inspirational siksa by Bhakti vikash swami

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> Avoiding devotional problems (written in 2002 by Bhakti vikash swami)

And do not criticize devotees..

> "There but for the grace of God (and His devotees) go I.

>

> A suggestion:

>

> 1) aside from the need for strong mature friendships between devotees:

> 2) a challenging service,

> 3) a personal mission,

> 4) a clear focus of what one is doing in life.

> 5) Simply maintaining a flock is likely to be less enlivening

> 6) than reaching out to bring Krishna consciousness to nondevotees.

>

> from another posting HH BVKS gave before:

>

> 7) Remain enthusiastic.

> 8) Be confident of success.

> 9) Follow the regulative principles.

> 10)Be straightforward.

> 11)Keep association of devotees-avoid bad association (see subject below)

> 12)Be patient.

> 13)Do not become morose.

> ....And Krishna will surely help you.

>

> (These instructions {7-13) to residents of New Talavan were spoken by

> Srila Prabhupada in Dallas in 1975 and quoted in Vyasa-puja book, 1983)

>

> Liberalism & duplicity

> ---------------------------

> Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

> Shri Chaitanya's Teachings (pgs. 22-23):

>

> "Worldly people possess a double nature. They express one kind of

> sentiment but internally cherish a different purpose. Moreover they want

> to advertise this duplicity as a mark of liberalism or love of harmony.

> Those who are unwilling to show any duplicity, wish to be frank and

> straightforward, or in other words exercise unambiguously the function of

> the soul; such really sincere persons are called sectarian and orthodox by

> those who practise duplicity."

>

> "We will cultivate the society only of those who are

> straightforward. We will not keep company with anyone who is not so. We

> must by all means avoid bad company. We are advised to keep at a distance

> of a hundred cubits from animals of the horned species. We should observe

> similar caution in regard to all insincere persons."