Re: Offender chanting Hare Krishna

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

Dear Mihir, please accept, my full dandavat pranams!

Hope you can come back as soon as possible.

I am not so qualified to answer your question, but I will try to open a dialogue, so that others may share their knowldge and insights.

As we are sadhakas we have to cultivate determination and enthusiasm for the process. Srila Rupa Goswami in Upadesamrita recommends this enthusiasm if I recall correctly. So, really that is a key when ruci (taste) has not fully blossomed.

There is a postive process and a negative process. Cultivate all things that inspire you to remember Krsna (positive process)! Reject all things that inspire you to forget Krsna (negative process)!

As far as I understand the main reason we commit offences is because we forget everything is Krsna and his energy. Anything not in relation to Krsna is maya. As the heart begins to clean itself of dust through the chanting process we will begin to discern more easily what  is in relation to Krsna and what is not.

So I would understand (I may be wrong here) steadiness means, always being conscious of Krsna. So, as we are sadhakas the more we saturate our daily goings with things that enthuse us (in relation to Krsna)...the mind will be well trained.

For example, I am not a pure devotee, but for relaxation I will go somewhere nice on a sunny day and read about Krsna (and try to see him). I love computers and reading and music, so I will have fun that way (thinking of Him). I don't know if that is anywhere near pure devotion...but all the little things build...and so on, day by day we grow. Bhakti begins to blossom.

As far as chanting goes (the main process), I love Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas more and more as time goes by. I want to chant and associate with them everyday...and as they are persons they will reciprocate. They will attract us Mihir...the more we call out for their company.

Last year I chanted alot...100,000 names per day for eight months. Then I stopped due to lack of taste (dry)! Now I chant much less, and am amazed at how beautiful these two Holy Names are. I have found what attracts these two Lords is humility and honesty...doing what we can in love (simple sincerity). They will lift us to the goal in due course. Srila Prabhupada said sincerity is the qualification. The devotees at Nitaai Sangha are most fortunate, the Lord inspires sincerity.

When I first met Gurudeva over the telephone, he requested I "simply chant 10 rounds each of Nityananda! Gauranga! everyday...as they have given us so many gifts in this life". That was the most excellent wisdom ever imparted to my heart. Gurudeva gave the key to steadiness, now I am moving toward that goal. Even one Holy Name chanted purely will take us home...and remember Lords Nityananda/Gauranga do not take offence...but simply clear all obstacles on the path. We have to simply call Them, they will come!

Hope this helps you in some small way.

in service....Nava.

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