Top of the Pyramid

Humans are considered to be the most advanced of all the existing species. This is evident by the impact that Humans have had on the face of earth. So what makes us different from the other species? Or what makes us humans?

The first though that comes to mind in response to the above questions is “Intelligence”. It is the intelligence or the wisdom that a man possesses that makes him excel in all spheres of life. In the past centuries, human civilization has come a long way, From Realty space to Cosmo Space to Cyber Space. We have highly developed defense technology, advanced medical science and modern infrastructure that was a part of the last centuries’ sci-fi novels and movies. The success is not just the ability to soar high but also to have a keen sight to sense an opportunity. The opportunity to earn more money, eat good food, lead a comfortable life by inventing luxuries and searching for the opposite gender to satisfy carnal desires.

This is akin to a vulture which soars high in the sky, and with its keen sense of sight, it tries to search for something. What is that thing? Nothing! but a decomposed foul-smelling carcass (dead body). So much for the ability to fly high with a highly developed sense of sight, but the object of all this effort is to find a dead body to eat its flesh. This is called useless labor. Similarly humans with their highly developed intelligence, with high qualifications and advanced technologies try to achieve an end. What is this end? Trying to earn money for sense gratification. That sense gratification which is easily available even to animals like a stool eating hog.

Srimad Bhagavatam states [SB 4.31.11]:

srutena tapasa va kim
vacobhis citta-vrrittibhih
buddhya va kim nipunaya
balenendriya-radhasa

Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental speculation, elevated intelligence, strength, and the power of the senses?

Human life is a rare gift. It is invaluable. One doesn’t have to pay any price to attain a human birth. It comes on its own accord and provided by nature as an evolutionary progression to the spirit soul. At the same time it is invaluable because it gives us a chance by which the living entity can attain the highest, the supreme goal of life.

The goal of life is to attain happiness, Permanent Happiness! However the means which we are currently employing to attain happiness will only gives us temporary happiness that too mixed with suffering. Just like sweet rice mixed with sand. Therefore we can understand that in our quest for happiness we are somewhere committing a mistake and should try retracing our steps. Bhagavad-gita proclaims that every living species is originally spiritual and is covered by a material body on a temporary basis. The ignorance caused due to misidentification with matter causes us to feel temporary sorrow or happiness. By directing our energies to the process of self realization we get gradually purified of our misconceptions. As much as our consciousness is developed spiritually in the same proportion we feel inner happiness. This process doesn’t entail dry renunciation but a change in consciousness or perceptions. Instead of trying to enjoy varieties for satisfying selfish interests we should utilize everything in the service of God or Krishna. In any position or situation either of a householder, single, businessman etc the formula of engaging our energies and resources in the service of Krishna reaps good dividends. 

The manual of life

Vedas means, just like this dictaphone machine is manufactured along with one literature is also compiled. So customers, they are given the delivery of the machine as well as the literature how to use it. That is the Vedas. Therefore Krishna says that vedanta-krit, "I am the compiler of the Vedas." Because if He does not give the literature, then how he will use the machine. The manufacturer of the machine, he knows how to use it, what for it is, how to manipulate it. Everything is there. The Vedic knowledge means that. We have come to this material world. So just like we have purchased this machine for some enjoyment, similarly, we are fallen down to this material world for some material pleasure. So Krishna has given, God has given a literature. If you'll be guided by the literature, that, your propensity to enjoy this material world, will be fulfilled, at the same time you'll again be able to go back home, back to Godhead. So now you discuss this point that why we have come to this material world, what is the purpose. These things are mentioned in the Vedas. Vedas gives you knowledge about your relationship with God. That is the first knowledge. And then, according to that relationship, if you act, then you are rightly directed, and ultimately the goal is to go back home, back to Godhead. 

