Living Krishna Consciousness in the Modern World
"And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt."(Bhagavad Gita 8.5)
And in order to remember Krishna at the time of death one needs to to have a consistent practice and devotion while they are alive. To achieve this, one must cultivate Krishna consciousness diligently. By consistently cultivating this deep connection with Krishna, anyone can train their mind and heart to naturally turn to Him, especially during life’s final moments. This consistent practice ensures that at the time of death, one's thoughts are fixed on Krishna, leading them to liberation and eternal peace.
"Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kuntī, that state he will attain without fail.."(Bhagavad Gita 8.6)
The founder of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, and all of the other great spiritual teachers, have always stressed the importance of practicing Krishna Consciousness and serving Lord Krishna with devotion. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s natural to wonder how one can consistently practice Krishna Consciousness amidst countless responsibilities. The truth is, while spiritual seekers of the past meditated in caves and remote places, modern life doesn’t always allow such practices. But the good news is that you don't have to feel disheartened if you can’t dedicate as much time as regular temple-goers or those living in temples. It is possible to use some simple, practical ways to keep your consciousness focused on Krishna, even while you're busy with daily life. I am going to suggest some easy hacks to keep your mind "Krishnized" while managing your everyday duties of material life.“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bhagavad-gītā :2.40)
Following are some practical useful tips useful for those who have a super busy life with a huge number of worldly responsibilities like, labor class people, people with corporate jobs, businessmen, new moms, people with illness or some disability and people in other similar challenging circumstances:-
1. Chant the Holy Name
The most important and foundational principle of Krishna Consciousness is the practice of chanting the holy name of Krishna.
"If a man calls out the name of the Lord even in his dream it destroys all his sins. Then what doubt is there that the sins will be removed when the name of Janardana is openly repeated?"( Garuda purana.1.228.13)
"“The best and highest form of worship of Śrī Madana-gopāla’s lotus feet is that which is predominated by nāma-saṅkīrtana. When the chanting of the holy names of the Lord is executed with loving dedication, it grants a result beyond all expectations."(Brihad Bhagavatamrita.2.1.104)
“ In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”(Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya Leela 6.242)
Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, and William Forde Thompson found in their study done in 2022, that people who practice various styles of chanting often report mystical experiences to different degrees. Their research shows that chanting, whether done silently or out loud, alone or in a group, is a reliable way to achieve profound altered states of consciousness characterized by profound peace, cognitive improvements, and enhanced overall quality of life. Different styles of chanting offer distinct advantages, with some promoting consciousness shifts and others boosting cognitive function, suggesting its potential for targeted psychological outcomes.
2. Try to offer everything to Krishna (if possible) before eating.
If not possible to offer everything in your case have some prasadam every day. You can also keep some offered dry prasadam like dry Tulsi leaves, rice from Jagannath puri, or any other dry foodstuff offered by you or someone. You can mix it with everything you eat.
“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.”(Bhagavad-gītā 9.26)
While having prasadam think of the spiritual changes that it would have gone through because of its contact with Krishna and feel blessed while having it. Thank Krishna, for not every living entity is blessed to have such transcendental food. Studies suggest that practicing mindful eating can significantly enhance psychological well-being also.
“The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.” (Bhagavad-gītā.3.13)
3. Play Bhajans or Kirtans while cooking and completely absorb yourself in them.
If you listen to bhajans and kirtans while cooking, you can completely absorb yourself in Krishna, your consciousness becomes Krishnised and this Krishnised conscious gets transferred to the Bhoga you are cooking and benefits everyone who eats it after being offered and Krishna also accepts it lovingly.
“ Simply by receiving the glories of the Lord through purified transcendental ears, the devotees of the Lord are immediately freed from strong material desires and engagement in fruitive activities.” (Srimad bhagavatam.9.24.62)
4. Do practice expressing gratitude to Krishna every time something nice happens to you.
No matter how small it is. It may be a nice prasadam, nice weather, help from a friend, escaping an accident, a good night's sleep, your happy kid's, your spouse's success, a loved one's good health and so on.
