Leap of faith or leak of faith

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” — Thomas Aquinas

Faith is an essential element in life, just like an air or oxygen is for the body similarly faith nourishes the heart. Faith isn’t just a notion that some people hold onto in tough times but we need it in all parts of our lives. We couldn’t drive our cars without faith that someone wouldn’t cross the divider and crash into us. If we didn’t have faith, how could we fly in an airplane, a metallic machine flying 35,000 feet high in the air? Without faith, how can we marry and decide to stay together for a lifetime with a person who has just met a few times before? A leap of faith, in its most commonly used meaning, is the act of believing in or accepting something outside of the boundaries of reason.

Similarly, faith is the root of Bhakti. Bhagavad Gita(9.3) explains, "those who are not faithful to the devotional service won't achieve Krishna." Faith goes beyond the logic, reasoning, and explanations. One who is always suspicious can't lead a happy life either materially or spiritually, “For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next(BG 4.40)." A devotee has explicit faith that the Lord will protect him in every circumstance thus he keeps taking leaps of faith for service and mission of the Lord.

In the case of neophyte devotees when things go in their way they feel elated and joyful which increases their faith in Krishna but sometimes, when things don’t go according to plan, they tend to lose faith, not only in themselves but also in any potential outcome in their lives and in omnipotent God. Failure will do that to us unless we are deep rooted in spiritual understanding based on scriptures and teachings of saintly beings. When we experience life’s monumental failures, it’s easy to lose hope and faith in God and start doubting his abilities this is a time when our faith starts leaking out.

Despite having troubles in life to continue with one's faith in Bhakti process is a remarkable thing, in fact, such troubles deepen one's faith. It requires a significant leap of faith to believe that we can succeed where so many others have failed. Our scriptures give plenty of examples of such fixed up devotees like Dhruva, Prahlad, Parikshit, Kunti, Draupadi etc. who were amidst problems and dangers but continued to serve and to have faith in Krishna. They didn't get distracted by temporary upheavals, such devotees are determined to execute teaching and instructions of the lord in favorable or unfavorable situations. We see in the life of Prabhupada also that he had to face so many reversals and challenges to establish worldwide Krishna conscious society. It was a struggle but he did that without questioning Krishna and now we can see the fruits of that faith which has expanded into thousands of temples and millions of followers all over the globe.

In conclusion, when we go through situations when our faith gets challenged or weakened we must observe and study the lifestyle of great devotees who had put their faith explicitly in the mercy of Lord and continued their devotional service during bad times.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa

Those who always look for material security remain spiritually unsecured

Many people postpone their surrender to Krishna until they feel materially secured enough. They think when everything gets settled nicely, when we earn enough bank balance, when we complete all our material responsibilities then we will surrender, then we can practice bhakti and devote our time and energy to the God. But actually this feeling of security never comes, even it comes hopes and hankering for more security keep on arising in the heart.

Material securities are not only temporary but lead to miseries

However secured we may materially be but it's all transient. Greed for security never stops and even it stops the desire to enjoy those securities can arise in the heart. Then mind starts hovering over material opulence gained from such securities(BG16.13). In such situations, it becomes extremely difficult to practice bhakti(BG 2.44). More the securities more the attachments and anxieties till the time of death(BG16.11). Also, there is a danger that those who are secured enough may become proud of their abilities and refuse their surrender to Krishna by denying his existence thus bound by networks of illusions and immersed in unreal enjoyment they lead their path to hell(BG16.16).

Krishna provides both material and spiritual securities 

By the practice of bhakti yoga, one comes to the understanding of his real eternal nature and Lord's benevolence thus he doesn't get too much obsessed for material securities and desires. He knows that Krishna takes care of his surrendered soul by providing whatever devotee lacks and protecting whatever devotee has(BG9.22). He takes care of them by placing them under his divine energy(BG9.13). And while practicing Bhakti even someone fails to attain Krishna in this life or the next he is never overcome by evil either materially or spiritually (BG6.40)- means he is secured in both circumstances. 

Interestingly Krishna doesn't ask us to give up all our material aspirations and duties but asks us to use them intelligently in his service without being attached to their yields, that's bhakti yoga, that leads to elevation(BG 8.7). In conclusion rather than proroguing bhakti for some insignificant material benefits and reasons, one should start bhakti yoga from his very position by including Krishna in all aspects all his life and considering unlimited eternal spiritual gains of practicing it.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa

Life beyond Facebook likes

Our day starts with checking emails, what's app messages and most importantly Facebook notifications. We are eager to see how many likes our post have received. When there are many likes we feel elated but it's a painful to see our post lingering overnight on the timeline with a handful of likes. We feel dejected as if nobody cares for us, nobody wants to listen what We want to say, no one values us, we feel worthless, ignored and embarrassed. Not only that but we experience jealousy in the heart when others get more likes than us.

We have become so shallow that we define our value, success based on Facebook likes and others' opinions for us. Rather than thinking what likes us, what inspires us and following that with whole heart we start putting emphasis on what others think of us, what others like etc. The lack of likes is not necessarily a projection of how liked we are personally, or whether or not we are good enough. We must work on this wrong tendency of comparing ourselves with others based on some externals.

Start liking ourselves:
We have to understand that we all are different in the way we think, feel and do things. Everyone is endowed with unique potential. We must find out that unique nature of ours and work on that to improve and upgrade it. Each one of us is different with different success parameters, so it's better to compete with our self than with others. Make decisions that reflect our true self. Express who we really are, without being overwhelmed with the joy of acceptance and the fear of rejection.

Stop hankering for likes:
Even if we get likes after few days again we will desire for it and if we don't get that we will be miserable, better stop hankering for it. Let not externals affect our internal emotions, desires, mindset etc. Keep our inner world intact by not depending upon others' perspective about us. When we are satisfied within we won't hanker for appreciation through any means, we will be happy contributing in an efficient way.

It's not only with the Facebook but in life's journey also we are so dependent on others' outlook about us. We must go beyond likes and dislikes and find out the solid purpose to live with and continue doing it enthusiastically despite being recognized or ignored by others. Ups and downs will keep coming in lives through various means, dealing with them on the basis of deep spiritual foundation can protect us from all crisis.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa