JKP Radha Madhav Dham

Watch full video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/vrishbhanu-lali-gun-gaiye-december

A fully surendered devotee says with absolute faith, “O my beloved Radhey, You are the only one Who is mine and I am also Yours!"

O Radhey, without Your Grace I cannot achieve my goal (of receiving Your Divine love)!

O Radhey, please just look at me with a glance of Your causeless Grace.

O Radhey, there is no end to Your limitless Grace!.

O Radhey, Your body, mind and soul is all-Gracious.

O Radhey, You are the personified form of Grace!”

Live recorded kirtan during Winter Family Camp 2024 from Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple of JKP Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, TX.

Song Credits:

Song - Tu hi meri main bhi teri meri pyȧri Radhey (तू ही मेरी मैं भी तेरी मेरी प्यारी राधे।)

Singer - Rishina Didi

Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Lyrics Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video and read transcript at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/q-and-a-with-swami-nikhilanand

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video and read transcript at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/infinite-happiness-is-synonymous

Despite worldly distractions, our deepest desire is for Divine bliss. The Vedas and scriptures affirm that our search for happiness is truly a search for God. As a spark of Divinity, we long for reunion with our Source.

The answer is clear—Yes, we need God! True fulfillment lies in this eternal connection.

Join us to explore this profound wisdom.

Please watch the video or read the transcript to fully grasp the essence of the discourse.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video and read transcript at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/the-pran-jeevan-of-sadhana

Discover the power of unwavering faith in Shri Krishna through teachings from the Kathopanishad and Bhagwatam. Learn how surrendering to Krishna removes ignorance, eliminates karmic bondage, and leads to divine realization. Explore two powerful practices—Roopdhyan meditation and frequent mindful remembrance—to strengthen your connection with Krishna and experience His eternal presence. Unlock spiritual enlightenment and inner peace through the transformative power of devotion. #Spirituality #KrishnaBhakti #DivineRealization

Please watch the video to fully grasp the essence of the discourse

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/shri-radhey-hamari-sarkar-phikir

Shri Radhey Rani is my protector, then why should I worry about anything in this world?

She descends in our world only to redeem the fallen souls, and She causelessly loves the humble and the destitute.

When my Queen is such an abode of mercy, why should I worry about anything in this world?

My Radha Rani cannot bear the desperate cry of a surrendered soul. She immediately runs to him, forgetting even Her Beloved Shyamsundar.

When She is so kind-hearted, simple and loving, why should I worry about anything in the world?

Even the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna anxiously watches the movement of Her eyebrows, in fear of having displeased Her. Who else should I be afraid of having surrendered to Her?

When such a Supreme Personality is my protector, then why should I worry about anything in the world?

If one cries desperately to Her and accepts Her to be his protector, My Radha Rani keeps him always under the shadow of Her eye like a mother does her beloved son.

Says Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj, “I am under the care of such a gracious protector. Why should I worry about anything in the world?”

Live recorded kirtan during the Winter Family Camp 2022 from Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple of JKP Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, TX.

Song Credits:

Song - Shri Radhey hamari sarkar, fikir mohin kahe ki श्री राधे हमारी सरकार, फिकिर मोहिं काहे की।

Singer - Chirag bhaiya

Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Lyrics Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

JKP Radha Madhav Dham podcast is available on various podcast apps, allowing you to listen to kirtans and lectures on demand. Downloaded podcast episodes can be accessed offline without needing a data connection.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/the-power-of-simply-believing

The Divine souls!

Kathopanishad tells us the power of simply believing in God:

अस्तीत्येवोपलब्धव्यस्तत्त्वभावेन चोभयोः । अस्तीत्येवोपलब्धस्य तत्त्वभावः प्रसीदति ॥ १३॥astītyevopalabdha vyastattvabhāvena cobhayoḥ. astītyevopalabdhasya tattvabhāvaḥ prasīdati.

