ND > My comments are highlighted.

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Personal Notes on a, Hopefully, Mature Approach to Bhakti-yoga

6 hours ago by Namacarya das in Personal Sadhana Reports

Personal Notes on a, Hopefully, Mature Approach to Bhakti-yoga

What follows is not “absolute truth.”

The Absolute Truth is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā.

These are my impressions — what Kṛṣṇa has allowed me to comprehend through personal experience, reflection, and, to some degree, sincere practice.

1. Foundational Understanding

Skipping the basic teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā leads to superficiality and often results in what is called spiritual bypassing — avoiding genuine inner work and unresolved emotions under the pretext of “spiritual life.”

ASA - Maybe like not making a foundation for a building?

ND > Yes. In other words, what is the good use of the luxurious and many-story building if the foundations are weak and will crumble soon?

HpS/ASA - Seems so!

The past, whatever it was, should be accepted. It is not an obstacle but a starting point.

Now, the focus should be deep, careful, slow, and deliberate study:

first the Bhagavad-gītā, then the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, followed by the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Nectar of Devotion, and other essential works.

ASA - Yet, the Bhaktivedanta Purports include the previous books in the list, no? So if we start with the most advanced, eg. KRSNA book then Srila Prabhupada will teach us BG also, no?

ND > Yes, and refer us to BG to inspire us to study it.

Different people are reading to join at different levels, no?

ND > I am not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean that different people with different spiritual qualities join and they will choose to read different books? If you mean this, yes and a little comment that even though a person is highly spiritually qualified, will read BG from that perspective and enjoy ananda.

HpS/ASA - Yes!

Eg. Fred can appreciate the KRSNA book but needs the BG instruction included to fill out his fundamentally good BG knowledge from previous lives.

ND > Yes.

Every person has their psychophysical nature (svabhāva). That nature should not be denied in the practice of bhakti — at least not in the early and middle stages.

Spiritual growth comes through gradual transformation, not through forced suppression of one’s inherent tendencies.

ASA - Yet, we can do some suppression, no? Just say, "No" to chocolate!!!! Some suppression is natural, but cultivating the higher taste as you suggest is real basis.

ND > Yes, resisting the temptation to eat some kind of “food” items is needed. However, there is no need to resist being a doctor, singer, cleaner, lawyer, etc., for Krsna, and according to Krsna’s desire. Arjuna as a warrior, Dhruva and Prahlada as kings... Still, on some super humane level, a person can also neglect his/her svabhava and do what Krsna told him/her.

Bhakti is not lived by negating the world, but by purifying one’s relationship with it.

ASA - 🐷 can we join your school??? Wonderful.

ND > Hehehe. 😊

The Mayura Academy is trying to share how to dance for Krsna’s pleasure :-) Put your "wings" in the air, sway softly in the kirtana rhythm while putting one foot in front of the other.

2. Responsibility and Everyday Life

Bhakti-sādhakas should live according to their natural duty (dharma):

• working, earning honestly, and contributing to society,
• not living indulgently, but also not artificially renouncing comfort,
• being educated and financially independent — not dependent on parents, institutions (including ISKCON), or anyone else.

Such a life develops a genuine sense of responsibility.

When such devotees gather, they do not seek titles or recognition. Their association becomes a natural setting for talking and singing about Kṛṣṇa and His energies.

In that atmosphere, there is no need for unnecessary hierarchy.

Respect arises spontaneously — from maturity and mutual appreciation, not from titles or formal power.

In such a community, bhakti becomes a living reality, not an organizational system.

ASA - Srila Prabhupad comments that there is no difference between the grhasta fully engaged in KC and the man in the renounced order of life, but because of more formal austerities the Sannyasi is given more FORMAl respect.

Is the same, no?

ND > I remember Mother Urmila saying that austerities were stronger (in a way), at least then, as a grihasta than as vanaprastha. As grihasta, there was cooking, cleaning, taking care of children + Sadhana, The bedding at home was simple. As a vanaprashta, there is always someone cooking nice dishes for her and the beds are better than in her past period of life. Of course, there are more things to all this, but just as an example in and of today’s modern world. There are sannyasis with a house, a flat (one, two and even three) and grihastas who do not own the apartment. 

HpS/ASA - Yes, Gopa kumar in the Brhad Bhagavata Amrta comments that Sannyasa can come to mean eating nice food and not having to work hard.

Danger in every Ashrama.

Srila Prabhupad told Sudama Swami that it is the duty of Temple and Grhasthas to offer big, big prasad to the Sannyasi and it is duty of Sannyasi to take little, little. In this way there is an ongoing competition.

The formalities then seem like formalities with pleasant meaning.

3. Arjuna as an Example

Arjuna did not change his occupation or his clothes.

