The various rituals that are a part of spiritual life – chanting, praying, worshipping and meditating – are opportunities for us to spend time with Krishna. If we forget or neglect this core purpose of the rituals, then they become hollow shells; their performance becomes a boredom and a burden that brings little spiritual purification or enlivenment. Worse still, the Bhagavad-gita (03.06) warns that they can degenerate into exercises not only in futility, but also in hypocrisy – especially when the external engagement in spirituality is belied by an internal obsession with non-spiritual or even anti-spiritual indulgences.

But if we infuse our performance of spiritual activities with the quality of devotion, with the sincere intention to love and serve Krishna, then they become precious opportunities to bask in his sublime presence, to let our troubled minds be reassured and pacified by the healing stillness of his presence, to let our hearts be illumined and kindled by the resplendent power of his presence. When we start experiencing that potent presence, then the time that we spend with Krishna becomes the most eagerly awaited period of our schedule, the most cherished part of our day, the foremost divine passion of our life.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 03, Text 06

“One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.”