Questions And Answers: Emotions / Humility

How can we appear humble when we have received a little bit of mercy by the Lord? Because of this mercy, we are having the great desire of giving to others this message and we are trying to show boldness and some enthusiasm, so sometimes people take this enthusiasm for pride. So how can we appear to be more humble in front of them?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-09-25
Jayapatākā Swami: When you put the butter on the fire and then keep it on the heat,
then as it stays simmering in the heat, automatically the impurities come off to the top.
The more that you go on giving the mercy out, then naturally Kṛṣṇa gives the spiritual intelligence.
teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te
(Bg. 10.10)
He gives intelligence how to advance in the devotional service.
There are some people who, they’ll will always find criticisms against the devotees;
those are the people who don’t get Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mercy.
The other thing is that we should remain humble.
Because even if we may have a drop of mercy,
that mercy is only by the mercy of Guru and Kṛṣṇa, and we have yet so much further to go.
So, when we realize how much further we must still progress on the path, then how can we help but be humble?
We may feel little enthusiasm after serving, but that enthusiasm is simply the first step.
Beyond that there is so much higher realizations that we still must achieve.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Emotions / Pride], [Sādhanā / Preaching]
How can we have a proper attitude like Vāsudeva Datta?
Questioner: Gopa Gopikā devī dāsī
Date: 2023-07-07
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if we take inspiration from the example of Vāsudeva Datta,
and try to emulate that,
then naturally, gradually we can achieve similar consciousness. 
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes]
How do we develop a state of mind where we don’t see obstacles in spiritual life as obstacles anymore?
Questioner: Rāmakānāi Mathureśa dāsa, Reading, UK
Date: 2022-10-05
Jayapatākā Swami: You just expect to have different obstacles.
If it was too easy, that wouldn’t be glorious.
So we expect there will be tests and challenges.
If we see that, we will be determined to go ahead.
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Humility], [Material World / Mind / Intelligence], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
How to always be humble and remember Kṛṣṇa?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-10
Jayapatākā Swami: How to be always humble?
If we think that we are the doer then we tend to be puffed up.
If we think that by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa
I am able to understand something,
that means we are humble.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)]
How to develop tolerance?
Questioner: Rādhā Śrī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Rādhā Śrī! How to develop tolerance for everything? It is very hard to tolerate the absence of Kṛṣṇa 
and the absence of Prabhupāda. 
So that is called vipralambha-bhāva 
or feeling separation. 
That is something we don’t have to tolerate. 
We can cry. 
But all these false ego things I was talking about before, 
we tolerate those,
because we know that they are not constructive. 
So unless we can do something for Kṛṣṇa, we tolerate it and we don’t do it. 
So as we develop more attachment for Kṛṣṇa, it is easier to tolerate material things. 
So what we should do as a human being is learn more about Kṛṣṇa. 
And to develop our affection and attraction for Kṛṣṇa. 
And then it is very easy to tolerate all the other things.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
How to tolerate bodily pains and carry on enthusiastically in devotional service ?
Questioner: Sureśvara Nimāi dāsa
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Well, if you can do that, it is a sign of being very advanced. 
Usually when we are suffering, it is hard to render devotional service enthusiastically. 
But some devotees are able to do so; 
and that depends on how grateful you are to the guru, or how you are attached to Gaurāṅga or Kṛṣṇa. 
Also, how bad is the material suffering you are going through? 
Category: [Emotions / Enthusiasm], [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Vaiṣṇava-qualities]
In Caitanya-līlā we see that even though Lord Caitanya's associates were beyond error, they considered themselves as offenders due to their humility. On the contrary, we never seem to accept our faults. How do we become more humble, like Lord Caitanyas associates?
Questioner: Gopati Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Date: 2022-10-15
Jayapatākā Swami: Interesting. 
In other words, you are saying we have false ego. 
We think we don’t have any faults. 
But the associates of Lord Caitanya, 
always think, it must be because of some faults they did. 
So, we should follow in their example. 
Don’t blame others,
see yourself first. 
