Bhakti Tirtha Swami
Nowadays, people begin to think that they need convenience rather than love—just marry someone who will take care of you. However, if a person puts God in the center, he or she will look for a partner who will assist in their spiritual evolution. You want to find a partner who will help you advance spiritually. If that type of relationship does not manifest, you have to realize that you do not have the right connection.
Reference: Spiritual Warrior VI: Beyond Fanaticism, Terrorism, and War – Discover the Peace Solution, Chapter 9
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
People who always position themselves as the victim will never grow. They always think that other people are hurting them in some way. Although it could be a reality, if they anticipate and look for it, they will just create that around them to an even greater extent. They will begin to chant the same mantra in their minds, “Somebody didn’t treat me right, someone didn’t look at me right, someone didn’t address me right, someone didn’t take care of me properly, someone used me improperly…” Consequently, a person who always sees him or herself as the victim becomes the perpetual victim because violence brings more violence.
Reference: Spiritual Warrior VI: Beyond Fanaticism, Terrorism, and War – Discover the Peace Solution, Closing Reflections
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
Our duty as spiritual warriors is not to engage in conventional physical warfare, but to attack the violence by waging peace and compassion. Yes, we are called to war and each day we have to determine what we have done on the battlefield. Did we act as cowards by hiding and allowing others to fight the battle? Did we stand by and watch millions and even billions get wounded and meet total devastation? The spiritual warriors’ ranks are increasing, but not fast enough. Let us increase our influence on this planet.
Reference: Spiritual Warrior VI: Beyond Fanaticism, Terrorism, and War – Discover the Peace Solution, Closing Reflections
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
Nobody can see Krishna, who is both omniscient and omnipotent, with mundane vision. Our eyes must first be opened with the torchlight of knowledge. Wherever bona fide knowledge is cultivated, the darkness of nescience is banished. It is not difficult for the Supreme Lord to arrange for someone who loves Him to see Him, and also to take His association.
Reference: Reflections on Sacred Teachings, Volume Four: Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 3
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
The true spiritualist profoundly appreciates my mother’s statement, “Give me my flowers while I can see them.” Once the body is gone, the soul departs for its new encounter; therefore, it is important to say and do whatever is best for everyone now! Where we have made offenses, we must stop and ask for forgiveness now! While we have people to meet, places to visit, and experiences to have, we must put first things first, understanding the differences between what is temporary and what is eternal now! We must allow every day of our lives to represent healthy closure now!
Reference: The Beggar IV: Die Before Dying, Meditation 10 – Die Before Dying
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
People have many myths about anger that cause them to categorize the issue in a certain way. For instance, some people consider anger to be biological or hereditary, but this myth does not have any solid foundation. Although some people are more prone to anger due to their psychophysical make-up or emersion in the modes of passion and ignorance, their socialization or quality of association will have a greater impact on their reactions. Although we do bring forth other infl uences into a situation such as our karma, which affects the ways in which we respond to specifi c situations, it is a myth that anger is biological and a permanent, unchangeable aspect of the body.
Reference: Spiritual Warrior IV: Conquering the Enemies of the Mind, Chapter 3
Mahatma Prabhu
Satisfaction is not complacency. Satisfaction is acceptance of who you are.
Mahatma Prabhu
Everyone has a spark of desire for service to Krishna burning somewhere in the depths of their heart. Our service is to fan that spark into a flame and then into a fire.
Mahatma Prabhu
As you become more Krsna conscious, your association will leave footprints in people’s hearts – and thus these people will never be the same. The feelings they experience in your presence, and the effect your association has on them, will never be forgotten. In this sense, sharing devotional service with others often means to carve our names in people’s hearts.
Mahatma Prabhu
You will never stay low if your thoughts are high and never stay high if your thoughts are low. Always remember that you can decide what you want to think about and that you will never rise higher than your highest thoughts.
