We may hesitate to adopt authentic scripture-based spirituality because of the fear that we will have to give up too many worldly pleasures. Such fears stem from an unduly negative focus in spiritual life. Let’s see how.
In order to stay away from temptations, many of us use our moral conscience that tells us it is the right thing to do and our philosophical conviction that tells us it is the beneficial thing to do. This moral and philosophical discernment is necessary; without it, self-restraint often becomes an exercise in meaningless and purposeless self-torture. However, discernment is necessary, but not sufficient. With discernment, we recognize self-restraint to be right and beneficial, but don’t experience it to be joyful.
That’s why the Bhagavad-gita (02.61) urges us to complement discernment with engagement. When we engage ourselves in service to Krishna, then spiritual happiness becomes a concrete reality and a living experience. Service to him is not restricted to activities that are externally, directly connected to him. Even our worldly responsibilities can become a service to Krishna if we keep him in our hearts and strive to do those responsibilities as devotional offerings to him. When we start using our devotional creativity to discover in every situation, every event, every activity and every interaction the hidden opportunity to serve Krishna and then say “Yes” to that opportunity, the resulting devotional connection with him through internal remembrance and external service gives us profound spiritual fulfillment. Once we start tasting and valuing this fulfillment, then temptations become exposed as sources of distraction – not gratification. At that stage, saying “No” to them becomes not just right and beneficial, but also joyful.
Thus, the best way to say “No” to temptations is to say “Yes” to Krishna.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 02 Text 61
“One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence.”
Thank you very much Prabhuji.
Finally, the secret hiding place of this
” higher taste” is revealed! Hare Krishna🙏🙏
This is the hidden, easiest & happiest way to manage temptation!
Hariharibol🙏🙏🙏🙏