Not Being Selective in Following Instructions, Inquiries Into the Absolute, Digest 398
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ServiceTeam
Feb 19, 2013, 11:26:08 PM2/19/13
to Inquiries Into the Absolute
Digest 398, March 2nd, 2013. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami
Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami
at ma...@iita.info with the word "Question" included in the subject
line or submit your question at http://www.romapadaswami.com/?q=feedback/Question.
*Not Being Selective in Following Instructions*
```````````````````````````````````````````````
781) I do 5 rounds everyday but sometimes I don't have time to do my
rounds or I am just being lazy. Regarding my question, sometimes I am
selective to follow instructions given by you how do I avoid being
selective? I would like to practice not being selective in following
my spiritual master's instructions.
Answer: Chanting is the most important of all of our activities in
Krishna consciousness and it is very important that we maintain a
regular practice of chanting our rounds everyday.
The instructions we receive are meant to be followed and implemented
in our life. Within any instruction is the capacity to carry out the
instruction and if you take shelter of it properly, it can carry you
beyond your limitations. Sometimes, we may not be able to follow a
particular instruction immediately and perfectly. It is ok to take
small steps toward the goal. However, being selective or neglecting
portions of an instruction out of convenience is not healthy. And from
a self-honest platform, one must take guidance on how to execute it.
NOT neglecting the instruction, but always keeping the instruction in
the forefront of one's consciousness and depending on the Lord for the
strength needed to execute the instruction, one can implement the
instruction to the best of one’s ability.
Let's take the example of Dhritarastra who was very selective in
hearing and applying instructions from his wise brother Vidura.
Dhritarastra had filters while hearing and heard what he wanted to
hear. Vidura gave him so much good advice, but Dhritarastra neglected
them because of his attachment to his son, power and position. He was
just not able to correct his own son Duryodhana from doing evil acts
although he received so many instructions on this matter.
Bali Maharaja on the other hand is an example of someone who followed
the instruction of Vamanadeva in full, on the strength of his loving
relationship with the Supreme Lord. Bali Maharaja even took the great
risk of transgressing the order of his so-called pseudo spiritual
master and being cursed by him for the sake of following the
instructions of his beloved Lord.
So, when you feel you are being selective in following instructions,
you could ask, "Why am I being selective?" or "Why am I not able to
follow this particular instruction?" And, with a proper inquisitive
spirit and dependence on the mercy of the Lord, we can become more
aware of our deep-rooted attachments that block us in following the
instructions. As long as we are self-honest and willing to accept
guidance, there is hope. In order to practice not being selective, you
can try these simple steps:
1. Meditate on the lives of great personalities who followed the
instructions given to them as their life and soul - e.g. Srila
Prabhupada!
2. Remembering and acting in the relationship with the person from
whom we are receiving the instructions.
3. Take guidance on addressing the blocks/challenges in applying the
instruction.
In essence, every instruction is for application, in practical terms.
Implementation of an instruction may be problematic, and it may
require relinquishing of attachments and patterns of behavior, etc.
But, they are our life and soul and we must strive to implement or
follow them with faith and gratitude, and if needed, seek support and
guidance. And, thus if we stay in line with the instructions of the
spiritual master, we are spiritually protected.
*************************
Previous questions and answers are available with subject
classification at http://www.romapadaswami.com/inquiries
Digests 1-242 are included as a PDF file at:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/Inquiries/IITA_full.pdf
Lectures: http://www.romapadaswami.com/audio
Brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/HHRPS_bio
**************************
To (un)subscribe please email ma...@iita.info with the word (un)
subscribe in the subject.
Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami
at ma...@iita.info with the word "Question" included in the subject
line or submit your question at http://www.romapadaswami.com/?q=feedback/Question.
*Not Being Selective in Following Instructions*
```````````````````````````````````````````````
781) I do 5 rounds everyday but sometimes I don't have time to do my
rounds or I am just being lazy. Regarding my question, sometimes I am
selective to follow instructions given by you how do I avoid being
selective? I would like to practice not being selective in following
my spiritual master's instructions.
Answer: Chanting is the most important of all of our activities in
Krishna consciousness and it is very important that we maintain a
regular practice of chanting our rounds everyday.
The instructions we receive are meant to be followed and implemented
in our life. Within any instruction is the capacity to carry out the
instruction and if you take shelter of it properly, it can carry you
beyond your limitations. Sometimes, we may not be able to follow a
particular instruction immediately and perfectly. It is ok to take
small steps toward the goal. However, being selective or neglecting
portions of an instruction out of convenience is not healthy. And from
a self-honest platform, one must take guidance on how to execute it.
NOT neglecting the instruction, but always keeping the instruction in
the forefront of one's consciousness and depending on the Lord for the
strength needed to execute the instruction, one can implement the
instruction to the best of one’s ability.
Let's take the example of Dhritarastra who was very selective in
hearing and applying instructions from his wise brother Vidura.
Dhritarastra had filters while hearing and heard what he wanted to
hear. Vidura gave him so much good advice, but Dhritarastra neglected
them because of his attachment to his son, power and position. He was
just not able to correct his own son Duryodhana from doing evil acts
although he received so many instructions on this matter.
Bali Maharaja on the other hand is an example of someone who followed
the instruction of Vamanadeva in full, on the strength of his loving
relationship with the Supreme Lord. Bali Maharaja even took the great
risk of transgressing the order of his so-called pseudo spiritual
master and being cursed by him for the sake of following the
instructions of his beloved Lord.
So, when you feel you are being selective in following instructions,
you could ask, "Why am I being selective?" or "Why am I not able to
follow this particular instruction?" And, with a proper inquisitive
spirit and dependence on the mercy of the Lord, we can become more
aware of our deep-rooted attachments that block us in following the
instructions. As long as we are self-honest and willing to accept
guidance, there is hope. In order to practice not being selective, you
can try these simple steps:
1. Meditate on the lives of great personalities who followed the
instructions given to them as their life and soul - e.g. Srila
Prabhupada!
2. Remembering and acting in the relationship with the person from
whom we are receiving the instructions.
3. Take guidance on addressing the blocks/challenges in applying the
instruction.
In essence, every instruction is for application, in practical terms.
Implementation of an instruction may be problematic, and it may
require relinquishing of attachments and patterns of behavior, etc.
But, they are our life and soul and we must strive to implement or
follow them with faith and gratitude, and if needed, seek support and
guidance. And, thus if we stay in line with the instructions of the
spiritual master, we are spiritually protected.
*************************
Previous questions and answers are available with subject
classification at http://www.romapadaswami.com/inquiries
Digests 1-242 are included as a PDF file at:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/Inquiries/IITA_full.pdf
Lectures: http://www.romapadaswami.com/audio
Brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/HHRPS_bio
**************************
To (un)subscribe please email ma...@iita.info with the word (un)
subscribe in the subject.
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