The functions of the mind are thinking, feeling and willing. When the mind is materialistic, or absorbed in material contact, it acts for material advancement of knowledge, destructively ending in discovery of nuclear weapons. But when the mind acts under spiritual urge, it acts wonderfully for going back home, back to Godhead, for life in complete bliss and eternity. Therefore the mind has to be manipulated by good and unalloyed intelligence. Perfect intelligence is to render service unto the Lord. (SB 2.2.16)

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Regarding your last question about the ecstatic symptoms of chanting Hare Krishna, you should know that the Hare Krishna Mantra has an equal effect upon all devotees. Just like the sunshine has an equal effect on everyone, but when it is covered, the sunshine has a different effect. Similarly, the influence of the Hare Krishna Mantra becomes manifest when one is no longer covered by the ten offenses to chanting. The more we become free from the ten offenses, the more the effect of chanting becomes manifested through us. Everyone can become a great devotee, being freed from the offenses 100%, simply by one's determination and effort.

(SPL 16th June 1969)

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And, above all, the superexcellent Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. ( Nectar of Instruction,Verse 9)

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..even if one isn’t directly seeing Krishna, one is directly in contact with Krishna through the process of devotional service, and most particularly by chanting His Holy Names. So, this lifetime is a preparation for the next life. One of the ways to be steady throughout this lifetime, as Nārada was in his life before he attained his spiritual body, is to be aware of the fact that we’re biting our time here in this present body. It’s all about preparing to leave this body for attaining the next destination. We can follow in the footsteps of Sri Nārada. That’s what the Bhāgavatam suggests: by taking advantage of the association of devotees and then going on with the chanting of the Mahāmantra throughout this lifetime. If one does that, one will have success in following the footsteps of the most exemplary Great Sage Nārada.

(Excerpt from the talk)

HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa highlights the significance of devoting our lives to cultivating a profound bond with The Holy Name and preparing for our eternal journey.

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The most important aspects of chanting are to keep coming back to the mantra. Your mind inevitably will go to another place or many other places. Don’t be discouraged, but just very gently, persistently, and consistently bring your attention back to the sound of the mantra that you yourself are generating. As you do that, everything else will be revealed one after another. The practice itself, once we get used to focusing the mind on the mantra, will naturally feel peaceful anyway because the mind is so used to going everywhere on its own. But if we become the master of the mind and bring it back to the chanting, then we’ll experience the fruits of focus, and the best focus is on the mantra.

(Excerpt from the talk)

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...and it was the best two weeks of my life, driving out in a van they gave me from the temple that had no heat. I found out halfway down the turnpike, but Krishna arranged for everything. Those who take to Krishna Consciousness, Krishna says, “teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te" (BG 10.10). I have a very intimate relationship with every one of you. He said, "I’m in your heart, and if you want to know me, if you sincerely inquire, I’ll give you full intelligence on how you can come to me. I will illuminate your heart. “teṣām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā” (BG 10.11). “I’ll light up a lamp in your heart,” he said. “I’ll destroy the ignorance, the darkness for you.” So we could understand from this pastime of Krishna’s appearance, this Janamashtami pastime, when He comes, that He’s demonstratively showing Himself to the world. “anugrahāya bhaktānāṁ mānuṣaṁ deham āsthitaḥ” (SB 10.33.36). He specifically comes and shows that He’s here and fully available to every one of you, and that if you sincerely take to the process of devotional service, you can come to know Him. (excerpt from the talk)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868For more videos please visit www.fanthespark.com

tapyante loka-tāpena

sādhavaḥ prāyaśo janāḥ

paramārādhanaṁ tad dhi

puruṣasyākhilātmanaḥ

It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is considered the highest method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present in everyone’s heart. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.7.44)

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HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa explains the universal principles of book distribution and guides us in overcoming our fears and inhibitions to embrace this profound spiritual practice which is the highest kind of service.

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One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water. ( Bhagavad-gītā - 5.10)

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