Using Prabhupada Memories 

Just as we maintain our aging bodies by exercise and rest, so the memories have to be exercised.  One has to be humble and accept even little memories as worthwhile.  We should seek any occasion to talk about Prabhupada in a natural way.  We must also be humble to recognize that other devotees are repositories of Prabhupada-katha, and hear from them without envy. 

Approaching memories of Srila Prabhupada requires humility.  There is also an art to it.  We should remember in an honest way.  For example, when a remembrance first returns to us, it may be disappointing.  This is due to our lack of devotion, or our poor memories.  In a similar way, sometimes a devotee attempts to paint a portrait of Prabhupada, but it doesn’t come out nicely.  We may point out the defect (gently) and encourage the artist to try again.

Ultimately, the best way to retain an original freshness in Krishna consciousness is to go beyond the neophyte stage and become a pure devotee.  A pure devotee of the Lord spontaneously sees Krishna in all things.  As stated in the Īśopaniṣad, “He who sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord, who sees all entities as His parts and parcels, and who sees the Supreme Lord within everything, never hates anything or any being.”  When one attains the stage of spontaneous Krishna consciousness, then he will truly love Krishna and Prabhupada and see their influence everywhere.  Such a pure devotee will never be disturbed by “familiarity” or opposition to Krishna consciousness.  The maha-bhagavata stage cannot be imitated, but we can improve our condition so that we do not fall away or become merely official devotees.

Even at our present stage of advancement, whatever it may be, we can appreciate Prabhupada with our hearts, as he actually occurs in our lives, sometimes humorously, and sometimes tragically, as when we neglect him.  Although our memories and our service on behalf of Prabhupada sometimes come out poorly, let us accept them for what they are and seek to improve them.