Category:Our Spirituality (Disciples of SP)
Theme Analysis
The process of spiritual advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not based on vague sentiments or imaginary elevation; it is a practical science grounded in strict discipline. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught his disciples that true spiritual progress begins with observing the regulative principles, rising early, and carefully chanting sixteen rounds. He provided a very simple test for evaluating one's advancement: if a devotee feels enthusiastic to wake up for maṅgala-ārati and perform their duties, they are acting on the spiritual platform, but if they feel lazy or find the service hackneyed, they are slipping back into material consciousness. To protect their spiritual standing, disciples must strictly avoid mundane power politics, excessive business endeavors, and illicit sense gratification. Ultimately, spiritual life is sustained by unbroken association with devotees and faithful adherence to the instructions of the spiritual master, which ensures that one is never spiritually separated from the paramparā.
- The Foundation of Strict Discipline: There is no spiritual progress without discipline. Advancement relies entirely on strict adherence to the vows taken at initiation, specifically chanting sixteen rounds and rising early in the morning.
- Testing Progress Through Enthusiasm: Spiritual life is dynamic. A devotee can easily test their advancement by checking their level of enthusiasm. Laziness or feeling that service is a burden indicates a fall down to the material platform.
- Renunciation and Purity: As a devotee tastes higher spiritual happiness, their attraction to lower material pleasures (like excessive eating, sleeping, and sex) naturally diminishes. Following the principles of purity and accepting only the bare necessities is essential for enlightenment.
- Avoiding Mundane Business and Politics: The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a spiritual institution. If devotees become distracted by power politics, democratic voting, or massive commercial enterprises, their spiritual progress will be severely hampered.
- Spiritual Association and the Paramparā: Physical proximity to the guru is secondary to following his instructions. By strictly following the orders of the spiritual master and associating with sincere devotees, one remains fully connected to the spiritual lineage.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: How Prabhupāda Instructs His Disciples on Spiritual Advancement.
Subcategories
This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.
Pages in category "Our Spirituality (Disciples of SP)"
The following 113 pages are in this category, out of 113 total.
A
- A disciple should offer dandabats, not namaskara. The more one becomes fixed up in guru obeisances, the more he advances in spiritual progress
- All my European and American disciples have no varnasrama position, but spiritually because they have followed the rules and regulations and also my instructions, their advancement spiritually is being appreciated by everyone
- All our members, the members of the Krsna consciousness society, should be ideal. At least people may see that "Here is a class of men - ideal character, ideal behavior, spiritual advanced, and very frugal and very nice"
- All the members should be very careful to execute their spiritual duties so that whoever comes will automatically become a devotee and will be able to return back to Godhead in this very life
- Always remember that I am always with you. As you are always thinking of me I am always thinking of you also. Although physically we are not together, we are not separated spiritually
- Apara bhakti means on the material platform. Generally, the Deity worship. This is the beginning, but as you go on worshiping the Deity you realize your spiritual identity. Then you do not see the Deity as made of stone or wood
- As far as possible we shall not deal in business. That will not be very good for our spiritual progress. But if somebody contributes for our good cause, that is different
- As ordinary beings, whatever they are creating in this life, after giving up this body everything is lost. But this KC, even it is not completed, whatever they have learned, that will go with them, because it is spiritual, it will not be destroyed
- As we make progress and get taste of spiritual happiness, so proportionately we give up the taste of this material happiness
B
- But spiritual purpose, if you work more than twenty-four hours... Unfortunately, you haven't got more than twenty-four hours at your disposal. Still, you won't feel fatigued. I tell you. This is my practical experience
- By competing with the politicians we may drop from our spiritual ideal
- By this work not only you will be blessed by Krishna, which is a spiritual gift, but also your name will be recorded in the history of the Krishna Consciousness Movement, which I am sure is to grow to the largest volume of expansion
D
- Democracy in spiritual affairs is not at all good but breeds power politics. We should be careful about power politics. Our only aim should be that each and every devotee is full dedicated to Krsna, then things will go on nicely
- Devotees do not suffer from skin disease, black or white or brown or red or whatever. In the material world black and white are opposites, but spiritually black and white are varieties. That is the proper vision
