Sincerity

[armisael108]

I have a simple question about what is to be considered sincerity.

 

I've asked other devotees at my local temple, but I couldn't understand their answer on sincerity.

 

Anyone has something on that?

[moorthi]

I would term it 'firmness' in times of adversity.

 

Think of the millions of Hindus who held on to their

religion in the face of adversities across centuries

of oppression - oppression of their religion, promotion

of other religions - bias against the Hindus with an aim

to make them convert - there I can see firmness and

sincerity.

[Guest guest]

.

Dear Respected Devotees and Friends,

 

 

Sometimes it appears very difficult to make advancement in Krsna consciousness, and we become impatient. If we expect immediate results and they aren't forthcoming, we can easily become discouraged. For those of us who are unable to live in a temple (or even near a temple), this is especially true. So what's the solution?

 

 

In November of 1969, while speaking in London's Conway Hall, Srila Prabhupada stated the following:

 

 

"The process is very simple. Just keep a picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates. Lord Caitanya is in the middle, accompanied by His principal associates -- Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, and Srivasa. One simply has to keep this picture. One can keep it anywhere. It is not that one has to come to us to see this picture. Anyone can have this picture in his home, chant this Hare Krsna mantra, and thus worship Lord Caitanya. That is the simple method. But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains. Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krsna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krsna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity."

 

 

In this brief statement, Srila Prabhupada underlines the simplicity and accessibility of Krsna consciousness for everyone. Nothing fancy is required. Srila Prabhupada says here that one simply has to chant Hare Krsna, and keep a picture of Lord Caitanya and His associates (Sri Panca-Tattva) in his or her home. "That is the simple method," he declares. But who will take to it? "Those who have good brains."

 

 

If we make the effort to understand Srila Prabhupada's teachings in essence, it becomes obvious that what he is saying is always very practical and straightforward. Anyone in any condition of life can practice devotional service to the Supreme Lord by applying Prabhupada's instructions to their daily lives. We can begin by hearing the transcendental sound vibration of the Hare Krsna mantra from the lips of Krsna's pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. Then we can chant the Hare Krsna mantra: "Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare." This is the beginning of our devotional lives.

 

 

From here, we can gradually read and become familiar with Srila Prabhupada's books and instructions. If we can't read, then we can listen to his tapes. It is not required that we must become great scholars or renunciants to advance in Krsna consciousness. In fact, these accoutrements can be obstacles on the spiritual path if we become arrogant or "puffed up" because of them. Lord Caitanya Himself taught that the chanting of Hare Krsna must be performed "in a humble state of mind." Srila Prabhupada confirms that sincerity is the essential ingredient in the successful execution of bhakti-yoga:

 

 

"Some scholars recommend that knowledge and renunciation are important factors for elevating oneself to devotional service. But actually that is not a fact. Actually, the cultivation of knowledge or renunciation, which are favorable for achieving a footing in Krsna consciousness, may be accepted in the beginning, but ultimately they may also come to be rejected, for devotional service is dependent on nothing other than the sentiment or desire for such service. It requires nothing more than sincerity." (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 14)

 

 

If we can't enjoy the association of a temple or temple devotees, Srila Prabhupada has nonetheless requested that we stick to the process which he has revealed to us, regardless of our personal circumstances:

 

 

"Whether you live in temple or outside temple, the rules and regulation and the process must be followed. Then you are successful. It doesn't matter that you have to live in the temple. If he does not agree with other godbrothers, friends, he can live separately. But he must follow the rules and regulation. That is wanted." (Srila Prabhupada, morning walk conversation, February 3, 1975)

 

 

Quite simply, our home can become our temple and place of worship. After all, Lord Krsna is in everyone's heart, and He sees everything. So there is no impediment to our spiritual advancement if we are sincere in our efforts and determination. We can design a simple altar at home and honor the above-mentioned picture of Sri Panca-Tattva. In addition, Srila Prabhupada has authorized us to worship his picture as nondifferent from him:

 

 

"There is no difference between me and my picture. Therefore we should honor and keep pictures in that spirit. If we throw pictures this way and that way, that is offence. The name and picture are as good as the person in spiritual world. In the material world either picture or person, everything is illusion." (Srila Prabhupada letter, September 4, 1972)

 

 

In this way, we can have the association of the Supreme Lord and His pure devotee wherever we are. Then we can always feel the divine presence in our lives. This is the simple method recommended by Srila Prabhupada.

