Q. According to Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva we are qualitatively one but quantitatively different. At the same time we say Lord Krishna has 64 qualities, Lord Narayana has 60 qualities and Jivas have 55. These two statements seems to be contradictory. If we are qualitatively one, why we don’t we have 64 qualities?

These 64 "qualities" are not the qualities that are being referred to in acintya bhedabheda tattva. The qualities being referred to are knowledge and bliss from the sat cit ananda features of both the soul and Krishna.

These 64 "qualities" are quite different, in that they are His personal characteristics.

Q. 1. Since free will is operating with every soul's choices, how is Paramatma's guidance operative in relationship to this free will?

Q. 2. Another dimension is this: Sri Isopanisad says every other choice other than Krishna's will, is degrading. So how can we exercise a free will choice that is within the realm of non-maya, or the spiritual realm -- that may not be a predetermined choice?

Q. Does Krishna have a very specific plan for each living entity, and deviating from this plan causes one to be in maya?  I'm wondering mainly whether it's a very specific plan, all mapped out, with every other path being maya, and we do best by trying to discern it and adhere to it, or are there a few options?

Q. What is the gait/qualities of true humbleness in a devotee? I am told to be careful not to be pretending to be humble, but be truly humble. (I am told) not to act until then but to be myself. I struggle with this because unless I start being humble in my mind and action how can I really achieve true humbleness?

Is my behavior/attempt to learn to be humble a pretension? How would one cultivate the true nature of being humble at heart?

Q. From the beginning on, I have been completely unable to fit in with the devotees. The major issue seems to be my lack of faith or confidence in the process, and the devotees do not seem to tolerate that. For the most part at the nama-hatta, nobody speaks to me at all, and if they do, it is usually in a patronizing, condescending tone. Unless I initiate a conversation, barely anyone ever talks to me. I therefore feel like I am merely an impostor and that they would rather see I wouldn't be there at all.

Q. My daughter who is in 9th grade has fear of exams. As her mother, how can I help her relax?

The best and most long-lasting help you can give your daughter is to help create a God-centered loving atmosphere at home which is founded on a lifestyle in the mode-of-goodness (sattva guna). This will not only address her fear of exams, but help her form strong character that will enable her to face any situation in life.

Q. I have always appreciated the morality in the four regulative principles, but I have not always kept them. I like the scriptures and I like studying them. I like the idea of chanting and devotional service. But for me, the chanting itself is often an absurd exercise in futility. Some days, I chant 16 rounds, some days none.

I like the idea of offering food before eating it. But for me, when I do it, it usually feels like a silly game, as if I would be playing with a children's toy tea set. I don't mean to be disrespectful when I am saying this, this is just how it feels for me.

Q. I have taken to Krishna consciousness as a last resort. I have looked into many religions and philosophies, but was not happy with any of them. Nor am I happy here, my spiritual practice seems simply like yet another source of misery. But I am afraid I have nowhere else to go, no other religion or philosophy that would seem worthy enough to me to even just give it a try. After distancing myself from Buddhism, I have come up with a list of criteria of what "my ideal religion" would be like, and Gaudiya Vaishnavism seems to fit best. Am I aiming too high, should I try to settle for a lesser religious philosophy?

Q. From the beginning, I have been completely unable to fit in with the devotees. The major issue seems to be my lack of faith or confidence in the process, and the devotees do not seem to tolerate that. For the most part at the nama-hatta, nobody speaks to me at all, and if they do, it is usually in a patronizing, condescending tone.

The things I cannot relate to are:
1. The confidence with which the devotees speak about Krishna and the devotional process;
2. The clothing;
3. The expectation that I am supposed to unconditionally trust and believe everyone who is senior/superior to me, in every matter;

Q. With a strong ambition to take up responsibility on behalf of the mission of Srila Prabhupada, upon consultation with a spiritual authority I have chosen higher studies as a medium. For the past two years I've been trying to make it to a top MBA college and everything is failing in the last round. I've picked up myself when I have failed and with hope after hope I've been trying.

I've been married recently and my husband is very co-operative and encouraging and is himself a wonderful devotee.

With my tiny and impure intelligence I'm unable to understand what is Krsna's plan. My thwarted ambitions have left me demotivated with deteriorating sadhana. Kindly help.