Universal brotherhood redefined

Universal brotherhood is possible when one is a pure devotee. A pure devotee doesn't see the outward dress of the body but sees the spirit soul. "Here is a spirit soul," he thinks "part and parcel of Krishna." He does not think, "Here is a man, here is an animal, here is a cat, here is a dog, here is a worm." He sees everyone as part and parcel of Krishna. He becomes a lover of everyone in the universe." That kind of vision is the basis of universal brotherhood. Brotherhood will not come by passing resolutions in the United Nations. That is not possible. It is possible when one knows that Krishna is the common father of everyone. Suppose father has got ten sons. Out of them one or two sons are useless. So those who are very capable sons, if they say to the father, "My dear father, these two sons of yours, they are useless. So let us cut their throat and eat." So father will say, "Yes, you do that"? No. The father will not tolerate. The father will say, "Let them be useless, but let them live at my cost. You have no right to infringe on their rights." This is common sense. But they think that animals are to be killed for the satisfaction of the tongue of the human being. Just like if you are affectionate to your father, then you naturally become affectionate to your brother. We should take into consideration that even the worms are our brothers, what to speak of other living entities. Therefore, we should be concerned about all living entities. They are preaching universal brotherhood, but "Where is the father, sir?" "Oh, Father is missing." "Then where is the question of brotherhood?" If you don't find your father, then how do you select your brother? These are the imperfectness. 

Reactive v/s Proactive person

As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Look at the word responsibility -- "response-ability" -- the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.

Reactive people are often affected by their physical environment. If the weather is good, they feel good. If it isn't, it affects their attitude and their performance. Proactive people can carry their own weather with them. Whether it rains or shines makes no difference to them. They are value driven; and if their value is to produce good quality work, it isn't a function of whether the weather is conducive to it or not.

Reactive people are also affected by their social environment, by the "social weather." When people treat them well, they feel well; when people don't, they become defensive or protective. Reactive people build their emotional lives around the behavior of others, empowering the weaknesses of other people to control them.

Reactive people are driven by feelings, by circumstances, by conditions, by their environment. Proactive people are driven by values -- carefully thought about, selected and internalized values.

As Eleanor Roosevelt observed, "No one can hurt you without your consent. They cannot take away our self respect if we do not give it to them." 

It is our willing permission, our consent to what happens to us, that hurts us far more than what happens to us in the first place. 

Ousting Differences

God is the Father of all species and forms of life. Besides that, we take this body as a dress. For example, your white shirt is not you. You are different from the white shirt. Similarly, one may have a body, white or black, but he, as spirit soul, is different from the body. Now, we are taking account of the person who is possessing the dress—not the dress but the person. I am talking with you; I am not talking with your shirt. I don’t look to see whether you have put on a white shirt or black shirt. That is not my concern. I am concerned with you as a living being. This is our philosophy. We don’t take account of the outward shirt and coat. This body, this gross body, is just like a coat, and within this gross body there is a subtle body—mind, intelligence and ego. Within that subtle body, the spirit soul is there. And we are trying to deliver the spirit soul from these two kinds of entanglement, subtle and gross. That is our mission. National and religious movements are more or less on the basis of the outward dress. One is Christian because he is born of a Christian father. Is it not? One is American because he is born in the land of America. We say that we are neither Christian nor American, Hindu, Muslim or Indian. We are eternal servants of God. Try to understand this fact and mold your life in this way; then your life will be successful. This is our program. Simple.

A really educated man does not look over the fleshy tabernacle of a living being but he introspects the spirit within the body. A sane man does not see the dress of another man but he sees the man of whom dress is a covering only.

The key to effective confrontation!

The key to effective confrontation is to be firm yet gentle and respectful. Approach the confrontation with the assumption that there is a solution and that you will be able to work things out. Rather than assessing blame and assuming fault, try to see the innocence in yourself as well as in the other person. Rather than using phrases that are almost guaranteed to elicit a defensive response such as: “You’ve made a big mistake and we need to talk,” try instead to say things with a little more humility, something like, “I’m a little confused about something. Can you help me out?”

More important than the words you use, however, are your feelings. Try to avoid confrontation when you’re angry or stressed out. It’s always best to wait a little while until you get your perspective, or until your mood rises. Keep in mind that most people are reasonable, respectful, and willing to listen when dealing with a calm, collected person who is speaking honestly from his heart.
 
When you approach your confrontations in a gentle manner, it not only produces more effective results, but it keeps your own stress level down as well. There is something very comforting about knowing that you’re going to keep yourself cool regardless of what you must do. In addition, you’ll have fewer battles to fight, and those that you do have will be shorter and less severe. You’ll receive more cooperation and respect from others and, perhaps most importantly, your own thoughts and feelings will be much nicer. 

