Krishna yoga – a hobby or a serious commitment?
Posted on : 03-01-2012 | By : Krishna Yoga | In : Chanting, What is the lifestyle conducive for Hare Krishna yoga?
Tags: Chanting, hare krishna, hobby, krishna, krishna yoga, love, radhanath swami, spiritual, superficiality
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Similarly someone’s hobby may be Krishna yoga. This means he loves the process but when it really matters, he may not practise it seriously. Also having a hobby implies that when I am materially comfortable and things are going nice in my life, I may chant and visit the temple. Since Krishna consciousness is only a hobby, I can compromise on the standards when other ‘important’ things confront my existence. Krishna consciousness is then one of the many interests and pursuits that I have; therefore I may practise the process without serious commitment or ritualistically and even abandon the spiritual principles during testing times.
Even a seriously committed practitioner may over a period of time fall into this trap of ritualistic Bhakti. Initially we find it an exciting challenge to give up our material pursuits and are enthusiastic in kirtans and japa. But as the pressure of increasing services mounts, we may become so absorbed in our responsibilities that we have hardly any time to ask if our sadhana is being executed in proper consciousness or not. In fact we may even justify our lower standards in the name of so many important things to do. Our Bhakti is then a ritualistic affair. If we aren’t investing our consciousness in remembering Krishna, we are trapped in the cycle of mechanical life, non-different from the materialistic people’s lives. Of course the devotional services that we are rendering will fetch us rich spiritual benefits. However as long as we are not reconfirming to Krishna our will to serve Him and are not restating our desire to love Him, our activities continue to be devoid of spiritual substance.
Radhanath Swami’s humble appeal ring in my ears,
“Please take this Krishna consciousness very seriously. Seriousness means without ulterior motives, doing it with a very genuine intention. Gradually as we are hearing, as we are chanting and as we are following the path of Bhakti, we are supposed to be developing deeper, pure intention. Otherwise, we could chant 16 rounds or 64 rounds for hundreds and thousands of births and never see Krishna. Although we are making some progress, but eventually we have to come to that platform of really reciprocating with what Krishna is giving us, by following sincerely, seriously and without ulterior motive.”
These instructions are as clear as the noon day sun; we’ve to get deeper to get the real benefits, or else we may hover on the superficial platform of Krishna yoga and not even realize 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. 
Very true that sometimes practice becomes ritual & we forget to take the essence. Thanks for reminding that scincere & prayerful chanting will help us go deep & become pure, only then we can see krishna.
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stomach gets hit, but her of far down the line to Happier.
against she blends the Stuffing groin me her the full from her hand.
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Krishna consciousness is a serious business and requires a very high degree of discipline and commitment to one self.
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Thank you Radhanath swami for recommending us to take this Krishna consciousness very seriously otherwise we don’t get the real benefit of loving Krishna.
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This article tells us the importance of seriousnly applying the philosophy of Bhakti Yoga.
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Thank you very much maharaj. It will helps us to become sincere & serious in our sadhana. Thank you so much.
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One must be sincere, serious and without ulterior motives to make progress in spiritual life.
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With seriousness and without ulterior motives one should practice devotional service to Krishna, otherwise, the he will lose the right path. All glories to HH Radhjanatha Swami Maharaja.
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This type of articles will shake us to become serious in our sadhana. Thank you Maharaj.
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The instructions of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj are very clear. We have to just practice. Thank you Maharaj for reminding again and again.
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really so many times it has happened with me that so called incresed responsibility reduces time for sadana and end up with some big mistakes . thanku maharaj for highlighting the essence for sadana here
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In a path of Bhakti, whatever we do without ulterior motives is bound to attract Krishna's mercy.
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Amazingly clear and deep article. Its very true that soon once in the process, our attention is more on services and the sadhana takes back seat. Main reason being the sadhana does not get immediate glory and visible results. I myself is victim to this trap and am trying hard since some time to get over it…definitely quite difficult..but such article really shake us up to rearrange our priority again and come to the stage of selfless genuine services. Thanx a million. I hope i am able to improve my sadhana with this insight.
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We should keep the instruction of HH Radhanath Swami that to be serious, sincere and without ulterior motives under all situations as our top priority to be always conscious of Krishna.
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Thank u for sharing this wonderful ariticle. Even in service attitude also we should be very careful. Complicency and false ego may hamper our spiritual process. All Ulterior motives should be given up in all kinds of devotional service to the lord and devotees. In fact I had few realizations from the above.
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O Krsna… thank you for posting this article…. it has really saved me…. chanting, reading and hearing is indeed top most service….. reconfirming to Krsna our will to serve Him and our deep desire to love Him ….. will make Krsna Consciousness as our natural style of living life… all glories to HH Radhanath Maharaj for His lectures that we are constantly reminded of this and are practicing it….
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That means we need to dive deeper to really understand Krishna and reciprocate with what he expects from us.
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HH Radhanath Swami has so graciously given a deep insight into the commitment required of a serious Bhakti Yogi.
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thank you radhanath swami maharaj for this is very essential instruction for us…,
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Excellent article. As we progress in our spiritual life, the barometer is given here. Are we developing pure intentions in serving lord and his devotees. Too good article
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Thank you for sharing this grave instruction from Radhanath Swami.
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Formula to see Krishna – follow KC with sincerity, seriousness and without ulterior motives!
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Timely reminder and warning here for a spiritual practioner not to become complacent! "If we aren’t investing our consciousness in remembering Krishna, we are trapped in the cycle of mechanical life, non-different from the materialistic people’s lives. "
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"Please take this Krishna consciousness very seriously. Seriousness means without ulterior motives, doing it with a very genuine intention"- very striking words.
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A thought provoking article. Truly this article makes us introspect on our quality of Krishna conscious practice.
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Really inspiring article.It really made me think if my bhakti is ritualistic or truely source of love for Krsna.
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Thank you for your valuable articles which are really inspiring us daily in our Krsna consciousness. Thank you for directly going to the essence and making us view our devotional practice in a serious light.
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Wife an excellent cook a good example. And advise from Radhanath Swami the following of path by sincerely, seriously and without ulterior motive, is eye opening.
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A very thought provoking article which helps us contemplate on quality of our sadhana! Thanks for sharing it !
Radhanath Swami’s instructions reconfirm what the author says !
Thanks Prabhu !
Hare Krishna !
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