- Kathopanishad: 2.3.13

If somebody really believes, “Shri Krishna is here right now in front of me!” (It) really means 100%, then they actually will see Him. He will become visible or make Himself visible to us. He's already present because He's omnipresent. He pervades every particle, and that too not only as a formless emanation or formless Divine light, but in His personal form. “Yadyapisakāro yam tathaik deshi,” Shankaracharya Ji also says, “even during Your avatar, You come and You're seen at one place in Your Divine body, but You're still everywhere else in Your same Divine body.” So imagine, Shri Krishna is everywhere with His Divine body, and the one who fully accepts and believes that,

भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशया: । क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणिbhidyate hṛidaya-granthiśchidyante sarv-saṁśhayāḥ. kṣīyante chāsya karmāṇi.

- Bhagwatam

The moment you believe that, you see Krishna face to face and then all the other bondages are finished.

The knot of mayic ignorance in the heart, hṛidaya-granthiśhchidyante. We forget we're a Divine being. We start thinking we're this temporary material body. All mayic things are temporary. They all degrade from the time they come into being. They begin eroding, aging, and eventually, they fade and finish altogether, whether it's our body or whether it's a physical building, even a mountain. Any shape or structure that is created or comes into being in this world has an expiration date. And from the time it's created, it's always deteriorating. Every sweet meeting ends in separation because everything is temporary in this world, and everything that is born must die. But the soul doesn't die. We forget that. We forget that we're a Divine soul. We have a knot of Mayic ignorance that leads to all other kinds of mistakes.

If we believe we're this temporary Mayic body, then we also believe that the temporary pleasures of the Mayic world can make us happy, which they never completely do. Then we only think about them. We get attached to them. We perform all kinds of actions to attain those pleasures, selfish, bad actions. Then we have to be punished for that in the future. So see how much suffering we create for ourselves, plus the stress and tension of trying to attain those things in the first place, all because we forgot we're a Divine soul.

So the moment you surrender to Sri Krishna, that knot of my ignorance in the heart is finished forever. chidyante sarva-saṁśayāḥ. All the doubts and confusions are finished forever. Now you'll never be separate from God. You'll always see Him directly in front of you, so how would you ever doubt Him?

And all your karma, Hṛdaya-granthiśchidyante cāsya karmāṇi, all your past karma is also deleted. Your infinite previous actions from uncountable past lives, what is called Sanchit Karam, that's deleted. Your bondage of karm, which is created by the attachment of the mind in the world, is also finished. So kriyaman karm is finished. You can never do new karm that will bind you because your mind is in God only. And your prarabha Karm, even though you're free from that, most God realized Saints decide to undergo it anyway, but they don't feel anything in their heart. It's just a physical thing they undergo.

So you're free from the bondage of karm. You're free from ignorance. You're free from doubts and confusions. And you meet God face to face.

So how do we get to this point? Simple. Just practice. The mind has the power to do anything. Our thinking is:

mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha-mokshayoh

Vedas say the mind is the cause of bondage and liberation. If we keep thinking we're this body and we only dwell upon the objects of the senses that we wish to enjoy, then our mind keeps us attached and bound in maya. And if we use the same mind to have faithful thoughts about Shri Krishna, that mind releases us from bondage. The power is in the mind. All you have to do is think, “Krishna is right here. He's with me. He's looking at me, smiling at me. He's my Divine companion. He's always with me. He always has been. He is now, and He always will be the perfect Divine friend.”

Think that over and over and over again. This ‘astītyevopalabdhasya’ Kathopanishad is saying. You have to become astik. You have to really believe in God that He's right here with you. We have to practice to become astik. You may think, oh, I am astik because I believe in God. Yes. We do believe in God in some percentage, but not 100%. If we had 100% faith in God, we would meet Shri Krishna right now. We would have met Him already.

So to become astik, a true believer in God, we have to practice. And the practice is simple. Just keep thinking over and over again, “Krishna is here with me. He's right here!” This practice is so important that Jagadguru Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj has given us two ways to practice this at all times every day.

One is to sit and give some dedicated practice time where you in this case, we call it roopdhyan. Because when you dedicate some practice time to this, you're also going to visualize the form of Shri Krishna in as much detail as you can. With closed eyes, you try to imagine Krishna's form. What does that do? It's you're practicing feeling that really He's right here. He's here right now. Yes. It's a fact He is, but how much of the mind is accepting that? Therefore, we have to engage the mind in this faithful practice, “Oh, yeah. This is real Shri Krishna. I'm imagining Him, but it's not just imagination. He's really in this. He's even in my mind!” So even the imagined form has Shri Krishna right there in it. This is called the roopdhyan practice, and we practice this normally with kirtan because in silence, it's too easy to get distracted or bored, so the kirtan keeps us engaged for longer.

