How to deal with Inconsistency in devotion because of temptations?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna prabhuji, I want to seek your guidance on how to deal with the inconsistency in devotion to Krishna and how to get rid of the temptations of this world.
I am currently practising devotion to Krishna as much possible and also striving to lead a virtuous life by maintaining discipline. But the temptations of this world constantly irritates my mind. Astrologically, I have strong influence of planet Venus as atmakaraka and also in numbers. I don’t want to get engrossed in material life, please advise me how to handle temptations of this world and avoid attraction to material things like opposite sex etc. I hope you would offer me suitable solution. Thank you”
REPLY:
The devotional life starts with the fight between the senses and Krishna.
Temptations of the senses are natural when we try to divert them from maya to Krishna.
When we clean the house, more dusts will go up and get filled all over the room.
(Is Liberation without Stopping Sense Gratification Possible? READ HERE!)
More cleaning – more dusts.
When you take sincere efforts to engage your mind in the thoughts of Krishna, the mind may get agitated initially.
“Initially” means till you get sufficient association of devotees and advance in devotion.
This INITIAL period may extend even for a decade or two.
For some others, this Initial Period may even go throughout their life.
For some others, this Initial Period lasts just a few months.
All depends on one’s level of concentration and dedication to follow devotion.
So, we have to understand that Love for Krishna and Love for material comforts will coexist till one attains spiritual maturity or advancement.
In the advanced or matured stage, a devotee would have been convinced that this material life is full of miseries and temporary.
He will be able to see others as athma and the parts of Krishna.
So, they will be able to see Krishna in everything and everyone.
Till we attain that stage, we have to be satisfied with the current state of having attached to both Krishna and materials.
(Is Sense Gratification without getting children possible for devotees? READ HERE!)
Advancement or maturity will take less or more time depending on the level of devotee association, Quality & Quantity of Chanting, taking only Prasadam, the level of trust on Krishna, etc.
The most important need for faster advancement in devotion neglecting the sense temptations is to take as much devotee association as possible.
When we remain in the devotee association more, we get less attack from maya.
In due course of time, the sense temptations will come down and finally, the senses would have come under control.
We should always remain engaged in some kind of devotional sadhanas or reading the books related to devotion and also take as much devotee association as possible.
This will definitely reduce the sense temptations.
(Controlling Senses Mind & False Ego using Intelligence given by Krishna! READ HERE!)
If you still have some sense temptations, review and get married to a devotee at the earliest and practice devotion along with the spouse.
A devotee should always remain engaged in the thoughts or activities related to Krishna. He/ she should not remain alone or lazy or dormant without doing any activities.
Idle mind is devils workshop. So, always be engaged in the career activities and devotional activities and sleep alternatively.
If you get any spare time, don’t be idle. Take a book on Krishna and read; Or, chant a few rounds; Or, visit the nearest Krishna temple;
Such combined efforts will check your sense temptations and help to focus in devotion. This will avoid the Inconsistency in devotion because of temptations.
(Sense Disturbances while following Devotion. What to do? READ HERE!)