Friday, November 19, 2010

Radhanath Swami on Handling Setbacks

Being a devotee is not about externals only. It is not about attendance in the temple. It is not about the kind of beads one wears around one's neck or the kind of clothes one puts on. That is not all. What is important is the character of a true devotee. Even when great difficulties, impediments, setbacks, disturbances or intrusions arise, a true devotee welcomes them with folded palms and a grateful heart. He believes that actually he deserves worse and this is only a token by God. He also believes that if he simply carries on with his devotional service patiently and takes shelter of the Lord in that situation, that is his greatest fortune.

38 comments:

  1. amazing para..Radhanath Swami is so nicely describing how we should be focusing on character and not the externals.

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  2. Advancement in spiritual life gives strength to face challenges. Thank you Radhanath swami

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  3. The true test of a devotee is in tough times. Radhanath Swami prepares his students to be able to stand the test.

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  4. thanks for reminding about greatest fortune

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  5. It melts my heart to read this.
    Thank-you Maharaj!

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  6. This is the true test of our Faith in the Lord.

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  7. Everything we have is a gift from Krishna. This includes difficulties, setbacks etc. With this understanding it becomes very easy to overcome these difficulties or setbacks.

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  8. A novel and transcendental understanding of what's the greatest fortune.... simply revolutionary.

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  9. True test of devottes is done only during difficult situation, Thanks Maharaj for reminding us the characteristics of true devotees

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  10. Radhanath swami reveals the secrete for progress in spirituality. If we have faith in Radhanath Swami's words then mercy of Krishna is sure to come.

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  11. In all the setbacks Radhanath Swami has faced, his unimpeachable character shines through. That is why he can speak these words so powerfully.

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  12. Eye opening statement. thank you so much for sharing.

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  13. Thank you Radhanath Swami for enlightening the importance of Character of a true devotee.

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  14. Being a devotee does not mean only externals but it has to do mostly with the internals. Lord Krishna also stresses the same point in Bhagavad Gita which Radhanath Swami has captured here.

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  15. Radhanath Swami very nicely explains that real humility brings a grateful heart. Otherwise, we tend to take things for granted and become complacent, ungrateful, greedy etc.

    Real humility only comes from understanding our true position as Radhanath Swami explained.

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  16. thank you very much maharaj

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  17. Radhanath Swami has so kindly reminded me of what I need to do today :)

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  18. I wish I could become that true devotee one day without getting effected by the world around me.

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  19. Thankyou Radhanath Swami for teaching us this important lesson of patiently acpeting every situation as the mercy fo the Lord.

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  20. Thank you very much for sharing the words "If one believes that if he simply carries on with his devotional service patiently and takes shelter of the Lord in that situation, that is his greatest fortune"

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  21. Its an amazing consciousness to be a real devotee! Radhanath Swami inspires us to be one :-)

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  22. Wonderful message by Radhanath swami

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  23. Very beautiful and important lesson!
    HH Radhanath Swami is always focused on the essence and not just the externals. The essence of a devotee during setbacks is his complete dependence on God and being grateful to God for giving such a small token of punishment. And the greatest fortune is to carry on ones devotional service inspite of tough situations - Real test of a devotee! Thank you Maharaj for enlightening us on this very important subject matter.

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  24. Thank you Radhanath Swami for these useful words of wisdom.

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  25. Important aspect in the Character of a true devotee

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  26. Many times we get lost in the superficials of being a devotee. Thank Radhanath Swami for again and again reminding us what actually being a devotee means.

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  27. True spirituality is about focusing on improving us from within.

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  28. This is very difficult to accept the bad situations that take place in our lives, but if we can withstand those averse situations, we can progress in the path of devotional service. Radhanath Swami has tried to put forth this point.

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  29. Thanks to Radhanath swami for an inspiring article.

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  30. One time Radhanath Swami Maharaj mentioned that "Once greatness can be estimated by the ability to tolerate provoking situation". What a deep subject matter!

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  31. Amazing article.....Swamiji alsways emphasises on inner strength then external service.....

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  32. H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai

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  33. Radhanath Swami gives the ideal standard that a devotee must follow - never give up your Krishna consciousness in any circumstance.

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  34. Surrender is the turning point to lead a real, eternal, blissful life. Radhanath Swami nicely explaing this point of surrender. All glories to Radhanath Swami.

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  35. Maharaj is very right in saying that due to Krishna's causeless mercy what we suffer is nothing compared to what we deserve.This attitude will help one to remain grateful to the Lord irrespective of circumstances.Thank you Maharaj for this profound wisdom.

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