Beyond Darwinism

We living entities are innumerable; there is no limit to our number. God, however, is one. He is also living, as we are but we are minute particles of that living force. For example, a particle of gold is the same in quality as a gold mine. If we chemically analyze the ingredients in a small drop of water, we will find all of the ingredients that are to be found in the vast ocean. In a similar way, we are one with God, being His part and parcel. This godly particle, the soul, or the living force, is transmigrating from aquatics to trees and plants and then from trees and plants to insect life, then to reptile life, then to the bodies of birds and beasts. Darwin's theory of evolution is but a partial explanation of the transmigration of the soul. The difference is that the soul is transmigrating from aquatic life to plants and trees, then to insect life, then to bird life, then animal life, then human life, and within human life he moves from uncivilized life to civilized life, etc. The civilized life of a human being represents the culmination of evolution. Here is a junction: from this point we can again slide down into the cyclic process of evolution, or we can elevate ourselves to a godly life. The choice is up to us. This is indicated in the Bhagavad-Gita.

This human form of life actually means developed consciousness; therefore we should not waste our lives like cats, dogs, and hogs. That is the injunction. Although this body is perishable like a dog's or cat's body, it is different in that one can attain the highest perfection in this life. We are part and parcel of God, but somehow or other we have fallen into this material existence; now we have to evolve in such a way that we can go back home, back to Godhead. That is the highest perfection.

Never Ending Criticism

Once there was an old man and a young boy who were traveling with a donkey.  The young man was leading the donkey and the old man was riding on the donkey.  When they passed through a small village, some of the townspeople yelled abuse, "Look at this old man taking advantage of this poor young boy!  What a rascal!"  After they had passed through the village, the old man said, "We had better swap over, otherwise they will abuse us in the next village."  So then they swapped with the old man leading and the young boy riding.  But in the next village also they got criticized, "Look at this selfish boy, taking advantage of his grandfather.  He should let the old man ride on the donkey."  So then they both got off and led the donkey, but in the next village the people yelled out, "Look at these two stupid people!  They have a donkey, but they are choosing to walk instead!"  Then the old man concluded, "Actually, it doesn't matter what you do, people will always be critical."

Similarly the devotees try to educate us in science of God, Krishna, but we end up only criticizing all their ways.  

Put the glass down!

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see and asked the students,' How much do you think this glass weighs?'

'50gms!'.... '100gms!'.....'125gms'...the students answered.

What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?

'Nothing' the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.

'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.

You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'

'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student and all the students laughed.

'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?’ asked the professor.

'No'

'Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?' 

'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.

'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this.Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you.' 

It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN more important to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So, when you leave office today, remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!' 

People you associate with will infect your thinking

Once, there was a pristine green field that was alive and lush, amidst the extraordinary bloom of springtime. Next to it happened to sit another field. This one was full of weeds, dirt and rough edged stones. This field was a testament to mediocrity and an acute lack of care. 

Through the operation of nature's laws, the seeds of the weeds from the mediocre field were slowly blown over to the lush field. And so, day by day, the once stunningly beautiful one - with once awesome potential - succumbed to the influence of its low-grade next door neighbor. 
    
Before the season was through, there sat two fields. Both completely overcome by weeds. 

Important lesson: 

Your influences and environments matter. The content of what you read/watch/listen will affect your thinking, feeling and willing. The people you associate with will infect your thinking. 

John F Kennedy said, “You are the same today as you will be in five years except for two things, the people you associate with and the books you read.”

How to React to Criticism?

Do you make the most of criticism? Or do you overreact, missing out on any opportunity to benefit from the feedback? 

There’s no question that, for most of us, receiving criticism is not easy. Even when it’s well-intentioned constructive feedback, listening to someone point out an error that you made or a flaw that you have can be very tough to take. 

While learning how to accept criticism graciously, and even thankfully, may not be at the top of your list right now, learning how to deal with negative feedback could make a big difference in your ability to advance rapidly in your life. 

Research in Expert Performance psychology reveals that top performers in every field learn to view criticism differently than the rest of us.

They see it as valuable feedback and as an opportunity to improve. 

Rather than trying to avoid criticism, expert performers welcome it. They seek out coaches and advisors who can give them constructive, sometimes even painful feedback. They then use this feedback as a guide for steady improvement. 

To become a top performer, you’ll need to open yourself up to feedback from those around you. 

Be enthusiastic

When we are enthusiastic about what we do, success will follow!