The other way of practicing that Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj taught us is to do it with some intervals throughout the day. So when you're engaged in some activity, it's very easy to forget that Shri Krishna is with me. We could forget for hours. Eight hours, ten hours, twelve hours may go by before we remember, “Oh, yes! I was supposed to be thinking that Krishna is with me, and I didn't think about that once in the last twelve hours. Shame on me! How did I let the whole day go by?”

So, since this is our nature initially, it's very common. It's very natural for a person to forget God like this because our mind is more attached in the world initially. So we have to give the mind a technique that allows it to practice remembering Krishna throughout the day. That is very simple. Every hour, on the hour, stop what we are doing and have that faithful thought for just a few seconds, “Krishna is with me! He's right here! Yeah. He's looking at me!” See? We made that connection to Him. That also purifies the heart. Even a few seconds of that meditation purifies the heart, increases our connection to Shri Krishna, and strengthens our faith. Because the more you have those faithful thoughts, the stronger our faith becomes. We're working up towards 100%.

These are the two practices, mental practices, that have to be taken seriously and implemented on a daily basis. One, the roopdhyan where we sit for some dedicated time away from any other activity, and we just practice. And the other one at intervals, every hour we stop and just do a few seconds meditation, “Oh, Krishna's right here! I can see Him looking at me. Okay. Back to work.” That gives you the ability to break that cycle of forgetting. We're so engaged in our stressful day. You break that and you remember Krishna. Then again next hour, again next hour.

This is the power of the mind that simply by practicing these, you develop your surrender to Shri Krishna and your faith in Shri Krishna, and you can become God realized just by practicing with your mind in this way. God-realized means when we're 100% attached to Shri Krishna, then He appears in front of us. We see Him. We experience His Divine bliss, and then we're never away from Him again. So, let us spend a few minutes now practicing the roopdhyan.

Roopdhyan means that faithful remembrance. You visualize the form of Shri Krishna in some detail. Any part of His total self that you want to look at from head to toe, the whole thing, any part in between. But you have to put some effort to focus your mind on that, feeling that this is real, Krishna, and feeling a loving connection that He is yours. So, this practice can be done on your own as well. And right now, we're going to practice it together while doing some kirtan.

Please watch the video to fully grasp the essence of the discourse

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/meri-radhe-meri-radhe-prem-agadhe

O my Radhe, You are the ocean of Divine love. O Radhe, I am restless without Your remembrance even for a moment.

Krishn always sings Your name “Radhe Radhe” ... when He plays flute. Krishn is extremely happy when He meditates upon Your Divine form.

O Radhe, You are always with me (front, back, left and right) when I walk. Wherever I see, I see You and for me the whole world is Your Divine form.

O Radhe, I want to be absorbed in Your thoughts whether I am going through good times or bad times. O Radhe, Your loving thoughts have permeated my body and mind.

I want to think about You in my sleep and I want to wake up with Your thoughts, my Radhe. O Radhe, I feel your presence here and there, everywhere.

O Radhe, I feel Your Grace when I feel You are near me and also in Your separation. You are in my devotional thoughts and You are with me when I am doing my worldly duties.

Radhe is mine and also yours. Radhe is for him and Radhe is for every soul.

Radhe is for liberated souls and also for unliberated souls. Shri Kripalu Mahaprabhu Ji says that Radhe is the refuge of destitutes.

Live recorded kirtan during the Winter Family Camp 2022 from Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple of JKP Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, TX.

Song Credits:

Song - Meri Radhe Meri Radhe Prem Agadhey

Singer - Chirag bhaiya

Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Lyrics Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

JKP Radha Madhav Dham podcast is available on various podcast apps, allowing you to listen to kirtans and lectures on demand. Downloaded podcast episodes can be accessed offline without needing a data connection.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/why-do-we-get-angry-and-how-do-we

The Divine Souls!

Today we'll be taking up, a topic, a very common question about anger: Why do we get angry, and how do we control it? Every question, no matter how small, if we are to answer it correctly, requires an understanding of the whole philosophy, because every question is like a thread. You pull on it, and it leads back to the core of the philosophy. So to answer this simple question, I will have to give you a very brief insight into the philosophy that is taught by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has explained this topic many times according to Vedas and Gita and Puran. and as he always quotes from all these main scriptures to make any spiritual point. So let us see.

Anger. Why do we have it and how to control it? Why? We can look at a couple of different layers of why. Gita says, if we want to go right to the origin of anger, Gita gives us a very straightforward answer.

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते | सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते || 62||Dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate. Saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate.

- Bhagavad Gita: 2/ 62

“Krodh” is anger. Where does ‘krodh’ come from? When you have a desire that is unfulfilled, you get angry. Very simple. If we always got our way, would we ever get angry? If everybody always did whatever we wanted, when would we ever get angry? If everything we thought automatically happened, we would never get angry. So, anger is the result of unfulfilled desire. So if somebody wants to eliminate anger, guess what you have to eliminate? Desire.

Okay. So then we come to desire. Why do we have desire? Gita says, “You repeatedly think about someone or something. And through this thinking, when you think of them that ‘I will get happiness from this person or this thing’”. Gita uses the word dhyan. You keep thinking about them. It's like a meditation on that person. You get attached.

Dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate.

Sangha or attachment arises through this repeated chintan. And why were we doing the chintan of that person? Because we believe them to be a source of happiness. So, now we have a link. Why do we get angry? Because we have a desire. And if by chance that desire is unfulfilled, then we get angry. Okay. Why do we have desires? Because we're attached to a particular person or thing. Whoever or whatever we're attached to, naturally, the desire for that thing will arise in the mind over and over again. It happens automatically. How big is the attachment? That big, that intense is the desire, and that intense will be the anger if the desire is unfulfilled. So attachment leads to desire which can, if unfulfilled, lead to anger. And where does attachment come from? Repeatedly thinking this person is mine. They will give me happiness. This thing is mine. I will get happiness from it.

So chintan causes asakti (attachment). That leads to kamana (desire). That leads to krodh (anger). And what is the origin of our thought process? This thing, this person will give me happiness. Why do we think that? Because we have a need for happiness. So if somebody could eliminate their need for happiness, then there would be no question of ever getting angry. However, our Vedas and other dharmic scriptures say that this is impossible. No one can eliminate their need for happiness because we are all ansh of Bhagwan; we're all a part of God, and God Himself is perfect happiness. And it is the nature of every anshi (part) to desire their ansh (whole). It is the nature of every part to desire the whole. Therefore, the soul, each one of us, is an individual soul, we all desire God. And God is perfect happiness, therefore, we all desire perfect happiness. So can we stop desiring perfect happiness? No. Impossible. Even if we try for millions of years or millions of lifetimes, no one can change their nature of desiring perfect happiness. That's why every living being naturally wants to avoid pain and discomfort and wants to find comfort and happiness. Even an ant knows that much to avoid a painful situation. So this nature of the soul, the Divine soul, cannot be changed. We innately desire Divine happiness. And because of that, because we desire Divine happiness, we naturally seek it every second of every day. And since we're living in the physical world, and for us God is invisible until we become qualified to meet God, we can't see God, but we see the world, so we naturally start desiring the world. Then once you desire the world, then you create attachments, and then the repeated desire for those specific people and things arise in the mind. And then if you don't get what you want, then anger comes naturally.

So that leaves us at an impasse. It's impossible to remove anger. If you follow the logical links, every soul automatically and naturally desires happiness. Because of that original desire for happiness, we seek it in the people and things of this world, so we get attached to them by doing repeated contemplation on them - chintan. That leads to further and repeated desire for that object or person. That leads to anger if our desire is unfulfilled.

So there's no way to save ourselves from anger? There's no way to remedy this problem? No. There is a way. If we go back to the original desire, what is it for? Our original desire is for perfect Divine happiness. In other words, the soul wants God. We are mistakenly seeking perfect Divine happiness from the imperfect material world and the imperfect people of this world, ourselves included, and the temporary objects of this world. No one can find the perfect Divine happiness of their soul from the material world.

