Enthusiasm melts God’s heart
Posted on : 12-08-2011 | By : Krishna Yoga | In : Chanting, How is Hare Krishna meditation an open secret?
Tags: enthusiasm, grace, happy, lethargic, radhanath swami, responsibility
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Enthusiasm is the key to find spiritual joy while chanting. A mechanical approach to Bhakti Yoga involves simply the external fingering of beads, and a ritualistic murmuring of the Holy Names. This makes spirituality in general a dry affair and the process of chanting Hare Krishna, in particular, appears dull and boring. Enthusiasm breaks the jinx of listless and unemotional endeavours, and makes spiritual life refreshing. To the extent a chanter is eager to attract God’s blessings to that extent one invests his or her feelings into the chanting.
The need for being enthusiastic also arises due to the mind’s repeated tendency to throw up our past conditionings and suck our enthusiasm through a barrage of negative thoughts. Enthusiasm is also not to be restricted to the one to two hours of practise of Hare Krishna meditation. We can’t be lethargic and unresponsive to spiritual vibrations throughout the day and suddenly switch over to be enthusiastic during the chanting session. It just won’t work. Being enthusiastic is a culture that has to be imbibed in all aspects of our spiritual life.
But what if I don’t feel enthusiastic? “Act enthusiastically”, suggests Radhanath Swami. But isn’t that artificial? “No”, Radhanath Swami reassures, “if we act with eagerness to serve Krishna, to hear about Krishna, to chant Krishna’s name, and to be with Krishna’s devotees, that is the sign of our sincerity. And that eagerness will melt Krishna’s heart.” This profound wisdom contains the secret of success in spiritual life. Success on the path of Bhakti Yoga is all about attracting Lord’s grace, and this grace is independent of our plans to advance on the spiritual path. Grace showers on us by God’s free will. The only thing we can do is be enthusiastic in our practise, and pray to Krishna to accept our offering of chanting.
It’s easy to practise the Hare Krishna yoga when we feel enthusiastic and happy. But spiritual life is not simply about ‘feelings’; it’s also a life of serious responsibility. Our actual test of sincerity is how we respond when we don’t ‘feel’ enthusiastic while practising the Hare Krishna yoga. That’s when we show Krishna whether we are practising the process for our own selfish satisfaction or for His pleasure. If we feel happiness and enthusiasm while chanting, that’s not so much love because everyone likes to do what makes them happy and enthusiastic. But when we are willing to chant with the same enthusiasm, even if the heart feels like a dry desert with no emotion at all, we are showing Krishna that we are serious practitioners. And that pleases Krishna to shower His grace unlimitedly.
Radhanath Swami warns the practitioners of Hare Krishna yoga to be careful and not seek respect and honour for being enthusiastic. We can’t pretend to be advanced practitioners by our enthusiasm; we are enthusiastic so that God is pleased by our efforts. Our goal is not to pretend to be enthusiastic for some material benefits, but show enthusiasm till we become enthusiastic. As Radhanath Swami once quipped, “fake it till you make it”.
Pareshan is troubled by his inability to chant attentively. He feels frustrated as the chanting session leaves him tired and dry. He’s heard in classes that the Holy Names of Krishna is sweeter than the sweetest. 
I especially liked the heading that enthusiasm melts Krishna, thanks for sharing this
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I was requiring to one such motivating topic only i.e. being always enthusiastic in Krishna Yoga. Thank you Radhanath Swami for such a wonderful realization.
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thank you Maharaj for giving a simple process for chanting the Holy Name
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Thank you Maharaj for such a wonderful solution to progress in spirituality..Chanting holy name with most enthusiastically can help us to overcome our mental attitudes..
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One can really be enthusiastic just following and associating with enthusiastic people like HH Radhanath Swami. Its contagious.
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When you don’t feel enthusiastic then act enthusiastic. As Radhanath Swami says Our eagerness to hear and serve will bring us closer to Krishna and please him”.
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Really such a profound explaiantion is given about the sincere seeker of Krishna conciousness.Thank you so much Maharaj .