 

 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

.

[Guest guest]

 

sincerity

 

\Sin*cer"i*ty\, n. [L. sinceritas: cf. F. sinc['e]rit['e].] The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense; sincereness.

 

I protest, in the sincerity of love. --Shak.

 

Sincerity is a duty no less plain than important. --Knox.

 

 

n 1: an earnest and sincere feeling [syn: earnestness, seriousness] 2: the quality of being open and truthful; not deceitful or hypocritical; "his sincerity inspired belief"; "they demanded some proof of my sincerity" [ant: insincerity] 3: a quality of naturalness and simplicity; "the simple sincerity of folk songs" [syn: unassumingness] 4: the trait of being serious; "a lack of solemnity is not necessarily a lack of seriousness"- Robert Rice [syn: seriousness, earnestness, serious-mindedness] [ant: frivolity]

 

 

 

 

 

PRABHUPADA SAID

On Book Production and Distribution

Some of Prabhupada's well-known maxims stress the value of his books and the necessity to print them with the greatest care.

1. "If there are any mistakes in my books, then the books will not be taken seriously."

2. "Every word in these books in like a document." (And therefore the editors shouldn't be careless or speculate)

3. ""These purports are my devotional ecstasies."

Prabhupada's first books were printed by devotees at ISKCON Press, but they weren't expertly done. When Prabhupada received the first copy of one paperback edition of a Bhagavatam chapter, he opened it and the binding fell apart in his hands. To the devotees who saw this he asked, "What will it take for my disciples to learn how to print these books so that they will not fall apart?"

Brahmananda replied, "Sincerity, Prabhupada. If we were more sincere, then we could do it."

"Srila Prabhupada looked down at the broken book in his hand and said, "No".

The assembled devotees were surprised.

One of them asked, "Not sincerity?"

"Sincerity, yes," said Prabhupada, "plus intelligence."

Here are Mayapur my Guru Maharaja was printing one paper. It was selling for only a few paise. Sometimes whenever one brahmacari would go to Navadvipa and sell even a few copies, I would see my Guru Maharaja become very much pleased.... So I am always emphasising book distribution. It is better than kirtana. It is better than chanting. Of course chanting should not stop, but book distribution is the best kirtana."

 

[Guest guest]

LITTLE DROPS OF NECTAR

In Hyderabad, after a pandal lecture program, a teenage Indian boy spent the night with the devotees. The next morning he entered Srila Prabhupada's room along with the initiated devotees and sat down close to Prabhupada. As soon as Prabhupada saw the boy, he pointed to the door without saying a word. The boy also said nothing but got up and left. Srila Prabhupada then turned to one of the sannyasis and said, "First he must wash all the pots." He explained that Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had always first tested the sincerity of someone who wanted to join by asking him to wash pots.

[Guest guest]

Letter of April 8, 1974

"There is no question of bigness or smallness of the centre as far as pleasing me is concerned. It is sincerity of the attempt that is the important thing. Of course, as Krsna sees the sincerity of our hearts He supplies the facility. Just like I came to your country with only 40 rupees and now we have this big institution. So you can be sure that Krsna will supply you according to your capacity. I think that if you continue working sincerely, you will get all facilities that you require for your purposes."

[gHari]

means wanting Krsna more than anything else.

 

It means wanting Him to the exclusion of everything else.

 

It means wanting Him for no selfish reason, but simply because He is so wonderful.

 

 

[armisael108]

Thanks, I really liked the one with Prabhupada making someone wash the pots to test his sincerity.

[Guest guest]

about Sincerity.