Enthusiasm is a critical element of success. Enthusiasm is a virtually unstoppable, attitudinal force that generates energy, creativity, and productivity. When you love what you do, it’s difficult not to succeed. Your enthusiasm is obvious to everyone around you and contagious.

It’s important to ask yourself: How safe is it really, spending your time doing something you don’t enjoy? How well can you perform a task you dread? How creative and original is your thinking? 

The answers to each of these questions are clear: Without enthusiasm, your odds of success are minimal. You will either struggle or burn out completely. But the opposite is just as true when enthusiasm for your work fills your heart. 

Steps you can take to ease the sting of criticism

To become a top performer, you’ll need to open yourself up to feedback from those around you. Here are some steps you can take to ease the sting of criticism and begin to make it work for you, instead of against you. 

1.Hit the Pause Button - It’s important to maintain your composure and not lash back or respond defensively to criticism. Take a breath. Don’t do or say anything. This brief pause not only helps you compose yourself and prepare to listen to what the other person has to say, it demonstrates your poise and self-confidence. Maintaining your composure when criticized shows that you’re in control. 

2.Turn On Your Brain and Turn Off Your Emotions - It’s important to disconnect your automatic emotional response to criticism. Otherwise you won’t be able to objectively consider the value of the information. Focus on the words and facts, not on the feelings they generate within you. Regardless of how undiplomatic the other person is in delivering the feedback, tell yourself that it is designed to help you improve, not to tear you down. 

3.Listen Carefully - Listen intently to what the other person is saying. If you’re busy formulating your rebuttal, you may miss some valuable information that can help you avoid errors in the future or improve your overall performance. 

While any criticism can be discouraging, it’s important to keep in mind that negative feedback can contribute significantly to faster growth and higher performance.

As we rush through life!

In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.  During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. 

About 3 minutes: 
The violinist received his first dollar.  A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 

At 6 minutes: 
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 

At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while.  About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.   

After 1 hour: 
He finished playing and silence took over.  No one noticed and no one applauded.  There was no recognition at all. 
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world.  He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.  Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story.  Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. 

This experiment raised several questions: 
1.In a common-place environment, at an inconvenient or inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? 
2.If so, do we stop to appreciate it? 
3.Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

Learning:  If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... how many other things are we missing as we rush through life? 

Dharma (Part 3)

What is dharma? How to serve God? What are the principles of dharma and who sets them?

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states:

paritranaya sadhunam
vinashaya ca duskritam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge
(Bhagavad-gita 4.8)

That is Krishna, himself advents in every millennium to establish the principles of dharma. These principles are very significant for the progress of human society. Dharma forms the foundation of the other three goals of common men. They are, artha (economic development), kama (sense gratification) and ultimately moksha(liberation) It is dharma which separates human beings from animalistic life. Without following dharma, the living entity spirals down to darkest corner of this material world in mode of ignorance. For this reason, the lord himself advents to establish these principles. In fact in Chapter 4th, Verse 2nd, He mentions that because this knowledge was lost due to effect of time, He is again giving it to Arjuna to start a new disciplic succession.

dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam. This means that Dharma is the direct speech of the Supreme Lord. Dharma is not a product of some one’s mental concoctions but authorized statements from the godhead recorded in the Vedic scriptures.

Bhagavad Gita is the crest jewel of all Vedic knowledge. It was delivered by the most perfect Supreme Personality of Godhead – Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at a very critical time. The war was about to begin and Arjun had lost all vigor to fight. Most unfortunate situation. Krishna is known as sarvajna. With his expert wisdom, he cut off all the illusory doubts troubling Arjuna. These words are recorded in Bhagavad Gita. It is directly Dharma.

So, to understand Dharma in truth we should actually read Bhagavad Gita As It Is, as it was understood by Arjuna.

Dharma (Part 2)

Carrying forth the topic of last issue, we will try to present the conclusive definition of the Dharma according to the bona fide authority of Vedic Scriptures. Just to recap, Dharma doesn’t mean a system of faith (or beliefs) but the innate quality of an entity which cannot be separated from the possessor.