He changed his consciousness, mentality, and intention.

That is the essence of bhakti-yoga: inner transformation within the life one already lives.

Spirituality is not an escape from the world but a change in how we relate to it.

In this way, progress becomes organic, natural, and clear — not forced, but alive.

Material problems will always exist, but with a proper inner attitude they become opportunities for learning and growth.

HpS - Wow! Yes. Super.

4. Tolerance and Boundaries

Titikṣā — forbearance — is a divine quality, but it must be understood correctly.

If someone can humbly tolerate injustice (to oneself), that is noble.

But if someone cannot, that is not a lack of spirituality.

There must be (is) a way to express pain and suffering.

Forbearance must not become an excuse for allowing abuse — whether personal, social, or institutional.

ASA - NoI 3 - Enthusiasm is more important than tolerance. We must be enthusiastic about our tolerance because we see it is getting good results?

ND > If I understand properly you are saying, “Try to be tolerant but with divine inspiration and realisation”. 

HpS/ASA - Enthusiasm is defined as action executed in KC with intelligence. So, we can adopt, patience, not doing somethings as a positive action to some degree with intelligence. We should first, be enthusiastic, even in our patience.

Especially within religious organizations, where “tolerance” is too often used as a shield for those in power.

When the idea of “spiritual tolerance” is misunderstood, it may turn into passive acceptance of wrongdoing instead of compassionate correction. Misusing the principle of tolerance and patience to excuse harmful acts creates space where abuse can persist.

True tolerance does not only mean being a doormat; it means staying composed and clear while truth and justice are being expressed.

It is easy to be “tolerant” when everyone pampers and praises us.

But real tolerance is tested only in adversity — and then it requires both strength and wisdom, not mere passivity.

ND : End of this letter's comments. Thank you!

HpS/ASA - Bad head ache. 4.33PM.

Turn off all functions and chant.

Honor Prasadam.

Thank you.



Dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Has your understanding of Kṛṣṇa consciousness changed in any way over time?

I mean in any aspect — from one period of your life to another — whether in perspective, emphasis, or conclusions.

HpS - AGTSP. I did not, really have a clear understanding of how Srila Prabhupada was using the words. Then I learned how to say iskcon in hindi.

anar astrika sri krsna, bhavan amrta sanga.

Bhavan amrta is the way Consciousness is translated, so now we take it, pretty much, that Srila Prabhupada means the concept of bhava when he says Krsna Consciousness. Then we have the whole technical perspective of the word from NoD Etc!

Similarly, has your view or consideration of ISKCON changed in any way through the years?

HpS - Yes. Main point is that we understand there is the ISKCON that is the institution, like the village of Nanda Maharaja. Then there is the ISKCON that is a community of friends, like the Gopis have their friends amongst their institutional relations with family, chief of police etc, in Nanda's village. SB 10.47.63. and finally there is the ISKCON that is just each individual and their personal, direct experience, of their connection with the Founder Acharya.

 If the answers to these questions are yes, could you please explain how?

I realize these may be quite personal questions to share publicly. As always, when writing here on the Monkey Warrior blog, I deeply appreciate any exchange you choose to offer. And if you prefer not to comment, I completely understand.

Thank you very much.

Your servant,

Namacarya Dās

HpS - Your Blog posts are always an example of dignified social culture. You be blessed with a very cultured country and have a cultured wife and family!

Correct?

Hare Krishna, honorable Maharaj HpS🙏🏾

All glories to Goura Nitay

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.  

Please accept my humble obeisances.

First of all, thank you for your response to my first letter introducing myself to you. I apologize for the length of the letter; I felt inspired and wrote too much, I am really sorry 😓

HpS - Do, not, agtSP, remember the exact letter, but usually when letters are to long for our long tailed secretary to deal with he just lets the sender know and asks for more bite sized posts.

Thank you!!

🙂

Yes, I have been following your morning programs daily for a couple of weeks. Every day I cannot miss the opportunity to have your association and devotees' All is such inspiring and positive for my spiritual life.  I love that time 🐵

The best hours of the day for me are during the japa Joe and FMS programs because I feel very inspired to chant the 16 rounds and to finish these in the morning.

After my rounds I get a clearer mind and determined to accomplish my daily tasks at home, taking care of my mom, who is still recovering from their wrist surgery. My sadhana helps me to get a nice motivation during the hole day... do my service and daily activities with a good mindset.  Thank you, Maharaj, for being my guide.

I make many mistakes when chanting my rounds; many times when I chant by myself, my mind goes from one thought to another, these ones are not related to Krishna... but since I have started to follow your programs, I can see some changes, it's more easy to focus my attention on listening to you chant and repeating the holy names by myself following you. This technique helps me a lot.  Thank you so much for your help daily.