"Most humbly we bow to You, O Supreme Lord. At Your command moves the mighty wheel of time. You are eternal, and beyond eternity." (Artharva Veda)
One should also learn to practice gratitude to other entities. The best is to do physically to the doer, if not possible physically then at least mentally. It makes us humble and thus eligible for surrendering to Krishna.
"The one who loves all intensely begins perceiving in all living beings a part of himself. He becomes a lover of all, a part and parcel of the Universal Joy. He flows with the stream of happiness, and is enriched by each soul." (Yajur Veda)
5. Keep pictures of Lord Krishna at your workstation (office, kitchen, shop) in a very respectful way.
Keep it clean. Pray and seek blessings before you start your designated work. If you forget at the beginning, do it whenever you remember. This picture will also remind you of the "Gratitude Thing" whenever you achieve something good or escape something bad. When something bad happens you will not feel alone. It is described in details in the verses of the chapter 28 of canto-3 of Srimad bhagavatam that a devotee who meditates on the charming beauty of Krishna's body parts achieves tranquility and love for him.
"Seeing the image of the Lord grants liberation from sins, touching His feet removes karmic reactions, remembering Him fulfills all desires, and meditating upon Him leads to liberation.”(Garuḍa Purāṇa 1.222.2)
“Seeing the form of Krishna destroys sins, touching His feet frees one from karmic reactions, and remembering His name restores one's memory of the soul's eternal position.”Padma Purāṇa (Pātāla-khaṇḍa 75.57)
“To show causeless mercy to the devotees who would take birth in the future in this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, acted in such a way that simply by remembering Him one will be freed from all the lamentation and unhappiness of material existence.” (Śrimad Bhagavatam. 9.24.61)
6. Be careful about what you eat, read, hear, talk, watch, wear, associate with, and so on, as much as you can.
As someone said it rightly, "We become what we eat".Material nature consists of the three modes, goodness, passion, and ignorance. When the living entity comes in contact with nature, he becomes conditioned by these modes and the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge.” The mode of goodness makes us wiser than others and enriches us with material knowledge. This knowledge makes us feel superior and conditions us to believe the illusion that life is pleasant. Srila Prabhupada says that as long as we are attracted to working in this mode, we have to take some type of body under the modes of nature and remain bound to the material world and repeated birth and death. when the embodied being can transcend these three modes, he can become free from birth, death, old age, and distresses and enjoy nectar even in this life.
“From the mode of goodness, real knowledge develops; from the mode of passion, greed develops; and from the mode of ignorance develop foolishness, madness and illusion.” (Bhagavad-gītā 14.17)
In Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, the Divisions of Faith are explained in detail, outlining the choices one can make to remain in the mode of goodness. This state is considered the best for progressing beyond the three modes of material nature and advancing to the next stage of spiritual growth.
7. Read something about Krishna everyday
Incorporating the practice of reading about Krishna into your daily routine can be deeply enriching. Each day, take a few moments to explore Krishna's life, teachings, and divine pastimes through sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam. This daily habit not only deepens your understanding of his wisdom but also brings a sense of peace and purpose to your life. By consistently reading about Krishna, you nurture your spiritual growth, strengthen your devotion, and keep your mind focused on higher truths amidst life’s challenges. It's a simple yet powerful way to stay connected to Krishna's divine presence.
"Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness." (Srimad Bhagavatam (1.7.7)
“As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.”(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.2)
“Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.17)
8. Serve Tulasi Maharani
Worshiping Tulasi (Basil) brings numerous spiritual and worldly benefits as mentioned in details in several verses of Chapter 8 of the Reva Khand of Skanda Purana. It purifies sins and offers protection from negative forces, especially when offered to Lord Vishnu with devotion. A house with Tulasi becomes sacred, and its presence wards off Yama, the god of death. Tulasi, beloved by Lord Vishnu and the Devas, is linked to immortality and prosperity, originating from the nectar churned by the gods. Regular worship ensures spiritual growth, healing, and protection, while promoting physical well-being and divine blessings.