So if we correct that one thing and we seek happiness in God, then we'll actually start to get happiness. And through this process, our mind becomes purified and more and more attached to God. The mind has that nature whatever and whomever we deeply contemplate upon, that if we think Krishna is mine. He is happiness. I'll get happiness from Him, then of course you'll get attached to Him. Instead of being attached in the world, you'll get attached to Him. But in His case, there's no question of us being disappointed. In the world, you have a fifty fifty chance. You'll be disappointed or rewarded. So you're angry half the time.

With Krishna, we'll never be angry because He is perfect happiness. It's a correct expectation. In the world it's an incorrect expectation to think this person is going to make me happy all the time. We're bound to get angry if that's our expectation. It's not even fair to them. But it's fair to expect that from Shri Krishna because He is the very form of perfect happiness and love. Therefore, if we use our mind and our heart to lovingly remember him,

विषयान् ध्यायतश्चित्तं विषयेषु विषज्जते । मामनुस्मरतश्चित्तं मय्येव प्रविलीयते ॥ २७ ॥Viṣhayān dhyāyataśh chittaṁ viṣhayeṣhu viṣhajjate. Mām anusmarataśh cittaṁ mayyev pravilīyate.

- Śhrimad Bhagwatam: 11/14/27

The Bhāgwat Mahapuran also says, “If we repeatedly, lovingly remember the objects of worldly enjoyment, we get more attached to them. And if we do the same loving remembrance of Shri Krishna, we become more attached to Him.”

It's a simple process. Our mind is doing it all the time. We just have to divert the mind towards Shri Krishna. And to the extent we become attached to Him, to that same extent we'll receive internally a feeling of spiritual well-being, wholeness, happiness. And there's a state we can achieve if we 100% purify our heart by this remembrance of Shri Krishna, then with His grace, we can experience perfect Divine bliss. That is the ultimate goal of a soul. And then all the mayic defilements of the mind, including anger, are finished forever. Shvetashvatara Upanishad says, “When you fully purify your heart by remembering God, then all of your past sins are washed away. All of your past karma is deleted, and you meet God face to face.

God is always with us. He is giving life to our soul, but we have to remember Him. By constant remembrance, always keeping our mind joined with Him through loving remembrance, one day, we'll reach the point that our mind becomes one with Him. We achieve a state of unity with Him. Then we will be freed from all the troubles of maya.

The main troubles of maya are the internal troubles, the mental problems, anger, etc We can name so many - anger, jealousy, hatred. Today, we're discussing anger. This means that the ultimate final solution to anger is to become God-realized. Then all the mayic defilements of the mind will be finished. All the negativities of the mind are finished forever and you get a Divine mind completely infused with God's Divine grace and bliss. And along the way, it's also a solution. Incrementally, you reduce your anger the more you attach your mind to Shri Krishna because of the happiness you're getting. Anger is the result of not getting happiness. The more happiness we're getting by becoming attached to Shri Krishna, the less anger we'll have. And as our heart is being purified, the impurities of our past sins are also being washed away.

So, this is a very brief summary of the philosophy of the mind, how to solve the issue of anger, both from where we are incrementally improving our mental situation and ultimately through the state of God realization. This is a brief glimpse into the philosophy of God realization, the path of bhakti that requires us to do constant loving remembrance of Radha Krishna as taught by the Vedas, Gita, Bhagavatam, as you heard me explain today, and as promoted in the world by Jagadguru Shree Maharaj. So, let us spend a few minutes now practicing wholehearted remembrance of Radha Krishna, which we do more effectively with kirtan. Therefore, we'll chant Radhe Govind. Along with this chanting, we are to visualize the beautiful form of Radha Krishna, feeling that they are perfect Divine happiness, and they are our eternal Divine companions. So, let us feel this loving connection with them as we chant Their Divine names and meditate on Their Divine form.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/verses-from-ore-more-man-radhika

Chirag bhaiya sings verses from ‘Ore More Man Radhika Raman…’ Live recorded kirtan during the 2024 Winter Family Camp from Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple of JKP Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, TX.