Maharaj, I would like to ask you, what should I think about while I am chanting the Holy Name of the Lord? Should I look at an image of Him or should I just listen attentively without thinking about anything?  I have this doubt. Thank you very much in advance for your answer 🙏🏾 Thank you for everything you do for us.

HpS - Srila Prabhupada, as we remember, comments that for the basic sixteen rounds, for sure, we should just focus on chanting and hearing attentively. of course, adopting place, posture, breath, may help this, but we should remember that we only adopt other things as help us focus on just hear the HOLY NAMES.

From Them...... form, character, associates, pastimes will follow.

We can chant in the mood of the Siksatakam, especially 'ayi nanda tanuja kinkaram...' is we cannot just chant, sit anyhow, breath anyhow.

Also, I want to tell you that I have a big fear about death and diseases, since I have a family history of physical illnesses. I usually hear that Maya is stronger and that no one is safe in the movement. I just want to remain stable in performing my daily sadhana and I trust more in the Supreme Lord.

HpS - Proves you are a wiseman. This must not be your first life as a philosopher like Socrates.

Sometimes I believe that I am trying to surrender to Him, but these fears arise—how could I remove them from my mind? Please, help 🙏🏾

HpS - You mention several. If you go on chanting Hare Krsna and reading the SB you will get answers to all of them, more and more.

Here is nice link to some practical suggestions. We have taken some to heart!!

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/9/27/#bb15339

Yes, Maharaj, I live in Lima, and I am attending to Temple of Parama Karuna Goura Nitay at ISKCON Lima center for Wednesday and Sunday programs.

HpS - Miraflores, or Wilson, or other???

The devotees in charge have entrusted me to do service like pujari for the Goura Arati of every Wednesday, this is Krishna's mercy.

As I mentioned in the previous letter, since February of this year I started doing garland service at temple of Lima Center, and from the last 7 weeks I have started this new service in pujari. I am very enthusiastic for doing my best in this new service😊

Since february of 2024 I have been visiting the Miraflores Temple for following the programs, fortunately actually I have daily association with devotees in the Temple because I am working in the store of the temple part time and I participate every Harinam saturday's. It's really amazing every Saturday doing Harinam in Miraflores. Many people like our chanting and energetic dance... they feel attracted to Holy names; it's a nice service. Thanks, Supreme Lord!!

The motivation to improve my sadhana was to offer a good service to the Deities. Maharaj, everything was aligned for me; Krishna and SP was helping me every day. I see their guidance. For example, he devotees I frequently associate with told me about your Mangala Arati program, and here I am very enthusiastic because of your inspiring association🙏🏾

The Supreme Lord has guided me to You. Thanks Krishna who allows me to join every day at your programs, I am learning to be more disciplined, taking seriously the spiritual life. Thank you, Maharaj and all devotees who join daily. I feel more confident; I must confess that discipline was a weak point for me during the last years... Now, I am surprised about my determination in order to get a stronger sadhana, and all is because sadhu sangha... for that reason this time (morning programs) is the best part of my day.

You have a lot of kindness, mercy and a good sense of humor. Thank you so much, Maharaj, for your daily guidance 🙏🏾

Thanks too for recommending that I read canto 1 of the SB, 4-6. I am going to read the very interesting conversations between Narada Muni and Srila Vyasadeva. I am very interested in reading them 🤓

About the Chosica Temple, they have very nice programs with static kirtans. I went to the Chosica Temple for the first time for this year's Radhastami, at the end of August. I was fascinated by Sri Sri Radha Madan Vihari Deities 💖

🙇🏾‍♀.  

Yes, Maharaj, there are mature devotees in the temple who present very inspiring classes every sunday. I know Prabhu Laksman Agraja Das, who is my teacher, his wife Mataji Raman Reti Devi Dasi, Mataji Mitravinda Devi Dasi, Prabhu Ramasundarya Das, and other brahmanas. They are dedicated to spreading Krishna consciousness and excellent devotees. Also, I often listen to the Sunday classes online. Chosica is located 3 hours by bus from my home.

Hare Krishna, dearest Maharaj, thank you very much once again for your daily spiritual support in the morning programs. As you say, they give us the strength to face the day's problems. You give us priceless teachings every day 😊I'm very thankful.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his disciples.

All glories to you 🙇🏾‍♀️

Your servant,

Annie from Lima 🐷

PAMHO at your lotus feet, Maharaj 🙇🏾‍♀️

HpS - Thank you.

We had to start scanning the last half of the letter, because it was too much for us.