What mistake you made, 
“Not me! It was he!” 
The associates of Lord Caitanya are teaching by their good example, 
because of their good qualities, 
Lord Caitanya’s heart melted. 
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Emotions / Hypocrisy], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Gaurāṇga], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
In Śaraṇāgati-bhajana, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura spoke about the six aspects of surrendering and also mentioned that Kṛṣṇa hears the prayers of those who practice them. But sometimes I feel that I am not able to practice them properly, especially kārpaṇya or humility. In this situation what should I do so that Kṛṣṇa may hear my prayers?
Questioner: Sudevī Jayaśrī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-09-21
Jayapatākā Swami: We like to think that if we are doing good it is by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
We don’t take any credit for ourselves.
In that way, we stay humble.
If we think we are the doer, then that is also arrogance.
And so we are depending on guru and Kṛṣṇa all the time.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead)], [Sādhanā], [Sādhanā / Philosophical questions], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
One of the qualities we develop is humbleness and tolerance. Sometimes this results in others taking advantage of us. For example, at work. What should we do to avoid this?
Questioner: Śyāmavallabhā Gopī devī dāsī
Date: 2023-01-27
Jayapatākā Swami: If they are right, you know that you are able to do.
If someone is asking you to do something you think that, is not correct or which is beyond your scope, then you can say, I am sorry, but be very polite.
Humility doesn’t mean you do everything that everybody tells you!
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Sevā], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings]
Prabhuji, just asked about the verse from Śikṣāṣṭaka. How do we become as tolerant as a tree, taror api sahiṣṇunā, how do we become as tolerant as a tree when unfavorable situations come towards us?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: Practice makes perfect!
So we practice them,
and get better and better.
I mean, Lord Caitanya said we should wear that verse around our neck,
and try to follow it every day.
So, as you practice you get more expert at it.
If you see someone who is doing that, you think they are doing that, then you ask them how they are doing it.
Category: [Emotions / Humility]
Remembering one of the Śikṣāṣṭaka ślokas, tṛṇād api sunīcena, it is very easy to be respectful and humble in front of our spiritual master but sometimes we forget to do the same in front of others. How do we develop that attitude?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-01
Jayapatākā Swami: That verse is not just meant in front of the guru,
it is for everyone.
We want to be humble and tolerant
and appreciate others,
but not expect any appreciation for ourselves.
This way you can chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra always.
If you want to chant always, then you should follow this principle.
Someone gave me a book once by Dale Carnegie called How to Win Friends and Influence People,
and in that book, he simply mentioned that you offer our respect to everyone and don’t expect any respect yourself.
So, I was kind of surprised that this famous person he is giving, the essence of Lord Caitanya’s third verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka.
Try it, tell everyone you meet how wonderful they are.
Oh! they are thinking you are a great person!
Don’t expect anyone to reciprocate.
If they do that is ok, but don’t expect it.
Category: [Emotions / Humility]
Since I came to know that why we have come to this material world, I feel myself fallen and very sinful. Is it ok to think like that?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-10-29
Jayapatākā Swami: Very good!
Lord Caitanya said that
we should be very humble to all.
To think oneself very sinful, fallen is a humble state of mind.
But in the humble state of mind, one should not lose their enthusiasm.
They should remain enthusiastic, not to remain in the fallen state.
We should not think that I am sinful and therefore I should not practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Because we are sinful that is why we should practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
That way we can solve our problems.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Emotions / Sorrow], [Material World]
The way you explained just now, it is very difficult to understand Lord Śiva. Similarly, in the Śīkṣāṣṭakam Lord Caitanya has put all the knowledge in the Śīkṣāṣṭakam, eight verses, so like the verse tṛṇād api sunīcena - it seems so impractical to practice. Being more tolerant than a tree, just thinking about it, you nail, and tree and the tree does not respond. My humble request is that if you so desire, could you during your stay here and in the caitanya-līlā classes, could you explain to us how we could live those eight verses? How we can practice them? And how can we make it practical?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-09-04
Jayapatākā Swami: You see someone gave me a book How to make Friends, by Dale Carnegie.