Song Credits:

Song - Ore More Man Radhika Raman - Braj Ras Madhuri

Singer - Chirag bhaiya

Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Lyrics Composer - Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

JKP Radha Madhav Dham podcast is available on various podcast apps, allowing you to listen to kirtans and lectures on demand. Downloaded podcast episodes can be accessed offline without needing a data connection.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radhakrishnaprem.com

Watch video at: https://www.radhakrishnaprem.com/p/how-to-eliminate-stress-swami-nikhilanand

Swami Nikhilanand Ji says stress is often seen as the problem itself, but in reality, it is just a symptom. Many methods, such as exercise, meditation, and hobbies, help manage stress temporarily, but they do not eliminate it. He explains, "Trying to control stress won’t eliminate stress because it’s like if you have a brain tumor and you take an aspirin for your headache. To truly eliminate stress, one must address its root causes, which stem from deeper existential and emotional struggles.”

Swami Nikhilanand Ji examines this from a couple of different perspectives. “One is intellectual. Intellectually we don't know who we are. Who am I? So this is an existential problem, and we may not analyze it to that depth but that's actually true for all of us. We all really wonder, Who am I and where do I belong?” We're always trying to fit in. We're always trying to figure out how to act and behave so that we'll finally feel like we are home.” He points out that even in familiar settings people feel disconnected, "Do you notice that you don’t even feel home in your own home?" This search for belonging leads to a persistent dissatisfaction fueling stress.

Another fundamental cause of stress is our deep-seated unhappiness. Even when people achieve worldly success, love, or wealth, they often feel a lingering void. Even when you’re in the arms of someone who loves you the most, there’s still fear, “Even this isn’t enough!" This endless search for fulfillment intensifies stress and anxiety.

The intellectual solution to stress begins with understanding our true nature. The scriptures teach that "you are not the body”. The body and mind are temporary, but the soul is eternal. "Nothing can destroy me. I have been here forever. I will be here forever!" By recognizing that we are Divine souls, part of Shri Krishna, and that He is always with me, we can start to detach from worldly fears and uncertainties. This realization alone can significantly reduce stress.

Swami Nikhilanand Ji says, “However, intellectual understanding on its own is not enough. We need to experience something.” What is that? Happiness. The pursuit of happiness drives all human actions; worldly pleasures never provide lasting fulfillment. So, instead of thinking, “How can I relieve myself from stress and pain?” We could just think, “How could I find happiness?” The temporary pleasures of the world have never been enough. This is because we are inherently Divine beings, and only Divine happiness can complete us. True joy comes from experiencing and connecting with God. Taittirīyopaniṣad says, “God Himself is happiness.” Part of our stress is that we’re looking for happiness and failing to find it and only through devotion and love for Krishna can one find lasting peace.

Swami Nikhilanand Ji says, “Both the intellectual side and experiential side go hand in hand.” In other words, you need to understand the intellectual theory; what we call tattva gyan - Who am I? How am I related to God? Where do I belong? Where is perfect happiness? But then you also have to experience that perfect happiness. The ultimate experience comes when you become God realized. So to become God realized, you have to follow the path to God. While we follow the path to God, it’s not a long empty path with only the payoff coming at the end. No. The path to God is full of experiences that keep bringing you closer and closer. So naturally our feelings of insecurity and stress reduce as this devotional experience goes on expanding as we follow the path to God

Memorable Quotes from the Discourse:

* "Stress is not the actual problem. Stress is merely a symptom."

* "Trying to control stress won’t eliminate stress because, well, it’s like if you have a brain tumor and you take an aspirin for your headache."

* "We all really wonder, “Who am I and where do I belong?"”

* "At the root of all of this, we are unhappy even when we enjoy the brief pleasures of this world. Even that doesn't cure that inner void we feel."

* "Even when you’re in the arms of someone who loves you the most, there’s still fear."

* "You are not the body. The body dies, but you don’t die, so you are something other than the body."

* "You are not your mind either because when you go to sleep at night, you enter into a state called sushupti (deep sleep)."

* "So we have to remember, “I am the soul. I am a Divine soul and nothing can destroy me!"”

* "Something may harm my body. Nothing can harm my soul."

* "We feel alone because we forget that Krishna is with us."

* "Instead of thinking how can I relieve myself from stress and pain, we could just think, “How could I find happiness?"”

* "Happiness is none other than God…God himself is happiness."

* "Material pleasures can’t satisfy the Divine soul. Only Divine God can make us feel complete."

* "No person in this world can love another perfectly because we ourselves aren’t perfect."

* "The path to God is not a long empty path with only the payoff coming at the end."

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