This can be illustrated by the example of fire. Heat and light are the innate quality of fire, thus dharma of fire is to heat and illuminate. Coming to Dharma of a person, we would have to delve into the nature or that quality which is common to each one of them. Upon careful analysis and rule of discrimination by exception, it can be safely concluded, that the dharma is Service. Each and every person is serving someone or other. There are so many examples. A wife serves a husband by keeping the house in order and the husband serves the other family members by earning money and livelihood. The children serve their parents by following their instructions. The executive serves the senior executive who in turn serves the area manager who in turn serves the zonal manager. This goes on to country head, regional head, global head, CEO, Chairman who in turn serves to the interest of shareholders whose numbers might spill on from few thousands to few lakhs. Doesn’t matter who one is serving, but without exception all are serving.

The svarupa, or actual identity of the living entity, is described by Lord Chaitanya as Jivera 'svarupa' haya-krsnera 'nitya-dasa': the real identity of the living entity is that he is eternally a servitor of the Supreme Lord.  Serve we must, whether dog or god, the decision rests on us. In the modern world of distant and cold relationships many are left without the loving care of family, no one to serve. Such people find solace to their heart by serving the animals. Keeping pets is one of the top suggestions given by psychologists to their mentally disturbed or depressed patients. Because by serving their pets, their dependents, they feel the fulfillment of their purpose of existence. The moment the realization that our eternal constitutional occupation is “service” dawns upon, the next question is “Who to serve?”. If our dharma is to serve then who is that person to be served which serves to our best interests. Knowingly or unknowingly we all are serving someone, but due to ignorance we do not know who to serve. The decision to select a master is a crucial one. An ideal master possesses qualifications like, merciful, affectionate, aware of our needs and desires, capable of providing livelihood, capable of providing protection and tolerance amongst others.

None other than the Supreme Lord fits this description. None other than him is capable of maintaining our lives, giving us protection, tolerating our repeated offences and mistakes since time immemorial.

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam santim rcchati
 (Bhagavad-gita 5.29)
Being the supreme controller of all the planets and the enjoyer of all, and best friend of all living entities, who better than Krishna to strike a deal with? Krishna Himself declares Himself to be our best benefactor. The same sentiment is expressed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when he says,

tomare loite ami hoinu avatara
ami bina bandhu ara ke ache tomara

"I have descended just to save you. Other than Myself, who else is your friend?"

The master-servant relationship in this world is based on exploitation. The master maintains the servant so that he can exploit the servant for his own nefarious or not-so-nefarious acts. The moment the servant is incapable of serving, the pay cheques stop. But the master-servant relationship between Krishna and his devotees is transcendental. It is not based on exploitation, but based on love, the intense desire to please each other without any motivation. In advanced stages, the love becomes so thick that the identity of the served and the server interchanges naturally.

There are many examples of this in our Vedic scriptures, where the Supreme Master, the master of infinite universes, kindly agrees to be bound by the love and service, and Krishna himself becomes the servant of his servant. This was illustrated by Krishna around the time of the great battle of Kurukshetra. First he became a messenger for his dear Pandavas. Remember the post of a messenger is significant, but nonetheless he remains the servant. But Krishna graciously accepted it. Further on he became the chariot-driver for his devotee and friend Arjuna who was devoid of any enviousness. Krishna also displayed this sentiment when he served his old friend Sudama Vipra in his capital city of Dwarka.

So who do we want to serve, the mean, business minded bosses of this world or the most benevolent and affectionate and capable boss – Krishna? The power to decide rests with us. 

To be continued…

Dharma (Part One)

Dharma is often a topic of debate or discussions among people. Different people have different interpretations of it. Some say it is humanity, some say it is Nationality and others say faith is Dharma. Yato mat tatho path. As many people are there, as many will be interpretations.

Dharma is a Sanskrit word, and the English word that comes closest to it is Religion. The dictionary meaning of religion is “a particular faith”. Let us see the original meaning of Dharma from the scriptures the authority on Dharma.

The scriptures say that Dharma is the intrinsic nature of an entity. By entity, it is meant living or matter. Dharma is that quality which cannot be separated from its possessor. In other words Dharma is the root of it’s identity. Srila Prabhupada used to give example of fire. The dharma of fire is heat and light because, heat and light cannot be separated from fire. In case these two qualities are not present then it is not fire, but something else. Similarly the dharma of sugar is sweetness. The two cannot be separated.

This brings us to the point that what is our dharma? If we go according to the dictionary meaning, that corresponds to Religion or faith. But we have seen and experienced shifts in our faiths and other’s faiths. It is not uncommon to read or hear about conversions. So possibility of change in one’s faith indicates it is not something innate or the very existence or identity of the person. Hence religion is not dharma.

