Personal Excellence Zagreb, March 2008

1. Personal ExcellenceZagreb, March 2008

3. Story: Eagle (guest)

4. Excellence in sadhana

5. THE BASIS OF EXCELLENCE • Chanting minimum 16 rounds of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra • Following the 4 regulative principles (no meat eating, no intoxications, no gambling, no illicit sex)

6. RESIDENTIAL SADHANA - morning • Getting up early (4 a.m.) • Taking shower • Attending Mangala arotik • Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one go) • Darshan, Guru Puja, Jay Radha Madhava • Class • Breakfast • Service

7. RESIDENTIAL SADHANA - evening • Gaura arati • Preaching programs or reading

8. CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - morning • Getting up (between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.) • Shower • Chanting all the morning program mantras in one go • Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one go) • Reading or listening to class • Breakfast • Going to work

9. CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - evening • Gaura arati or reading • Attending a nama hatta program or sanga

10. FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN SADHANA Studying and applying ch. 8 (Offenses to Be Avoided) and ch. 9 (Further Considerations of Devotional Principles) from the Nectar of Devotion

11. SRILA BHAKTIVINODA’S DAILY SCHEDULE 08:00-10:00 P.M. Rest (two hours)10:00-04:00 A.M. Write04.00-04:30 A.M. Rest04:30-07:00 A.M. Chant Japa07:00-07:30 A.M. Correspondence07:30-09:30 A.M. Study sastras09:30-10:00 A.M. Bath, prasadam (half- liter milk, fruit, 2 chapatis)10:00-01:00 P.M. Court Duties01:00-02:00 P.M. Refresh at home02:00-05:00 P.M. Court Duties

12. Excellence in relationships

14. SHARING LOVE BETWEEN DEVOTEES • Offering gifts in charity • Accepting charitable gifts • Revealing one’s mind in confidence • Inquiring confidentially • Accepting prasadam • Offering prasadam Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 4

15. RESPECTING THE DEVOTEES • One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Krsna • One should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation (diksha) and is engaged in worshiping the Deity • One should associate with and faithfully serve that pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 5

16. PERSONAL ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS Every man should act like this: • When he meets a person more quallified than himself, he should be very pleased • When he meets someone less quallified than himself, he should be compassionate toward him • When he meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material world SB 4.8.34 (Narada’s Instruction to Dhruva Maharaja)

17. BASIS FOR MATURE RELATIONSHIPS One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled. BG 5.7

18. BASIS FOR MATURE RELATIONSHIPS Great devotees see Krsna as the reservoir of all relationships. In the scriptures there are twelve basic kinds of relationships mentioned, and all of them are present in Krsna. It is said that He is the ocean of all the relationships exchanged between two living entities, between the gods, or between the Supreme Lord and His devotees. BG 11.14 Purport

19. BASIS FOR MATURE RELATIONSHIPS Bhismadeva advised for all human beings nine qualifications: (1) not to become angry, (2) not to lie, (3) to equally distribute wealth, (4) to forgive, (5) to beget children only by one’s legitimate wife, (6) to be pure in mind and hygienic in body, (7) not to be inimical toward anyone, (8) to be simple, and (9) to support servants or subordinates. SB 1.9.26 Purport

20. QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE • He is always kind to everyone, and he does not pick quarrels. • He is equal to everyone, and no one can find fault in him. • His magnanimous mind is always fresh and clean and devoid of material obsessions. • He is a benefactor to all living entities and is peaceful and always surrendered to Krsna. • He has no material desires.

21. QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE • He is very humble and is fixed in his purpose. • He is victorious over the six material qualities such as lust and anger • He is always sane and is respectful to others, but he does not require respect for himself. • He is grave, merciful, friendly, poetic, expert and silent. TLC 12: The devotee

22. Excellence in devotional service

23. GLORIES OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Perfection in self-realization cannot be attained by any kind of yogi unless he engages in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for that is the only auspicious path. SB 3.25.19

24. 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE • Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu • remembering them • serving the lotus feet of the Lord • offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia • offering prayers to the Lord • becoming His servant • considering the Lord one’s best friend • surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) SB 7.5.23-24

25. 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE “Among the ways of executing devotional service, the nine prescribed methods are the best, for these processes have great potency to deliver Krsna and ecstatic love for Him.” CC Antya 4.70

26. 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE One may be able to perform one item or many items, according to one’s capacity, but it is the principal factor of complete attachment to devotional service that makes one advance on the path. There are many devotees in history who have attained perfection in devotional service simply by discharging the duties of one item, and there are many other devotees, like Maharaja Ambarisa, who executed all the items. TLC 12: The devotee

27. 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Some individual devotees who attained perfection in devotional service by executing only one item are: • Maharaja Pariksit, who was liberated and fully perfected simply by hearing; • Sukadeva Gosvami, who became liberated and attained perfection in devotional service simply by chanting; • Prahlada Maharaja, who attained perfection by remembering; • Laksmi, who attained perfection by serving the lotus feet of the Lord;

28. 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE • King Prithu, who attained perfection simply by worshiping; • Akrura, who attained perfection simply by praying; • Hanuman, who attained perfection simply by becoming the servant of Lord Rama; • Arjuna, who attained perfection simply by being a friend of Krsna’s; • Bali Maharaja who attained perfection simply by offering whatever he had in his possession. TLC 12: The devotee

29. EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Govinda massaged the Lord’s legs as usual. He pressed the Lord’s waist and back very softly, and thus all the Lord’s fatigue went away. As Govinda stroked His body, the Lord slept very nicely for about forty-five minutes, and then His sleep broke. CC Antya 10.82-100

30. EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Govinda sitting by His side, He was somewhat angry. “Why have you been sitting here for so long today?” the Lord asked. “Why didn’t you go to take your meal after I fell asleep?” CC Antya 10.82-100

31. EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Govinda mentally replied, “My duty is to serve, even if I have to commit offenses or go to hell. I would not mind committing hundreds and thousands of offenses for the service of the Lord, but I greatly fear committing even a glimpse of an offense for my own self.” CC Antya 10.82-100

32. SERVICE EXCELLENCE • To preach / approach dealings with devotees, clients, friends and others with a deep desire to really help and solve their problems • Successful devotees have an external focus of how they can serve and not an internal focus of what they can get.

33. SERVICE EXCELLENCE • Customer: A person who purchases a commodity or service • Client: A person who is under the protection of another

34. SERVICE EXCELLENCE • Become a trusted friend or advisor • Talk in the way which shows your care and concern • Focus on giving value and advice instead of manipulating • Don’t fall in love with your ideas or effort – fall in love with the people you serve; take responsibility for their well-being

35. THINK BIG • Everything is possible by the grace of the Lord. SB 3.31.18 P • By the blessings of a Vaisnava, everything is possible. SB 5.1.10 P • By Krsna's supreme will, everything is possible. Krsna Book 50 • For advanced devotee, everything is possible. Lecture 1975

36. Excellence in leadership

37. Story: Butterfly (undeveloped muscles)

38. The words nyasino ’tyartha-lolupah indicate that charismatic religious leaders, and even those who are not charismatic, will proclaim themselves prophets, saints and incarnations to cheat the innocent public and fatten their bank accounts. Therefore the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is working arduously to establish bona fide celibate student life, religious householder life, dignified and progressive retirement, and genuine spiritual leadership for the entire world. SB 12.3.33 Purport

39. Story: Mango (guest)

40. Excellence in self-care

41. BASIS OF PERSONAL WELL-BEING • Body • Mind (thinking, feeling, willing) • Intelligence • Soul

42. BODY – SADHANA SARIRA • Our body is “sadhana sarira” or vehicle for performing devotional service • “Your body is My principal instrument for executing many necessary functions. By your body I shall carry out many tasks.” CC Antya 4.78 • An expert horseman, desiring to tame a headstrong horse, first lets the horse have his way for a moment and then, pulling the reins, gradually places the horse on the desired path. Similarly, the supreme yoga process is that by which one carefully observes the movements and desires of the mind and gradually brings them under full control” SB 11.20.21

43. PHYSICAL WELL-BEING A weak body means a weak mind – accept everything that is favorable for your service like • Healthy diet • Regular sleep • Exercise (e.g. 20-30 minutes of walking, swimming, etc most of the days) Learn to relax – e.g. Use pranayama or other breathing techniques, meditation, yoga exercises, massages, etc.

44. EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING • Be positive – don’t put yourself down, challenge negative thoughts that pop into your mind (I’m no good, I can’t do this) with positive ones, remind yourself of past success. • Practice gratitude everyday (beginning from small things) • Don’t identify with the 6 enemies (lust, greed, illusion, envy, anger and pride)

45. EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING • Accept the given situation as it is - Your external situation is as it is. You have to say "yes" to what Krsna has given you. You have to also say "yes" to the weakness which you feel. And then you have to go forward. Forward in a gratitude which comes from acceptance. • Have fun – schedule some ‘time out’ for yourself, pursue your hobbies or interests, spend time with friends – focussing too intensely on something can lead to ‘burnout’.

46. SOCIAL WELL BEING • Cultivate devotee friendships - invest time in those relationships you care about the most. Take time for confidential talks. Share gifts. Avoid criticism • Monitor your stress – recognise your own signs of stress and identify situations you find difficult, so you can be more pro-active about managing stress at these times.

47. SOCIAL WELL BEING • Set goals and priorities – be realistic, focus on how you want to contribute rather than comparison with others, accept that circumstances are outside your control. • Manage your time – avoid procrastination, plan ahead, make a schedule and follow it, evaluate how you are spending your time.

48. YUKTA VAIRAGYA anasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatah nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate prapancikataya buddhya hari-sambandhi-vastunah mumuksubhih parityago vairagyam phalgu kathyate “When one is not attached to anything but at the same time accepts everything in relation to Krsna, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On the other hand, one who rejects everything without knowledge of its relationship to Krsna is not as complete in his renunciation.” BRS 1.2.255-256

49. 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. Srila Prabhupada November 1969, London's Conway Hall

50. To prosecute Krishna Consciousness there is no limitation, no material impediment can stop progress of Krishna Consciousness. That is the symptom of spiritual life. Spiritual life doesn’t depend on material conditions.So it is only the question of understanding the process how to execute Krishna Consciousness.(Srila Prabhupada letter, February 13, 1969)