause a revolution / In my heart!
Our time with japa is super important. A serious student of bhakti, the practice of self-realization in relationship with Krishna, will take a vow to chant a set number of rounds every day.
"I am Yours now, so please, take me / where you will, teach me about / eternity and other things of / consequence..."
Balance is a key component of the bhakti practice - the art of remembering Krishna and our relationship with him. When our life goes to the extremes - it can overwhelm us and move us away from that remembrance.
We long to be free. And we long for love. Yet love and freedom don’t seem to go together.
The word “soul” sometimes refers non-literally to the things that matter the most to us. Such a non-literal usage features in the phrase “to sell one’s soul.”
Have you heard it said these days that the secret to happiness is to lower your expectations? It makes sense, doesn’t it? We often put so much pressure on ourselves or each other, due to our unnecessary or overblown expectations.
When something upsets us, we can remind ourselves: “Yes, this is the material world, and this is bound to happen. When a stone drops into water, it will get wet. When a soul drops into the material world, it will experience miseries."
Hinduism contains probably the most lucid exposition of the distinction between body, mind and soul; and it also asserts that each of us should have the opportunity to enjoy good health, the full span of life and the use of all our physical and mental faculties. These philosophical issues are often assumed to be opposing and, indeed, some individuals may be extreme in their personal outlook.
Some people say, “Everything that happens is God’s will.” They may think that such a statement conveys their unquestioning faith, but does it really? Or does it raise disturbing questions that detract from God’s goodness?
During kirtan, experienced chanters often call us to chant from the heart, not just the mind. We are called to go from mindfulness to heartfulness. But, how do we find the place of the heart?
It is only by intentional practices that we can begin to access spiritual tastes and emotions that are less obvious and more refined.
"When we turn away from the sun, we face our shadow. When we turn away from God, our original Source, we see ourselves as separate, and fear arises."
Just as our phone disturbs us externally, our mind disturb us internally.
One of my favourite BBC Radio Four shows is Desert Island Discs. At the end of every show the guest is figuratively sent to the island with a copy of the Bible and the entire works of Shakespeare. They can also have a book of their own choice and some important item.
