Question to Radhanath Swami: We come to the temple, and we listen to lectures. But we are finding it difficult to take spiritual life seriously. So what is the solution? How to be determined?
Radhanath Swami Answers: Before you could run a cross country, you have to learn how to crawl. And then after learning how to crawl, you have to learn how to take your first step. Any destination begins with the first step. Man can move mountains by beginning with the first stone. We have to simply persevere from whatever position we are at, with honesty and sincerity. Krishna tells us in Bhagavad-Gita
ananyas chintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesham nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-kshemam vahamy aham
[BG 9.22]
If we are just honest and sincere, God will help us. God will help us in every way. How he helps us? He may put in many impediments on the path. But if we understand with positive attitude, “Yes! This is a good thing that is happening. This obstacle, this tragedy, is a good. Something for me to learn; there is something for me to grow through this process,” then we will grow and we will learn.
Association is important to maintain that proper attitude. At the beginning stages where we are just learning to crawl – spiritually – if you just have that positive attitude, nice association and the perseverance, then soon you will be running to Krishna.
Every journey begins with the first step, but there has to be faith for us to continue on. We are not speaking of blind faith. We are speaking of faith based on philosophy, logic and authority. That faith is real faith. That faith can carry us through our obstacles and inspire us to carry on, even when we are so very far away. If we just have that faith and that sincerity, the only thing that separates us from our ultimate aspiration is a little bit of time. Where there is faith, sincerity and honesty, that attracts mercy, and through mercy everything is possible.