Someone may question here that why are we denying the authority of dictionary here over the meaning of word Dharma. But there is a need to understand the significance of authority. When a Micro-biology researcher faces an obstacle in field work, who does he approach? One may approach an high-school biology teacher or even a college Zoology or Botany professor. But we see in real life one will take the most obvious choice of approaching the Subject Matter Expert on micro-Biology. Why? Because the SME is an authority in the chosen field. The high-school teacher or college professor may be able to give some pointers, but they would be as generic as the content taught in those levels. Similarly to seek out Dharma we should go to the authority on this subject, and that is Shastra - Scriptures. This Dictionary may give a meaning but it would be vague at best.

That Dharma is the innate nature or intrinsic quality of one’s very existence means it is transcendental to all situations. Since we are the soul which is eternal, it’s dharma is also eternal. Sanatana Dharma! – Dharma that is existing since time immemorial. The body, the external covering of soul is temporary; hence the dharma of body is also temporary. Therefore religion may be attributed to the body, because body is born in a particular family practicing one faith. but soul is transcendental to all such circumstances, hence it’s dharma is also transcendental.

What that dharma is? (To be continued…)

Cast system cast out

There are many classes of men in society—some men are engineers, some are medical practitioners, some are chemists, tradesmen, businessmen, and so on. These varieties of classes are not to be determined by birth, however, but by quality. No such thing as the caste-by-birth system is sanctioned by the Vedic literature, nor do we accept it. 

The ultimate goal is to educate people in how to love God. Caitanya Mahaprabhu approves the conclusion that the highest perfection of human life is to learn how to love God. The Krishna consciousness movement has nothing to do with the Hindu religion or any system of religion. No Christian gentleman will be interested in changing his faith from Christian to Hindu. Similarly, no Hindu gentleman of culture will be ready to change to the Christian faith. Such changing is for men who have no particular social status. But everyone will be interested in understanding the philosophy and science of God and taking it seriously. One should clearly understand that the Krishna consciousness movement is not preaching the so-called Hindu religion. We are giving a spiritual culture that can solve all the problems of life, and therefore it is being accepted all over the world.

Be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low

Moods are one of those unavoidable, mysterious parts of life that must be dealt with by everyone. Our understanding of moods greatly affects not only our wisdom and perspective but our overall level of satisfaction as well. Generally speaking, when our mood is high, our spirits are up. When our mood is low, our spirits are down. Moods are like the weather, constantly changing.

When we are in low mood, we think of our dissatisfactions more than when we feel good. We worry!

The fascinating thing about moods is that, to a large degree, we only believe these negative, fearful, and self-defeating thoughts when our mood is low. When our mood is high, we think very differently. We don’t worry as much.

The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low. Try to keep in mind the effect your mood is having on the way you are thinking and feeling. Your understanding of moods allows you to keep your perspective and not take so seriously the thoughts you are having when you are low. Rather than believing in your negative and fearful perceptions, you can dismiss them as being mood related.

When you are in a low mood, don’t make important life decisions. Your thinking and wisdom are not as sound as they will be in a higher state of mind. 

Characteristics of an intelligent man

A small child walking with his father goes on inquiring constantly. He asks his father so many odd things, and the father has to satisfy him with proper answers. When I was a young father in my householder life, I was over flooded with hundreds of questions from my second son, who was my constant companion. One day it so happened that a bridegroom's party was passing our tramcar, and the four-year-old boy, as usual, inquired what the big procession was. He was given all possible answers to his thousand and one questions regarding the marriage party, and finally he asked whether his own father was married! This question gave rise to loud laughter from all the elderly gentlemen present, although the boy was perplexed as to why we were laughing. Anyway, the boy was somehow satisfied by his married father.

The lesson from this incident is that since a human being is a rational animal, he is born to make inquiries. The greater the number of questions, the greater the advancement of knowledge and science. The whole of material civilization is based on this originally large volume of questions put by young men to their elders. When elderly persons give the proper answers to the questions of the youngsters, civilization makes progress, one step after another. The less intelligent make lesser inquiries, but the questions of those who are more intelligent go higher and still higher. The most intelligent man, however, inquires about what happens after death. 

Be worry-free!