Take devotees and spiritual brothers, sons etc as practical.

jaya Gurudeva! please accept my obeisances to sweet dust of your lotus feet🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🪷👣🌷🌹🌷🌹💖All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

All glories To You my eternal Gurumaharaja 🙏🙇🏻‍♀️🪷👣🌷🌹🌹Our idea is just to read the book. Do not comment on anything extra. It wouldn't be doing any other work. but to help these books of Prabhupada can be heard in Spanish, to make a service for ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada. On the other hand, if you want to comment on something, I don't think you can do it. Srila Prabhupada explains everything very well and I feel unable to add anything.

It would be what is now called audio book. If you Gurudeva is fine with you and you want me to comment, I would make an effort to try to comment on something... but I think it would be useless...it would take me longer to upload it and maybe I'll lose Srila Prabhupada's job. We will ask the devotees. Thank you very much Gurudeva.

Please forgive any unintentional offense🙏🙇🏻‍♀️👣🌷🌹💖

Trying to please your lotus heart🪷🌹🏞️

Japa Prati Jalpa Radha Devi Dasi

HpS - ASA /// Same comment as before. I think Jagadisvara Das had the same result, and I have heard of others having the same result.

They just want to reproduce the BBT material in different media, but then after investing a great deal of effort they get a polite but firm legal notice from the BBT, that they must take everything down because they do not have BBT copywrite approval.

I think in one aspects they are forced to do this by Copywrite law. If a copywrite holder knows that someone is distributing there material on mass media and do not tell them to stop, they are giving permission and then others can do the same thing.

Again, asks Caturatma Das and Mataji for help.

Of course, I think you can read some and share with friends.

Dear GM,

Pamho

Agtsp

OK, I surrender. Sending news to blog. Compelled to reflect on the mission of being receptive to Sri Krsna’s mercy, Who guides us through Guru, Sanga, Sastra, and Nature.

ASA - agtSP!!! 🐸

I am still abiding in the land formerly known as the Kingdom of Siam, which is from Sanskrit Syama - a name for our dark, wonderful Lord, who provides relief from the miseries of material existence as a storm cloud gives soothing rain and is the source of irresistable, charming beauty.

ASA - Good God! We live in Houston, which is named after Hugh! You are so fortunate.

I was recently wandering in the Himalayas where the immensity of nature provides the oppportunity to experience humility and the fragility of this mortal coil, whilst also experiencing the grandeur of the Lord’s creation.

Still under the influence of the monsoon season in September, the clouds were both beautiful and terrifying, as I succumbed to the rain and snow they bestowed.

But in the belly of these storm clouds, I could remember our Lord as megha-shyama with his dark complexion that is limitless, like the sky and ocean, and divine.

Feeling the peril of big mountains, I was comforted to feel the Lord’s eternal presence, adi-purusham.

In the Himalayas, I felt like a small child walking day after day through a temple that is unimaginably vast. Every which way, all the while, it felt undeniably holy. Divinity in raw, beautiful, harsh nature.

Occasionally, when the clouds would relinquish their grip on the mountains, I could see the immense peaks, including Everest, which is formally named Sagarmatha, meaning it is at the top of the sky, also implying it is a heavenly place (svarga+math).

ASA - Gets mention in BG?

Thinking about this, I need to go back and read Light of the Bhagavat.

I too am living until I die

And by death I step out of this body

With hope 

That nothing is without a source

Which is Sri Krsna

All glories to your service in Krsna consciousness

Yh+fs,

Tcsd

ASA 🐷 🐖🐖🐖🐖

We follow in your footsteps!

Any general idea about the Fundamental Ideas of Wife/Children/Family?

👪

asa[e] history; secular

Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As directed, posting few links I found online relative to Japan's peace overtures prior to the atomic bombing and Justice Radha Vinod Pal's dissenting judgement at WWII Tokyo tribunal

The Search for a Negotiated Peace: JAPANESE DIPLOMATS ATTEMPT TO SURRENDER JAPAN PRIOR TO THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI by Justin H. Libby in World Affairs journal

https://www.jstor.org/stable/20672371?

https://fair.org/home/the-japanese-were-already-defeated-and-were-seeking-peace/

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/justice-radhabinod-pal-tokyo-war-crimes-trial

https://icds.ee/en/the-dissenting-opinions-of-justice-radhabinod-pal-at-the-tokyo-war-crimes-tribunal/

Your warmonger servant,

Gopal

HpS/ASA - AgtSP! Esteemed Mongering servant. we consider ourselves your servant.

we are so inspired by your library service.

hope!!!

you are keeping an index and can share it.

we want to have a NMDhama ASA symposium on Cinema as Dharma, Caitanya Cinema Circle, including NoD, Viola Spolin's theater improv. book. main audience = b'caris looking for career path. that incudes you also, no?

The articles on Japan's surrender before Hiroshima are so interesting.

History gives us chance to live properly in the current moment!