Guru Disciple Relationship: Mood of Service

Q. Is it acceptable to desire recognition from the spiritual master or is it inappropriate and a version of materially seeking distinction?

Q. When one is not in the proximate physical presence of one's guru, how does one take necessary help for eliminating the obstacles on the path of sadhana?

Q. How should we understand that ultimately we are not the doer of our activity? How to keep this understanding always and work, because many times when we work we often get carried away thinking that actually I'm the doer (and it appears to be so)?

With some introspection, guided by spiritual intelligence from Bhagavad-Gita, we can recognize that we are not the ultimate doer. We discussed this in a previous digest (Digest78):

Q. During one of our recent discussions in our study group there was a discussion on siddha svarup.

One of the devotees said that the spiritual master would reveal one's svarup at some point of time when such a disciple has reached such a stage. My humble opinion is that such a practice is not there in ISKCON and as and when a devotee reaches such a stage of advancement it will be known to him naturally.

Can I humbly request you to kindly clarify this?

Q. Why did Arjuna, a great devotee of the Lord approach Lord Indra a demigod for help? Does this not contradict the teachings of Srila Prabhupada that intelligent men worship only Krishna?

Q. The word 'sannyasi' means one in the renounced order of life, which also means being away from homely comforts. But how is that some sannyasis [gurus] hold administrative positions and material assets [fixed and liquid], accept material gifts and tend to lead an opulent life style [taking very opulent prasadam, jet traveling, doing shopping during foreign trips etc.] Is it that if one is spending 24 hours of his time in Krishna consciousness, he is exempted from the above rules?

Q. I have heard that in Krishna consciousness it is bad to be in contact with non-devotees. But I am a student who stays in a hostel. So what can I do to avoid contamination of mind when I have to live with non-devotees even though I am an initiated devotee.

Q. What is kama, krodha, lobha, madha? What should one, who is too kami (lustful), do to get rid of all those sins? How can one be purified after of all the sins accrued by just living in this world and family life? In Bhagavad-Gita Krishna says "come to Me and I will release you from all sins." How do we do this? By chanting or is there some other way?

Q. I specifically do not ask questions in public assemblies. I have a tendency to want appreciation from others and it makes me feel very proud. I have noticed that when   ask questions in the class many devotees come later and tell me that I asked a very nice question and how they felt very benefitted. It makes me very proud and while I  am working towards being in a mood of service I felt that this time let me ask you privately so I can curb this tendency. Can you please comment whether this is a correct way of thinking?

It is better for you ask questions publically when the circumstance is available, for the following reasons -

Q. When one has a goal of becoming a mature sadhaka in Krishna Consciousness, what exactly should we think of?

Here are some preliminary thoughts on this wonderful question. In addition to keeping your devotional practices intact with fixed regularity, here are some specific qualities that a mature devotee will exhibit.