- Disciple means discipline. Without discipline there cannot be any spiritual progress. Therefore our system is to follow the authority or our superiors, no that we can independently question, not this is right and this is wrong. That is not the way
- Do act on behalf of the Supreme Lord. And if you are steady in that position, then your working in spiritual platform is successful
- Do not be too much worried - forget the past, do not be attached to it for we are only thinking of how we may now please the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the devotees are always optimistic for the advancement of their spiritual progress
- Do you think you shall require all these books? Of course I have no objection if you keep these as reference books, but we should always remember that we have to give more stress on our spiritual side than the scholastic side
- Don't be captivated by the material opulence, even you are put into great difficulties. Because you are not this material body. You are spirit soul. So your progress should be steady on the spiritual platform
I
- I am not interested to spend money for your political party neither engage our men to divert attention from spiritual progress for political propaganda
- I am requesting again and again that all of my disciples simply follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly. Rising early, chanting 16 rounds, attending mangala arati and class, etc. are all essential for spiritual development
- I am so glad to learn that you are feeling too much engagement in New Vrindaban, and this a spiritual inspiration. Our society should never be a devil's workshop, but it should be certainly the most magnificent platform for spiritual activities
- I am so glad to learn that you are reading my Bhagavad-gita As It Is with great interest, and I hope if you kindly read my books carefully that all your spiritual desires will be fulfilled
- I am so glad to see your picture, just a Brahmacarini. The picture was very attractive for me, and I pray Krishna that you may make further progress in Krishna Consciousness so your spiritual beauty may come out more and more
- I am very glad to know that you have become more affectionate for your Spiritual Father than for your natural father, and this is quite to the standard of spiritual advancement
- I am very much pleased to note your sincere attitude towards our Krishna Consciousness Movement, and this sincerity will lead you to the highest spiritual consciousness if you continue in this way
- I am very pleased to know that you are feeling happy in your execution of devotional service. Service of Krishna's devotees is the highest stage of spiritual perfection, so your desire to render service to the other devotees is very nice
- I can perform spiritual weddings for my initiated disciples. I have gotten so many young devotees married, and they are executing Krishna Consciousness nicely. That is the real purpose of married life
- I have got hundreds and thousands of servants who I haven't got to pay. This is spiritual relationship
- I request you, all English boys and girls present here, now you become greater than your forefathers by taking this Krsna consciousness. That will make you more powerful, spiritually powerful. You can render service to the humanity
- I think this policy of Sankirtana, Prasadam and Srimad-Bhagavatam has been successful in all the centers. Please therefore follow this transcendental policy with heart and soul and make your center as spiritually opulent as far as possible
- If anyone becomes spiritually advanced, the agents of maya will criticize. So therefore you have to become tolerant
- If our workers are feeling tired, then that means he's working materially. And if he's feeling enthused, more and more, that is his, he's working spiritually
- If the wife is helpful in the spiritual progress of life, she is the best friend and philosopher
- If we give up our own spiritual activities and simply become concerned with the bodily comforts of others, we will fall into a dangerous position
- If you divert your attention to a lot of business, then spiritual advancement will be hampered. So I do not think it is wise to get that big store and start a big business with many departments. That will distract
- If you find it hackneyed, then you must know that you are not yet serving spiritually, you are serving materially
- If you want sex life, you are at liberty to get yourself married. But don't have illicit sex with some Maya's representative. That won't help you in your spiritual advancement. We don't forbid sex life, but we cannot allow illicit sex
- In the whole Nadia, this part is very sacred, Mayapur Candradoya Temple. So by Krsna's grace, you have got this opportunity to live here. Take advantage, full advantage of this opportunity, spiritually fortunate
- It is a part of my missionary work; I want to see that the Western boys and girls who are very much loose with their sex life should get themselves married and take to Krishna Consciousness seriously and they will be happy both materially and spiritually
- It is my duty to deliver you the right thing in right earnestness and it is the duty of the receiver to act in the standard spiritual regulation
- It is the duty of the parents to see that the children are growing luxuriantly not only materially, but spiritually also. So spiritual training should be given from the very beginning
