1. On Simplicity

    May 24, 2013
    Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati, the beloved spiritual teacher of his divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, emphasized that the foundational quality of a true devotee is simplicity. Without this, Bhakti cannot be real or deep. What is simplicity? In one sense it means we don’t need a lot of things to be happy. We are content with simple things. Watching the sunrise, and then waiting sometime and watching the sunset. These are very simple joys in life. Hearing the birds singing in the trees, sitting on the banks of a river contemplating...

  2. On Austerity

    May 22, 2013
    My revered spiritual master Srila Prabhupada used to say that human life is meant for austerity. So what is austerity? Austerity is to accept what is favorable for Bhakti and to reject what is unfavorable for Bhakti. It’s not our austerity that attracts Krishna, it’s the love that we give through the austerity. If we are performing our austerities for awakening that love then it will be a positive aid to achieve that love – a means of deepening that love. Our austerities are to express to Krishna our sincere...

  3. On the Search for Pleasure

    May 20, 2013
    We learn from the great souls what is truly of value in life.  We will really understand what the treasure of life is by following in the footsteps of great souls. What is the fulfillment and aspirations of the soul? By hearing from great souls like Prahlad we will find out material desires go deep into the heart due to conditioning since time immemorial. Even if we have some understanding that this is not good for me, still it is very difficult to overcome. It takes determination, tolerance and engaging the...

  4. On Unity

    May 17, 2013
      One of the greatest powers in all fields of life is unity. But there is a fundamental problem, that there are so many diversified distinctions between living beings. Everyone has their own conception of their identity, and this creates a natural conflict amongst those who look different, think different, or act different. There has always been conflict between the castes, not only in India but all over the world, it may go by different names. There is the educational class, administrative class, working class, and there is the class...

  5. Three Planes of Consciousness

    April 30, 2013
    Essentially there are three planes of consciousness: enjoyment, renunciation and devotion. 1. Enjoyment In order to survive, the environment is geared towards exploitation. Why? Because of selfishness. We put ourselves in the center and this results in conflict as everyone has a different center. 2. Renunciation It is taught that there can be no peace in this material existence because everything is temporary and there is so much conflict. To renounce everything and have a deep dreamless sleep – no more pain and suffering, everything is just peaceful! Yet death...