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Seated in an auto-rickshaw that had found the red light at a busy city intersection, what else could I expect but black smoke? Destiny, however, surprised me with a little sweet encounter. I spotted a street urchin who darted from vehicle to vehicle, begging. Moments later she reached me, her expression pleading for charity. I deftly reached my handbag's front pocket to pull out the box in which I always carry cookies for such occasions. The little angel was quick to translate my body language and expectation twinkled in her innocent eyes. Suddenly I realized the box wasn't to be found. Not wanting to disappoint her I reached my pockets for coins. All I found was a five hundred rupee note; if I gave that to her, we had to exchange positions! Mortified at the thought of breaking her heart, I settled the matter with a sorry smile, but made sure to add extra affection into that. She left. I felt good about what I had done and fixed my vision on the traffic light. It turned green and all vehicles honked in unison, impatient to race ahead. As my driver waited for the line of vehicles in front to start moving, suddenly the urchin reappeared. This time she didn't hold out her open palms; our eyes met and through her eyes I could hear a faint voice of gratitude that rose above the noise of traffic all around. I found in her expression an element of surprise; perhaps she had received many things from many, but hadn't received affection from any. Our exchange happened in a flash, before my vehicle sped ahead, and I never saw her again. Soon, I knew, I would forget about this brief incident, but I prayed never to forget the lesson I had learnt: affection touches the heart, and if we see closely within, we are all desperate for that touch. Years later, while learning the mysteries of Bhakti yoga from Radhanath Swami, I came to know how Bhakti is all about affection-affection exchanged between the Supreme Lord and we spirit souls. If two tiny spiritual beings can exper

"Some years ago, I met Mother Teresa at Kolkata. She told me that the greatest problem in the world is hunger; not hunger of the belly, but hunger of the heart." - Radhanath Swami

"In today's age, where can we find proficient spiritual coaches who can save the character-game for us?" The answer is simple: Seek and you shall find. One who is sincere, the Bhagavad Gita explains, is helped by the Supreme Lord. Radhanath Swami's memoir, The Journey Home, is a brilliant read that boosts our faith in God's help. In it Radhanath Swami shares with us his teenage quest for a guru: how he persevered with patience, and how he was lead to the guru he sought, by a power beyond his own. The adventures that accompany this quest make the book spine-chilling.

Radhanath Swami reveals that spiritual life can present temptations that distract us from our goal. One should not practice spiritual practices for either monetary gain or for worldly popularity. The real bliss of spiritual life will be missing from our lives if we succumb to pursuing ephemeral goals of wanting prestige and power in this material world.

"For a relationship like marriage to work in this world, it is very difficult! In fact, for anything great to work in this world, it is very difficult."-Radhanath Swami

Strictly avoid offenses & serve devotees with all eagerness, enthusiasm & in a desperate mood. We should always be anxious for an opportunity to serve devotees. If devotees are pleased then anything is possible. Also always try to remember the 11th offense. Inattentiveness while chanting is the cause of all other offenses. So best is to associate & chant with those who have a taste for the holy name. Should also hear & read more & more.

An excellent way to overcome selfishness is by offering prayers for others. Sincere prayers for the well being of others enriches our own hearts with the Lord's loving presence, and brings deep, lasting fulfilment; it also empowers us with the spiritual strength to serve others happily.

Great post with lots of imporntat stuff.

Thank you very much for sharing the words "One should be humble like a blade of grass and tolerant like a tree. One should be eager to offer all respects to others and not expect any respect for one self. In this mood one can chant Hare Krishna forever"

This is exactly what happened to me years ago. Just that I got sick long before I practised KC. The problem is that healthy people do not realise the emotional and physical burden illness places on a person. For one. Getting up at 4 becomes a nightmare especially if your medication causes drowsiness and fatige. I would recommend chanting maybe and hour or two after getting up in the morning. The other thing is that while initially devotees might support one, people get tired of helping someone and they see no improvement. I was so ill and depressed that devotees just stopped calling all together. I never avoided them. Another thing is that sometimes being ill takes much strain on the finances. This can cause a problem maybe to visit the temple etc. I could not travel to temple anymore as most of my money went to medication and doctors fees. The devotees knew this, but never once offered me to come and fetch me or come and do some kirtan at my home. So my advice would be is to first enquire if there is anything you can do to make it easier for him to come to temple. Eg, arranging transport, bringing prasad on regular basis. I would also advise that a senior vaisnavah visit with him to encourage him and give him spiritual support. Sometimes the older devotees struggle with many more problems, and they can be an invaluable source of strength.

Do we want to be mere spectators or is there some learning that we can draw from this shocking incident and apply in our own lives and thereby change the world a little bit, for the better? We can probably use this opportunity to introspect and clean our own houses!

Spirituality invigorates our enthusiasm through what I call the "lever effect." A little physical power wisely invested at an optimal point on the lever, a simple machine, could be used to move a massive rock. As a lever amplifies physical power, spirituality amplifies our enthusiasm to serve. A little enthusiasm wisely invested in meditation every morning, in time brings forth a resurgence of unlimited and sustained enthusiasm for selfless service-a long forgotten treasure of every soul, and the long sought-after ornament of every great leader.

Radhanath Swami implores that let us not make this mistake of denying the reality that we have negativities in our heart and we need to change. Rather let us happily accept the changes we have to make. They are for our good. These transformations bring us closer to God and give us real and lasting happiness.

We may never have come to know the importance of controlling the mind if devotees of Lord would not have approached us to tell that how much we are suffering under the illusion. Thank you very much Maharaj for waking us up from sleep.

Powerful. Thanks for inspirations to be enthusiastic and determined in our spiritual activities.

The material aspect of married life can be a source of great suffering. But if we have a higher purpose for being together, the struggle becomes meaningful. The highest purpose is cooperating together to serve and glorify God. Radhanath Swami explains, "Even if we put God in the center, the material aspect of married life can still cause suffering. But, amazingly, if God is in the center of the relationship, the typical relationship struggles will bring the two spouses closer to God". When that happens, there will be real happiness, spiritual happiness.

Bhakti Yoga is a gradual and steady process of transformation and cultivation of positive desirable habits. One could begin waking up at 8.30 in the morning. After a week of strict adherence to this half hour improvement, one could then begin to rise at 8.00 am. This way slowly by half hour progression one can eventually rise just before sunrise. Try this programme of early morning spiritual practises for three months and see the difference it makes to your consciousness. The proof of the pudding is in eating…

A considerate leader then becomes popular with his team members; for everyone in this world seeks to be understood and loved. Thus a leader grounded on 'internal' spiritual principles also achieves the external success and popularity. But the critical difference now is by focussing on the inner journey, one achieves worldly fame as an insignificant by-product. The real success is in being a leader of substance; as the shadow of worldly recognition shines and fades, it doesn't really matter.

By learning to appreciate people around us and being thankful to circumstances that come upon us, we slowly open the dimension of seeing things as they are! As Radhanath Swami says "Gratitude is to honour, recognize and appreciate everyone and everything for a higher purpose."