Balarama carries the plow to take out the dirty stuff in the heart. Prabhupada writes in Krsna Book that the name Balarama means spiritual strength. "Bala means strength, but is means spiritual strength. One cannot attain the supreme platform of self-realization without being sufficiently favored by Balarama. Bala does not mean physical strength. One must have the spiritual strength which is infused by Balarama." So when you think of Balarama, you can remember that He gives spiritual strength so that you can reach Krsna, so that you can serve Krsna. There are things that you like to do or that are helpful for you to do in service to Krsna, but sometimes you don't do them. And there are some things you know are not so good to do, but you still do them. Isn't it?

Srila Prabhupada said that when he read that commentary by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakura on Bhagavad-Gita 2.41 (about making the instructions of the spiritual master one's life and soul), it struck him. He knew, "I can't procrastinate any more. I can't simply say I am not qualified, or I am not ready yet. It doesn't matter. I must do this." In essence, that statement by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakura catapulted Srila Prabhupada across the Atlantic Ocean to America. So powerful is that message! We are deeply indebted to Srila Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakura, and to Srila Prabhupada for receiving that message as his life and soul.

Instructions are meant to be followed, understandings that are given by the spiritual master are to be implemented in one's life, commitments are to be actually applied in one's life, the things that one hears in classes are meant for practical application also – these are all instructions along the same line, which are telling the attentive audience that devotional service is practical, not just a "shmooz time" when talking on spiritual topics. It is meant to be practically implemented, and when one does so, then spiritual progress takes place. That implementation may be problematic, and it may require relinquishing of attachments and patterns of behavior, etc. But instructions are for application, in practical terms. That is my repeated point.

Along with chanting, we have practical services that we do, because we are restless and we can't just chant. So we need practical services to do, and we need to connect those practical services with Krsna. We connect those practical services with Krsna through consciousness of Krsna, dedicating those activities to Krsna. We get that consciousness of Krsna dedication by hearing. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes how to hear effectively. I'm very excited to discuss that topic. I'll summarize it in a simple way. There's a sequence:

Lord Caitanya told Kurma the brahmana that by following the regulative principles and following His instructions, he will never lose Lord Caitanya's company. By abiding by the instructions of someone, you are always with that person. Lord Caitanya or Krsna and Their instructions are non-different. When you carry Their instructions in your heart, They are with you and you will feel it. That's a nice feeling.

Q: "Maharaja, you said that we're here for a very long time. So, even though our nature is marginal, does it mean that when we choose against Krsna it's very difficult to... that we'll stay here forever, or we'll stay here until we happen to meet a devotee? Or is there [a time line set up for us and we just have to follow it]?"

A: "It's variable. It's not etched in stone; [it's not that] we just have to follow our time the bell rings and we go back to the spiritual world. It's a function of consciousness, not a function of a pre-existing plan. The function of consciousness means the instruction is there, and now we have to embrace it. Embracing the instruction of Krsna, so that we can embrace Krsna." .

"When Lord Brahma came to appreciate the quality of Priyavrata, his business was not as a flatterer. 'I want you to do something Priyavrata, therefore I'll flatter you to pieces. Then you'll like me and do what I want.' No. One has to be very careful. The proper etiquette must be there, and the proper social dealings, with the right purpose or interest. If one is deserving some appreciation for their execution or expression of devotion, that should be given, but not as the means of extracting some service. Nor should one avoid it if some criticism or correction is due. 'If I give this correction, then this person who I'm wanting service from may not do it. So better not instruct them.' That's an impure position.

The instruction of the spiritual master binds us to the spiritual master. It’s the link. And, for one who is serious in spiritual life, it becomes one’s life and soul.

Adapted from “The Process of Hearing,” a Vyasa-puja address delivered by His Holiness Romapada Swami in January 2011 in Chicago

One who is a truly learned person is one who has received their knowledge from another perfect source. Although the pages of the scripture are there, it still takes access to those pages of the scripture to come through the bona fide spiritual master. There's a nice analogy found in Jiva Goswami's Sat-Sandarbha. He gives the comparison of fire being started by rubbing together 3 pieces of wood -- an upper, middle, and lower piece of wood. By the rubbing action of the wood, then a fire is ignited. You require these diffferent pieces of wood. Although the wood is there, and fire is in the wood, it doesn't come out of its own. Something has to be brought in contact with it.

Some instructions are universal. One of them, as we know from Bhagavad-Gita, is to control the mind. From whatever and wherever the mind wanders due to it's flickering and unsteady nature, the instruction is to bring the mind back under the control of the self. Another instruction is to chant with undivided attention. Try it. It's an instruction that's meant for every one of us. So, take the instruction as your life and soul, and then what happens? You realize that on your own, you cannot do it. Then, you keep trying. Still, you can't do it. Then you realize that on your effort alone, you can't do it. So, then what do you do?