I’ve been really inspired in my Krishna consciousness lately so I thought I’d share it out a bit. The main thing in Krishna consciousness is japa. Some will say otherwise but I go off what Prabhupada said.
We cannot become fully Krishna conscious without chanting good quality rounds daily. Chanting is the most powerful way to become Krishna conscious.
– Srila Prabhupada
I was chanting my rounds badly until recently. I would chant some at the start of the day and then just fit the rest in around my “important things to do” (none of which I can remember and so probably weren’t that important…) Then I was hanging out with some guys from a 12-step program. They inspired me by how spiritually sincere and active they were. Their main goal is to become the version of themselves God wants them to be and surrender every single thought, word, and deed that compromises that. They do this as a matter of urgency because, without being of service, being grateful, and doing the “next right thin,g” they say they will drink. They say, any thought that isn’t of God is poison and that if they act on it, they will be insane. Something like that.. Our scriptures say the same thing:
When the soul exists for sense gratification, he creates different desires, & for that reason he becomes subjected to designations. But when one is in the transcendental position, he is not interested in anything except fulfilling the desires of the Lord
- Srila Prabhupada
Since starting to put more of an effort into my japa, I have vowed to chant 16 in one go every weekend. Since doing that I’ve also elevated my japa on the other days. Actually so many things have come out of it but the main thing is I’m becoming happier and peaceful most of the time which is pretty amazing. I didn’t realise how negative I actually was until today I was on public transport and I noticed the absence of judginess and complaining in my head. My head is usually like a radio constantly tuned into a channel that would advertise itself as “The only channel where we only play depressing music and talk about everything that’s wrong with everything and everyone!” Instead of negging out, I’m actually being a good person - something my mentor told me to start doing a year ago lol.Today I saw a lady who dropped her trolley. Usually if someone looked fit and like they were just about to fix something like that themselves, I would just make the excuse “they dont need help, they’re fine anyway” This time I got up helped. By the time I got to her, she had indeed picked it up herself but I didnt let that stop me. I took it off her and phisically put it where she was trying to store it on the ferry. I tied the rope to it aswell and she was stoked. I read in a book called Atomic Habits that the real reason to build habits is not to be the guy with all the disciplines and rituals. It’s about who you become. By helping wherever possible, I’m becoming the person I’ve always wanted to be - the guy old ladies love LOL!
I wont go into detail about the person I want to become here. Instead I will just keep sharing the break throughs I have in my spiritual journey. Everybreakthrough is one step closer to not only my ideal self, but the spiritual being God made me to be - which is probably way cooler than the person I aspire to be..
The button below takes you to ISKCON Desire Trees website with tons of content. I haven’t listened to this talk yet, but I’m going to consume everything I can on this topic. If you click ‘japa’ up the top of the site, you will see everything they have from every speaker in ISKCON on the topic of Japa
And lastly, if you’re a devotee who has fallen off the wagon with your japa, then this is for you. Unlike the talk linked above, I have read this a bunch of times. At one point 2 years ago, I would read it once a year! But seriously, its one of the most important essays ever written. Read it and prove me wrong.
Here’s a workshop on Japa by someone I respect and Love. I’ve also had the privelage of serving him with one of his projects. If anyone struggles with Lust or Porn, I can relate. A couple of years ago I gave up a life long habit with those thanks to this project. If anyone wants to know more about it, hit me up.