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Very nice statement "To the extent a chanter is eager to attract God’s blessings to that extent one invests his or her feelings into the chanting.". If we really want to be submerged in the ecstacy of love of Godhead, we have to make our sadhna perfect by chanting our prescribed number of rounds very sincerly and seriously.
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This post was a much needed one for me! I liked the point where you mention how the real test of our seriousness is when we're willing to chant enthusiastically even when we don't feel like it..
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many thanks for the wonderful blog and many thanks to Radhanath swami for these wonderful realizations and techniques
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What I understand is that spiritual life means sincerely accepting responsibility
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A nice post.A perfect defination of sinceirity and enthuasism.A tough job but a definite problem solver of birth,old age,desease and death.Thank you very much.
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Good advice. Act enthusiastically even not enthusiastic. Really wonderful. All glories to Radhanatha Swami.
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Thank you Radhanath Swami for woderful advice on being enthusiastic.
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although enthusiasm is a difficult one for me…reading this gives me idea and deeper understanding. Thanks.
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Act enthusiastically and you really feel it. Thanks Maharaj for this tip
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Thank you very much for sharing.
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Radhanath Swami warns the practitioners of Hare Krishna yoga to be careful and not seek respect and honor for being enthusiastic.
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thanx for sharing wonderful instruction of Radha nath Maharaj explained based on scriptures.
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Hare Krishna…nice article about how to develop enthusiasm towards chanting the holy name if we don't have enthusiasm. Thank u Radhanath Swami.
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rereading… “Act enthusiastically” is a really good one! Thanks Maharaj!
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'…But spiritual life is not simply about ‘feelings’; it’s also a life of serious responsibility.'…Real heart touching statement..not only touching..but shaking my sleeping soul to rise to reality of repsonsibility!!! Thanx a lot..very inspiring to me, reminding me to be enthusiastic to take serious responsibility… with practical tips to atract grace of the Lord..thanx a million..wonderful article. Please share more of such teachings of Radhanath Swami.
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Enthusiasm is the key
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Wonderful practical tips to become really enthusiastic. Very nice one.
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A very nice reading. "if we act with eagerness to serve Krishna, to hear about Krishna, to chant Krishna’s name, and to be with Krishna’s devotees, that is the sign of our sincerity. And that eagerness will melt Krishna’s heart." – a very beautiful statement by Radhanath Swami. In the end, Radhanath Swami's tells about the danger of seeking respect for being enthusiastic….that is a great trap of Maya, and practicing devotees must always be careful not to fall in such traps. Thank you very much, Radhanath Swami, for giving such practical insights.
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But when you see-hear Radhanath swami, enthusiasm comes. thats the secret
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Radhanath Swami is the most enthusiastic speaker that I have come across
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Every one is enthusiastic for some or the other achievement in life. But if we really take the help of above mentioned guidelines and be enthusiastic in our spiritual life, we will definitely reach very near to the goal of life soon.
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Sometimes enthusiasm really isn't there, but this article really explains how we can get that enthusiasm and why its important. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for sharing the words "Enthusiasm is the key to find spiritual joy"
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secret to Bhakti yoga- enthusiasm!
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Amazing artilce – "Being enthusiastic is a culture that has to be imbibed in all aspects of our spiritual life."
“if we act with eagerness to serve Krishna, to hear about Krishna, to chant Krishna’s name, and to be with Krishna’s devotees, that is the sign of our sincerity. And that eagerness will melt Krishna’s heart.”
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Amazing and inspiring thoughts on the nature of enthusiasm.
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I often find myself perplexed over this issue and must say that this is a very hope giving article.
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practical tips on getting to be enthusiastic!
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What a wonderful explanation of a sincere seeker of Krishna's mercy. Exemplary article.
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A message that is much needed for me…. reading this article gives me enthusiasm to be enthusiastic. Thanks very much
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"Our goal is not to pretend to be enthusiastic for some material benefits, but show enthusiasm till we become enthusiastic."
Very good quote. Thank u.
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