He was actually saying the third verse of the Śīkṣāṣṭakam.
No matter what anyone says to you, just praise everybody and make friends.
When a material person like that, was able to understand
how we should tolerate offences and just appreciate others,
then how profound are Lord Caitanya’s instructions!
I have seen, someone comes and says you are a rascal, a rogue! And then you just say, thank you very much!
I understand that you are very - just praise the person.
So then what can they say?
So, whether you believe it or you are just doing it because you are told it works, try it!
But like one time in the GBC meeting, someone told us this - tell someone something good, then some criticism, then something good.
So they said I will do it, tell the person next to you. So you have to think something good of the person next to you.
Oh, the way you give class it inspires us!
Sometimes you drink water and you touch the lips to the glass then it becomes muci,
but anyway you are very special person.
So what can they say?
You managed to criticize them at the same time you praised them.
That way, you be like bees look for the honey.
Not like flies looking for the sores and infections.
But a guru or a manager, sometimes he has to find fault.
And if your husband or someone, you just tell people negative, they become distressed.
But you say something like you are very dedicated, you are wonderful,
but sometimes you get worried that people may take advantage of you.
Anyway, I am sure you will take the steps to see that.
Learn how to say things in a positive way.
It is not impractical.
It is very practical.
If you say you are nonsense, you rascal, then people they think he hates me.
If you tell something nice, he then they think, oh, he like me.
Then you may give some advice,
they don’t feel like you don’t like them or something.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Śrī Caitanya-līlā / Lord Caitanya]
We can see how you served Śrīla Prabhupāda whole life with complete dedication and surrender. How can I develop full surrender to the spiritual master and become servant in the true sense, keeping aside false pride?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-02
Jayapatākā Swami: Just like I am serving my spiritual master,
I hope you can learn from my example
and serve me.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
What is the right mood to accept our own glorification from other devotees ?
Questioner: Harṣavardana Gaurāṅga dāsa
Date: 2022-08-04
Jayapatākā Swami: We think how we are able to do some service by the mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
And thus we stay humble.
Category: [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra], [Emotions / Pride], [Emotions / Humility]
What should be our mood while serving you, my dear spiritual master? How should we develop feeling of gratitude and humility?
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2024-02-19
Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally, we should serve the spiritual master as the representative of his guru, the guru-paramparā and Kṛṣṇa.
So, in this way Kṛṣṇa is watching
and how we satisfy our spiritual master
that Kṛṣṇa sees.
He blesses accordingly.
Now how to develop proper attitude.
It happens naturally as we progress in our spiritual life.
Hare Kṛṣṇa!
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Guru (Spiritual Master)], [Sādhanā / Sevā]
When Mahāprabhu showed the universal form, Advaita Gosāñi cried with intense ecstasy and begged humbly with a straw between His teeth for devotional service. Do pure, humble devotees actually do that?
Questioner: Mālinī Sundarī devī dāsī
Date: 2022-10-17
Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita Ācārya is considered a topmost devotee.
And what He is doing is an example for all to follow.
Everyone who is on the level of a topmost devotee, will also be begging from the Lord for service.
In the material world, one wants to control to enjoy
the material nature;
but in spiritual life, one wants to be enjoyed by the Lord.
One wants to please the Lord.
And one wants to serve the Lord.
So the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra means. “Oh Lord! Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service.”
So as we engage in the Lord’s service, in devotees service, our taste for Kṛṣṇa consciousness increases.
So the Lord is enjoying His pastimes.
He is always happy
and the devotees who are participating with His pastimes,
they are also happy.
Who wants to be happy?
[Haribol!]
The real happiness is to please Kṛṣṇa.
We are part of Kṛṣṇa.
When He is pleased, we are all automatically pleased.
When He is happy, we are also happy.
Category: [Emotions / Humility], [Kṛṣṇa (Godhead) / Pastimes], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings], [Vaiṣṇava Dealings / Etiquette / Sadācāra]
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