Stages in Krishna Consciousness: Attachment to the Lord

Q. As a householder we do not have to give up our job, but change our consciousness in doing it. One way of doing it is to donate a portion of the income coming from the job for Lord Shri Krishna's service and use the rest to maintain and raise the family in Krishna consciousness.

Q. I am trying to be more conscious about my daily activities and thoughts so that they are centered on Krishna, but it is not easy. I find myself thinking or daydreaming about how I can enjoy separate from Krishna. When I bring my thoughts back to Krishna my mind feels so much clearer. How can I keep my thoughts on the right track?

I really want to clean out my mind. I feel like there is so much garbage cluttered there from the past few years. Sometimes it is really overwhelming. I want to focus on Krishna and not on sense gratification but that desire sense gratification keeps creeping back! Please describe a practical way that I can control my mind and be a better devotee.

Bhagavad-gita Chapter 12.8-12 offers us a sequence of elevation to perfection. The Yoga Ladder similarly offers us such a sequence.

Q. 1. How do these two descriptions compare?

Q. 2. It seems that there is a discrepancy between the two lists regarding where in sequence one places karma-yoga. Can you explain?

Different things, Krsna consciousness included, can be viewed from different angles. Depending on the angle of viewing something, descriptions may differ even of the same object.

Q. 1. I have a confusion regarding whether bhakti can be spread freely among masses. Although Srila Prabhupada demonstrated practically, my doubt relates to observing the lives of simple minded villagers in the dham, who have a simple living and great dependency on guru and Lord. It is practically not possible for me to live such a simple, spiritual life (due to present obligations).

Q. I need guidance regarding attending family get togethers. My husband's side of the family is not at all Krishna conscious.  Is due to my weakness that I don't want to associate w/ their materialistic activities w/o Krishna in the center? Especially when there's a major festival such as the annual Rathyatra. I have to miss because I have to attend a high school graduation party for my husband's brother's son. They want me to be there.  But my heart will be somewhere else. Is this also offense?

I am an optician and I sell spectacles. Srila Prabhupada mentions in almost all of his lectures that you should think of Krishna 24 hours. Since I am a businessman, I need to think about my business; therefore how do I follow Srila Prabhupada's instructions?

Q. I have come to understand that in engaging oneself in spiritual life, one has to undergo a whole process of testing. This happens because Krishna is testing the devotee if he is ready for the spiritual world or not. What if one is scared of engaging oneself in spiritual life because of the fear that one will undergo an extreme testing phase? How would you encourage such a person to not lose hope and continue engaging oneself in spiritual life?