J
- Just like if we get dry wood, then the fire ignites very easily. If we get moist wood, then it takes some time. So voluntarily we should give up these sinful activities. Then spiritual advancement of life will be very quick
- Just like without being red hot, you cannot burn any other thing. Similarly, without being fully spiritualized, you cannot make others spiritualized. Therefore we have to follow the parampara system
L
- Looking on women is not an impediment to spiritual progress, but looking on women with a view of sense gratification is detrimental
- Lord Caitanya says that ambudhi, the ocean of bliss, it increases. It increases. That is a new experience. When you are actually in spiritual happiness, your bliss will be increased
N
- No, if too much endeavour is there, that is to be avoided. By all means we must preserve our spiritual status, that is the point
- Nobody can realize spiritual enlightenment without following the principles of purity
- Now you and your good wife are both initiated, chant faithfully 16 rounds daily, and follow the four regulative principles. This will insure your spiritual perfection
O
- One clergyman, he was talking with me. He said, "Swamiji, I have seen your disciples have a very nice face, glowing face." And "Yes, certainly. They must be. They are making spiritual progress"
- One need not go into the forest in a secluded place to try to make spiritual advancement. Much better idea is that one associate with devotees in the Krishna Consciousness Centres; this will bring better spiritual results than living in the forest
- One who cannot rise early in the morning, he is not spiritually serious. That is test. Brahma-muhurta, this hour, one hour before sunrise, is very auspicious moment
- Our program is not to become happy by so-called adjustment of material condition. That is not possible. Better come to the spiritual platform and act in the spiritual life. Then there is possibility of happiness
- Our workers are all dedicated souls and they are engaging in activities on the spiritual platform. If sometimes you could find the time, perhaps we could meet together and we can talk
P
- Physically and mentally we may be disturbed sometimes, but we have to stand erect on the spiritual platform. I may inform you in the connection that I am at the present moment physically unfit
- Please see that all the devotees are following these principles; this program is the essential basis of our spiritual advancement
- Please utilize the opportunity of service diligently and it will be a great spiritual achievement for you and a great service to your country and community
S
- Sannyasi means responsible, you must be responsible for the spiritual progress of the devotees, to see that the right standard is being observed in all departments
- Simply become more concerned with increasing the spiritual content of our lives, and in this way all other problems like management will be easily solved, not that they can be solved by making some legal formula and having big big meetings and talks
- Simply by chanting and hearing you spiritualize yourself. So a day will come when this material body also will be fully spiritualized. Fully spiritualized means there will be no more material activities; simply these spiritual activities will be there
- So far as your duty is concerned, you are doing your best. That is your spiritual qualification. The best qualification for a Vaisnava is to act sincerely, and to his best capacity, for the service of Krishna
- So far remembering me and Krishna, it should be simultaneous. I am your Spiritual Father, and Krishna is your Spiritual Husband. A girl can never forget either her father or her husband
- Spiritual cultivation is not exactly meant for the sannyasi’s or vanaprastha's it is meant for everyone. Everybody, just like our spiritual method we are also, we are women, children, men but the purpose is different
- Spiritually everyone is equal. But materially a woman cannot be given Sannyasa. But you should not be bothered because you are serving on the spiritual platform
- Spiritually there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place
- Such contract of spiritual wedlock is made on the basis of compatible service of the Lord because such mutual cooperation in serving the advancement of Krsna Consciousness minimizes the illusion of material compatibility and incompatibility
T
- That is our real concern, the spiritual progress of life. That is duty of GBC
- The culprit mind is always suspicious; therefore our dealings should always be straightforward and approved by Vedic authorities. If we treat people diplomatically or duplicitously, our spiritual advancement is obstructed
- The enquirer should be very submissive, and the answer-giver also should always remember the lotus feet, so the right answer can be given. This is the way of spiritual enquiry and spiritual answer. This is called sva-gosthi
- The instructions given to the disciple by the S.M. at the time of initiation should be strictly followed. That will make one advance to the spiritual path. If one deliberately defies such instructions, then his advancement is hampered
- The less a person is concerned with material enjoyment such as eating, sex and sleeping, the more he is spiritually advanced. If the "devotee" himself lives like a hog or dog how can he preach?
