Spiritual Questions and Answers with Radhanath Swami
Question to Radhanath Swami: It’s said that the forces of good have to be united to fight the forces of evil. But we see that in today’s world, the forces of evil are united. What can be done in such a scenario?
Radhanath Swami: It is a fact that to be good in this world, to be God conscious in this world means to fight a war against evil. As soon as we want to do something good, as soon as we want to be spiritual, we’re on the battlefield….
Question to Radhanath Swami: Once I asked some of my close friends to stop criticizing others and stop swearing. “Instead you can be calm and chant the holy names of God,” I requested them. But the fired back, “You’re trying to show off. You’re not a devotee, you’re just trying to show off, you’re not what you look like.” And that kind of negativity was coming out of them. So what should I do?
Answer by Radhanath Swami: We should cultivate humility, we should cultivate a service attitude, and the more we become genuine, the more people will actually recognize that genuineness in us.
Question to Radhanath Swami: It is said that we should always associate with selfless people, and that’s very critical. Then, how should we interact with the people who are selfish? As you say, we should also love them as they are also part of God. So, if we are surrounded by such people, how should we act?
Radhanath Swami: By being a good example. Of course, if those people open their minds and hearts for us to speak to them about higher virtues and higher truths in life….
Question to Radhanath Swami: Is this beautiful world really anxiety ridden as the saints say?!!!!
Radhanath Swami: Srila Prabhupad, our Guru, often expressed in his writings how material life is actually full of anxieties. And the less selfish we are, the more we understand that reality. Sometimes we maybe so happy and it may seem that there is no anxiety in the world, “I am happy.
Question to Radhanath Swami: When we meet great souls the fire of bhakti is bright and clear in our hearts. But how can we keep that spark bright even when we are in the real world?
Radhanath Swami: We eat to gain strength. And it’s not that you just eat on Monday and comeback the next Sunday to eat again
Question to Radhanath Swami: According to the Bhagavad Gita we are not the doers. Whatever is done is done by Lord Krishna. Then why are we affected by laws of karma?
Radhanath Swami: We can’t do anything without God’s help. We cannot see or even breathe without God’s help. So how could we take credit for what we do?