When we are happy and worry-free, we not only enjoy our lives more, but we are also more competent, creative, wise, and productive. We bring out the best in others and in ourselves. Without the internal distractions of stress, anger, frustration, and worry, our relationships flourish, stress is diminished, new doors are opened, and our lives run smoothly.

We worry about all sorts of things; some obvious, others more subtle. We worry, for example, about making or repeating mistakes or looking foolish. We worry about what others will think if we ask for help or ask for a raise. We worry about speaking to groups, about our future, and about the past. 

What well does worry really do us? Some would argue that it’s “wise” to worry, that it somehow proves that you’re able to anticipate problems. Yet while being able to anticipate problems is certainly useful, I disagree that doing so requires worry.
    
Worry is actually a dream-snatcher. It takes an enormous toll on your spirits and on your emotions. Worry adversely affects your decisions and your judgment, keeping you on-edge, uptight, and heavyhearted. 

If you know successful people in any field, you’ll find a thread of consistency that runs through virtually everyone – they don’t worry much. Interestingly enough, however, the lack of worry preceded their success and was not a by-product of it. Successful people share an inner unshakable confidence that is free from excessive worry.

Part of overcoming worry is to see it as a distraction rather than as a necessity. As worries enter your mind, try to give them less significance and less of your attention. 

Father Sense

We know that there is something which distinguishes a dead body from a living body. That we can understand. Suppose your father dies. You will lament, "Oh, my father is no more! He has gone away." But where has he gone? Your father is lying on the bed. Why do you say that your father has gone away? "No, he is dead and gone." This shows you understand that the body lying on the bed is not your real father.

So, actually, you have no eyes to see your real father. During the lifetime of your father you did not know who he was. Therefore, when the actual father goes away, you cry, "My father is gone!" The actual father is the spiritual soul within the body. And when the soul goes away from the body, that is known as death.

At the present moment everyone is acting according to the bodily conception of life. But we are not the body. So we are acting for something that we are not. Therefore, we are in maya, or illusion. Our whole existence is a phantasmagoria. And because we are working for something that we are not, we are confused and unhappy. We work day and night for the body, and still we are not happy. We are trying to satisfy the senses (body means "senses"), repeating the same activities again and again, but we are finding no happiness. We cannot find happiness by trying to satisfy the material body, because we are not the material body. We are spiritual souls. So if we are serious, if we actually want to be happy, we must take to the cultivation of spiritual understanding, an understanding of Krishna consciousness.

Becoming a better listener!

People love to be listened to. So much so, that they will pay therapists enormous fees to listen to their stories and complaints. Consumers love to be listened to as well. They will happily pay good amount for those people who are smart enough to understand that this is what they want – and what they demand. 

Unfortunately, only a tiny percentage of persons do understand, or are willing to implement, this important understanding.

When you listen in this manner, you may be shocked at the positive response. When people feel that they are listened to, they also feel appreciated and valued. Feeling listened to is such a rare experience that when someone does feel listened to, they tend to tell others about it. 

Listening is like a magic formula that turns ordinary people into loyal, happy customers. 

One final tip: If you want a closer relationship with your friends or colleagues, the best place to start is by becoming a better listener!

Learn the magic of nonattachment

Being attached to an outcome, holding on, takes an enormous amount of energy, not only during an effort but often after an effort is complete, after you’ve failed, or been let down, or were dealt a bad hand. Being nonattached, however, creates emotional freedom. It suggests trying hard, really caring, but at the same time being completely willing to let go of the outcome.

Attachment creates fear that gets in your way: what if I lose? What if the deal doesn’t go through? What if I’m rejected? What if, what if, what if … your belief that everything must work out exactly as you want it to with no glitches creates enormous pressure! 

Nonattachment, on the other hand, works like magic. It allows you to have fun in your efforts, to enjoy the process. It helps you succeed at whatever you are doing by giving you the confidence you need. It takes the pressures off. You win regardless of the outcome. The act of not worrying helps you focus and stay on purpose. It helps you stay out of your own way. 

You know in your heart that, even if things don’t work out the way you hope they will, everything will be all right. You’ll be okay. You’ll learn from the experience. You’ll do better next time. This attitude of acceptance helps you move on to the next step in your path. Rather than being lost or immobilized in disappointment or regret, you simply move on – with confidence and joy. 

