Hare krishna
Pls accept my humble obesiances
All glories to sri guru and gauranga
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca
kripa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
How may i serve you:)
Arjuna had the occupation of a soldier, but he was an exemplary devotee of
Lord Krishna. It is not required that you are a brahmana or a fulltime
preacher to please the Lord. The dharma in this age is the chanting of the
holy names, and you can execute that regardless of your occupation. The
important thing is to understand that perfecting our devotion to Krishna is
the goal of life and not accumulating wealth to enjoy our senses in this
world in the bodily concept of life. So try to come up to the level of
chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra every day on beads and
continue to follow the four regulative principles. If you are to be a
householder you will have to have some occupation, so studying to become fit
for an occupation is not contrary to religious principles. Some occupations
like that of a butcher or liquor store owner are contrary to religious
principles, but there is no problem in being an engineer. So chant Hare
Krishna, go on with your studies, and go to the temple and worship and
associate with devotees whenever you have the time.
Your Words Are Encouraging!
I, too, appreciate your comments. I've been very critical about my current life style, where I'm so busy working that I can barely clean my living space, let alone chant 16 rounds! But, my current material goals (as stated in other posts, not to bore everyone who's read them!) are to get my teaching license so I can live a modest life on one job, and have more time to devote to more pious activities such as chanting, reading, assocociating with the wonderful devotees who post on this forum, and perhaps visiting a temple. Even on my jobs, I try to have some thoughts of Krishna. The other day, matter of fact, I was at work, reading the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, and commented to a co-worker and a resident (in a group home) what it must have been like to be Arjuna, to have gone to battle, to kill friends and family members, but to have GOD as your driver! They asked a few questions about what I was reading, didn't roll their eyes, and seemed to take what I said as a good thing. I doubtlessly won't change anyone's world, but sneaking in what little I can certainly can't hurt!
More time...
Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances.
I hope I don't offend, but I am a new teacher myself and wanted to share a glimpse of that experience with you (as I see you are aspiring to get your license). Though it is very "modest," it is far from conducive to time saving. I begin my day around five or so and then go to school from around seven until around five. Then I come home and work (grade papers, write/plan lessons, etc.) until I am too exhausted to work anymore. I sleep and I wake up again to start the whole process over. As soon as the weekend comes, I begin to worry about how little work I have gotten done and before you know it, Monday is here again. Yes, it is a modest life (and you must be willing to sacrifice a lot of your own personality and feelings for the sake of the "system"), but one that rarely allows me to engage in activities that are nourishing for my soul. I cannot remember the last time I had time to pick up a book to read for enjoyment/my own learning and growth. BHAGAVAD GITA AS IT IS is collecting dust by my bedside table. Very sad. All the chanting I can manage is while I walk from class to class and as I am driving. It is a job that can consume you no matter how carefully you manage your time. I am actually thinking of changing careers now before I feel too stuck to move on.
PLEASE do not think I am trying to dissuade you. In fact I encourage you to do whatever it is your path may be leading you towards. But I would feel neglectful if I didn't comment here--and to ask for advice if you have it. That is, perhaps you have had better experiences and can share with me ways to balance a hectic material life with the desire to connect with Godhead.
Wishing you all the best.
Haribol.
Matthew
p.s. Sorry for the length of this reply!
RE: More Time
Thank you for sharing your experience, and you do not offend, not in the least! I've heard of similar experience from friends who are teachers. I guess most "giving" types of work are the most time consuming. I think what I find most frustrating right now is the brainlessness of my work -- I work exclusively with one student who I don't think needs me at all, and there is very little challenge. Then, I work at the group homes, where, again, there is little challenge and little I can do that I feel matters. Often times I feel like I'm wasting time, and for so little money that it seems absurd. I understand the concept of Karma Yoga, and I like to remind myself that the people I'm spending so much time with are God's children, and if my working with them is the Lord's will, then what I'm doing IS worth it. Meanwhile, I'm hoping that if I can narrow my interests to one job, I'd give and learn all I can, and hopefully feel a bit more focused!
You Are Encouraging!
Hi Dach!
Boy, I think I'm going to move up there where you live! :)
Really nice to read about how you're thinking about Krishna even while you are working!!!
I actually happen to think you are changing EVERYONE'S world by talking to them about Arjuna and how he had God for his driver!!!
That is just so cool!!! :)
They are hearing about Krishna and Arjuna! Of course it's changing their world, even if it doesn't show on the material level they are changed! :)
Love to read all your encouraging posts!
Your friend,
Navasi (Sara)
Hare Krishna!
Hare Krishna Suraj!
This is very nice! I really appreciate reading this... it's encouraging to know that it's not against Krishna Consciousness to have occupations in the material world. Lots of us have to earn a living and work, and do a lot of other things that may seem very mundane to others of us.
That can't be helped, we have to work. So, it is inspiring to have a little encouragement in the "field" so to speak.
Sure, it's nice to just chant all the time and associate with devotees and read scripture, but it really not practical or at all possible for a lot of us, myself included.
Nice to know that as long as we're not engaged in literal sinful activities there is nothing about working and earning a living etc... that is against becoming more Krishna conscious!
Thank you so much for this post, Suraj!
(I also really love what you said about Vaishnavas being like desire trees :) (so true) :)
Navasi Devi Dasi