- The money belongs to Krsna. So if you spend it for Krsna, then it is spiritual. And if you spend for your benefit, that is material
- The more you make the Deity of Jagannatha attractively dressed, the more you shall become spiritually attractive
- The test is within our hand. If during mangala-arati we feel laziness, that means I'm not yet spiritually advanced. And if one feels enthused, "Now it is time for mangala-arati, let me stand up, let me do this," then it is spiritual
- There is no harm to become materially advanced, but if simply for material advancement we forget our spiritual basis, it will be a great loss
- There is no such hard and fast rule that one should live in the temple. You can live anywhere, but the spiritual practices should be going on
- These spiritual practices will make us strong and able to defend ourselves from the onslaughts of maya
- These transcendental spots, Mayapur and Vrindaban are place of spiritual inspiration for all devotees of ISKCON. They are the best places in the world to come and chant Hare Krishna and prepare for going Back to Home, Back to Godhead
- To keep advancing in your spiritual power always be sure to chant at least the prescribed sixteen rounds of beads daily. This is the fundamental program for advancing more and more in Krsna Consciousness
- Too much official control is not good in spiritual life. The centers should remain spiritually fit and independent. Some control must be there as is now. Too much control means so many vouchers. Gradually it will become a mundane institution
W
- We are interested in spiritual subject matter. Therefore the process is adau gurv-asrayam. One has to accept a bona fide spiritual master. That is our process. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master, we cannot make any progress. It is impossible
- We are not concerned with the dress; we are concerned with the advancement of spiritual understanding. That's all
- We are restricting, that "Don't work hard like hog and dog or animals. Just satisfy your minimal necessities of life, save time and advance in spiritual understanding." This is our mission
- We can understand how we have to be very cautious in executing our spiritual duties by observing the rules and regulations and regularly chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. If we neglect doing this, we will eventually fall down
- We do not bluff our students that he has liberty to do all sorts of nonsense, and at the same time advance in spiritual understanding
- We do strongly believe in Krsna's protection. Real, spiritual protection is firm faith in Krishna. So go on with your real life as Krsna's devotee
- We have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give people an opportunity to associate with those who have not forgotten Krsna. This spiritual association offered by our ISKCON movement is increasing day by day
- We have to adjust things in such a way that my major portion of my attention or energy may be applied for advancing spiritual consciousness or Krsna consciousness. That should be the motto of our life
- We have to finish this material business before we can understand spiritual thing. If one has got still inclination for material things, it is useless waste of time for him to understand
- We shall have to teach character and spiritual understanding to the young children. To study other things as a high grade scholar is secondary for us
- We train our children in KC, just be keeping them always attending regular program & associating with Krsna devotees, teaching them spiritual realization by giving the idea that sacrifice & tapasya to achieve life's highest goal is a nice way of life
- What one should do is chant the Holy Name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm, and firm conviction on the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the Maha Mantra one can be gradually elevated to the highest platform of spiritual perfection
- When a disciple becomes perfect in spiritual advancement, the spiritual master feels very, very happy, that "I am a nonsense, but this boy, he has followed my instruction and he has achieved the success. That is my success"
- Whenever you like, we shall select any brahmacari. But don't have illicit sex. Marriage is allowed. I take personally care of marriage. I want this society must be cleansed. Without being cleansed, nobody can advance in spiritual consciousness
- Without being fully spiritualized, you cannot make others spiritualized. Therefore we have to follow the parampara system. The disciplic succession, as we get the knowledge, as we get the power, as we get the instruction, so we have to follow
- Without cleaning the mind, nobody can advance in spiritual understanding. And the chanting of Hare Krishna is the cleansing process of the mind. That is our motto
Y
- Yes, sannyasi, brahmacari, means preaching. They are not meant for material management. They have dedicated their life for spiritual
- Yes, you are correct in stating that spiritual activities, even mentally performed, are beneficial. You have seen the picture in NOD how a brahmana simply by mental service was promoted to Vaikuntha
- You are a sincere devotee of the Lord and certainly He will bless you with auspicious advancement in the matter of spiritual understanding
- You are helping me in my mission; although I am not physically present there, spiritually I am always with you
- You are not to judge. You should be, you should know that this man is appointed, and he gets here by spiritual process. I must follow. You cannot judge him
- You keep this humble attitude always, and your example will be a source of spiritual inspiration for everyone
- You may stop the political program. It will not benefit our real spiritual position
- You should think like that (you are so fortunate to have this opportunity to sit and chant the Holy Names without the Maya distractions of the outer world), and use your time in the prison house to the greatest advantage for spiritual advancement
- You yourself must be ideal in following the rules and regulations, rising early, and restricting eating and sleeping. The less a person is concerned with material enjoyment such as eating, sex and sleeping, the more he is spiritually advanced
- Yukta Vairagya means that we should simply accept the bare necessities of our material part of life, and try to save time for spiritual advancement. This should be the motto of New Vrindaban, if you at all develop it to the perfectional stage