9. Observe Ekadashi fast
Lord Vishnu explained the importance of observing the Ekadashi fast to Yudhishthira, emphasizing that those who are sincerely devoted should follow this practice to cleanse their soul and achieve salvation (Moksha). One can fast on ekadashi as per their health conditions and age and get its immense spiritual benefits. Those observing this fast should avoid acts of violence, dishonesty, and falsehood while engaging in acts of kindness and charity and recite the Vishnu mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.”
"Fasting on Ekadasi days (eleventh day) in both halves of the month shall be observed. It removes sins and wards off hell - nay it enables one to attain Vishnuloka and gives everything desired." ( Garuda Purana 1.123.11)
Spiritual benefits of fasting have also been well established in the field of science. It was observed in 2023, in a study conducted on 200 young adult students (aged 19–30), that there were significant improvements in their mental clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual well-being after the fasting period.
However it should be noted that it's crucial for pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with health issues and old people to consult healthcare providers before considering fasting.
9. Be a good human and engage in acts of kindness
Last but not the least, avoid immoral actions at all and focus your precious time and energy on your prescribed duties and serving the divine. Offer your time, resources, or skills selflessly to others, dedicating these acts of kindness to Krishna. Whether helping a friend in need or feeding stray animals, do it as a service to Krishna.
"Acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance are not to be given up but should be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity, and penance purify even the great souls."
(Bhagavad Gita 18.5)
"But even these activities should be performed without attachment and expectation of results. They should be done as a matter of duty. That is My final opinion."
(Bhagavad Gita 18.6)
"Prescribed duties should never be renounced. If one gives up his prescribed duties because of illusion, such renunciation is said to be in the mode of ignorance." (Bhagavad Gita 18.7)
No amount of time and energy spent on the lord's services are "too much" but we all have some limitations because of material conditions and worldly responsibilities. We must try our best to do "our best" in given circumstances at every given instance of time to serve the Lord while balancing our other prescribed duties and becoming Krishna conscious, which is the main and the topmost purpose of this human form life.
There is no greater blessing than inviting Krishna into your heart and home, allowing his sacred presence to fill your life with love and grace. When you open yourself to His teachings and let His divine consciousness influence your daily life, you will begin to feel a deep transformation. Your thoughts, actions, and decisions will become aligned with peace and purity, helping you live by higher values that nourish your soul.
Krishna Consciousness is not about perfection but about consistent effort and sincere devotion. Even small steps toward remembering Krishna can lead to profound spiritual transformation.This devotion is not just a practice but it’s a journey of healing and connection that brings fulfillment and purpose. Embracing this path allows you to experience true joy and peace, with strength and clarity in every step you take.
May your journey toward Krishna Consciousness be filled with joy, peace, and divine blessings!
Hare Krishna 🙏
Asht Sakhi Vrind Devi Dasi
(Annu Pandey)
Resources:
- Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
- Gita Press Gorakhpur
- Internet Sacred Text Archive
- ISKCON Desire Tree
- Wisdom Library
- Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma
- The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain
- The experiments of Masaru Emoto with emotional imprinting of water
- How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life
- The Chaplaincy Institute
- Anuradha Sridharan
- The Hidden Messages in Water
- AYURVEDA THE SCIENCE OF SELF-H
- The Electricity of Touch
- The True Power Of Water: Healing and Discovering Ourselves
- Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition): Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness
- Garuda Purana
- ISKCON Pune
- A PRE AND POST ANALYSIS: A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF FASTING ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH, SPIRITUAL WELLBEING AND AGGRESSION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF PESHAWAR
- Harvard T.H. Chan
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