Chalking out the path...

[Premanjana]

Hare Krsna. I am not very intelligent. I often become bewildered while try to understand the essence of the principles. I have a partial and theoretical understanding that our happiness only resides in being conscious of Krsna and seeing everything in relations to him. I struggle with the concept of following in the footsteps though. To what degree do we follow the rigidity of the rules and regulations? I see others in the movement not follow rigidly but are specializing in different aspects and are bringing new people to the movement. These devotees are advanced by possessing different qualities and are alot more conscious of what the are doing(In the moment). In the sense of being "balanced" they have girlfriends, play sports, listen to Karmi music, and are focused on learning thier careers. Most of which can be dovetailed. As for someone who just wants to increase his faith in "krsna is the source of our happiness" and not deviate, how does one properly understand whether to remain struggling with following bhakti yoga or to become "balanced"?

-Prem-

[JK Hauraki]

Hari Premajana,

Yes I would be a good example of this.
Although one should always strive to live within the four regulated principles of NO meat eating, NO intoxication, NO illicit Sex and NO Gambling. As this gives the devotee perfect grounding for expert devotional service for as long as one is situated in sin they cannot know God.
Although in saying that, I remember being in a similar situation.
and came to the conclusion of baby steps. Meaning one thing at a time.. If you still eat meat try and cut that out and then continue through the principles always remembering that the more you chant the Maha-mantra the soul starts to purify itself and gives up material activities for spiritual activties as ones tastes change.
Dont bet yourself up about it, this is not by any means an easy thing to do, the Intitates of Srila Prabhpada's ISKCON are as Srila Prabhupada would say, "these are not ordinary people" they have taken to God consciousness completely and are surrendered to Krsna and are in a Pure state of loving of God.
Now thats a tall order for anyone but one they so rightly deserve, although it is essential to remember that we all deserve a place in the Lords abode and must strive for this as we are all of the same essence, but there is a time and a place for everything and a reason that it happens when it happens. So just Continue Chanting the Lords names in Love and devotion and reading the sastras, this is the best thing you can do for yourself right now and the greatest humanatarian act for all.

Krsna himself promises in the Bhagavad-gita (2:40)
"There is no loss of diminution in this endeavor, and even a little advancement on this path protects one from the most feaful type of danger".

Hare Krsna

JK
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