Surround yourself with experts

Many people surround themselves with “successful” people and “experts”. Many are frightened that people who are more successful won’t be willing to spend time or share their ideas with us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The reality is, accomplished people love it when someone takes an interest in their success; they love to share their wisdom, good ideas, or business secrets. It makes them feel wanted and needed.

I’ve worked on projects with some very famous, successful people. When people ask me, “How in the world did you convince them to participate,” they are often shocked at the simplicity of my answer. I respond honestly by saying, “I just asked them.” You’ll be amazed at the number of people who are more than willing to help, whether it’s the owner of a successful grocery store, a top-producing insurance salesperson, a well known author, a physician, a lawyer, or an excellent teacher. 

Most want and are willing to offer advice. In fact, asking someone you admire and respect for their feedback and ideas is the greatest compliment you can offer them. Not all, but most highly successful people (in any field) are available to help others. Usually, it’s the people fighting to climb to the top who are the most frightened, insecure, or unwilling to offer guidance. 

If you do ask for help or advice and are turned down, you can bet that the next person you ask will be more than willing. If you want great advice and you want to avoid big mistakes, seek help. Surround yourself with winners. 

Value of Finger

A screw that is connected with a machine is valuable because it is working with the whole machine. And if the screw is taken away from the machine, or if it is faulty, it is worthless. My finger is worth millions of dollars as long as it is attached to this body and is serving the body. And if it is cut off from this body, then what is its worth? Nothing. Similarly, our relationship is that we are very small particles of God; therefore our duty is to dovetail our energies with Him and cooperate with Him. That is our relationship. Otherwise we are worthless. We are cut off. When the finger becomes useless the doctor says, "Oh, amputate this finger. Otherwise the body will be poisoned." Similarly, when we become godless we are cut off from our relationship with God and suffer in this material world. If we try to join again with the Supreme Lord, then our relationship is revived.

We cannot have anything that is not in God. That is not possible. Therefore in the Vedanta-sutra it is said that everything that we have is also found in God. It is emanating from God. So our relationship is that because we are small, because we are minute, we are the eternal servitors of God. In this material world also, in ordinary behavior, we see that a man goes to serve another man because the other man is greater than he and can pay him a nice salary. So naturally the conclusion is that if we are small, our duty is to serve God. We have no other business. We are all different parts and parcels of the original entity.

Conscious Understanding

Undoubtedly the soul is present in the heart of the living entity, and it is the source of all the energies for maintaining the body. The energy of the soul is spread all over the body, and this is known as consciousness. Since this consciousness spreads the energy of the soul all over the body, one can feel pains and pleasures in any part of the body. The soul is individual, and he is transmigrating from one body to another, just as a person transmigrates from babyhood to childhood, from childhood to boyhood, from boyhood to youth, and then to advanced old age. Then the change called death takes place when we change to a new body, just as we change our old dress to a new dress. This is called transmigration of the soul.

When a soul wants to enjoy this material world, forgetting his real home in the spiritual world, he takes this life of hard struggle for existence. This unnatural life of repeated birth, death, disease, and old age can be stopped when his consciousness is dovetailed with the supreme consciousness of God.

Implications of thinking big!

The implications of thinking big are widespread and impressive. Thinking big is a magic door opener that broadens your perspective and allows you to see new opportunities. Thinking big makes life easier and a lot more fun. 

I’ve been repeatedly reminded by successful people in virtually every field that thinking big is one of the keys to success. Let’s consider a few examples. Successful insurance salespersons insist that it takes the identical amount of time to speak to someone about a million-dollar policy as it does a one-thousand-dollar policy. 
    
The bigger your visions, the larger your potential for success. If you’re trying to sell homes for a living, as an agent, it takes the same amount of energy to ask a wealthy person for their listing as it does a low-end homeowner. You can think small, or you can think big.
    
As usual, the primary reason many people think too small is fear. Thoughts like, “I can’t speak to a room full of people,” “I can’t risk taking on a larger project,” and “I couldn’t ask the boss to have lunch with me” fill the mind and are taken too seriously. When fearful thoughts enter the mind, try to banish them. The fear you are experiencing is almost always self-created and usually unnecessary.
    
Could you be thinking in larger terms? In most cases, the answer is yes! There may be ways that you can reach more people with the same amount of effort. Regardless of the business you are in, the first step is to eliminate any fear or worry that is getting in your way. As your worrisome thoughts gradually disappear and become less appealing, new ideas and insights will begin to emerge.