Personal Excellence

Personal ExcellencePersonal Excellence

Zagreb, March 2008Zagreb, March 2008

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Excellence in Excellence in sadhanasadhana

THE BASIS OF EXCELLENCETHE BASIS OF EXCELLENCE

• Chanting minimum 16 rounds of the Hare Chanting minimum 16 rounds of the Hare Krsna Maha MantraKrsna Maha Mantra

• Following the 4 regulative principles (no Following the 4 regulative principles (no meat eating, no intoxications, no meat eating, no intoxications, no gambling, no illicit sex)gambling, no illicit sex)

RESIDENTIAL SADHANA - morningRESIDENTIAL SADHANA - morning

• Getting up early (4 a.m.)Getting up early (4 a.m.)• Taking showerTaking shower• Attending Mangala arotikAttending Mangala arotik• Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one

go)go)• Darshan, Guru Puja, Jay Radha MadhavaDarshan, Guru Puja, Jay Radha Madhava• ClassClass• BreakfastBreakfast• ServiceService

RESIDENTIAL SADHANA - eveningRESIDENTIAL SADHANA - evening

• Gaura aratiGaura arati• Preaching programs or readingPreaching programs or reading

CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - morningmorning

• Getting up (between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.)Getting up (between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.)• ShowerShower• Chanting all the morning program mantras Chanting all the morning program mantras

in one goin one go• Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one Chanting japa (preferably 16 rounds in one

go)go)• Reading or listening to classReading or listening to class• BreakfastBreakfast• Going to workGoing to work

CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - CONGREGATIONAL SADHANA - eveningevening

• Gaura arati or readingGaura arati or reading• Attending a nama hatta program or sangaAttending a nama hatta program or sanga

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN SADHANAEXCELLENCE IN SADHANA

Studying and applying ch. 8 (Offenses to Be Studying and applying ch. 8 (Offenses to Be Avoided) and ch. 9 (Further Considerations Avoided) and ch. 9 (Further Considerations of Devotional Principles) from the Nectar of of Devotional Principles) from the Nectar of DevotionDevotion

SRILA BHAKTIVINODA’S DAILY SRILA BHAKTIVINODA’S DAILY SCHEDULESCHEDULE

08:00-10:0008:00-10:00 P.M. Rest (two hours)P.M. Rest (two hours)10:00-04:00 A.M. Write10:00-04:00 A.M. Write04.00-04:3004.00-04:30 A.M. RestA.M. Rest04:30-07:00 A.M. Chant Japa04:30-07:00 A.M. Chant Japa07:00-07:30 A.M. Correspondence07:00-07:30 A.M. Correspondence07:30-09:3007:30-09:30 A.M. Study sastrasA.M. Study sastras09:30-10:00 A.M. Bath, prasadam 09:30-10:00 A.M. Bath, prasadam (half- (half-

liter milk, fruit, 2 liter milk, fruit, 2 chapatis)chapatis)10:00-01:00 P.M. Court Duties10:00-01:00 P.M. Court Duties01:00-02:00 P.M. Refresh at home01:00-02:00 P.M. Refresh at home02:00-05:00 P.M. Court Duties 02:00-05:00 P.M. Court Duties

Excellence in Excellence in relationshipsrelationships

SHARING LOVE BETWEEN SHARING LOVE BETWEEN DEVOTEESDEVOTEES

• Offering gifts in charityOffering gifts in charity• Accepting charitable giftsAccepting charitable gifts

• Revealing one’s mind in confidenceRevealing one’s mind in confidence• Inquiring confidentiallyInquiring confidentially

• Accepting prasadam Accepting prasadam • Offering prasadam Offering prasadam

Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 4Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 4

RESPECTING THE DEVOTEESRESPECTING THE DEVOTEES

• One should mentally honor the devotee who One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Krsnachants the holy name of Lord Krsna

• One should offer humble obeisances to the One should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation (diksha) and is engaged in worshiping the Deity(diksha) and is engaged in worshiping the Deity

• One should associate with and faithfully serve One should associate with and faithfully serve that pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated that pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize othersdevoid of the propensity to criticize others

Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 5Srila Rupa Goswami, Upadesamrita 5

PERSONAL ATTITUDE TOWARD PERSONAL ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERSOTHERS

Every man should act like this:Every man should act like this:

• When he meets a person more quallified than When he meets a person more quallified than himself, he should be very pleasedhimself, he should be very pleased

• When he meets someone less quallified than When he meets someone less quallified than himself, he should be compassionate toward himhimself, he should be compassionate toward him

• When he meets someone equal to himself, he When he meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him should make friendship with him

In this way one is never affected by the threefold In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material worldmiseries of this material world

SB 4.8.34 (Narada’s Instruction to Dhruva Maharaja)SB 4.8.34 (Narada’s Instruction to Dhruva Maharaja)

BASIS FOR MATURE BASIS FOR MATURE RELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPS

One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled.always working, such a man is never entangled.

BG 5.7BG 5.7


Great devotees see Great devotees see Krsna as the reservoir of Krsna as the reservoir of all relationships. In the all relationships. In the scriptures there are scriptures there are twelve basic kinds of twelve basic kinds of relationships mentioned, relationships mentioned, and all of them are and all of them are present in Krsna. It is present in Krsna. It is said that He is the ocean said that He is the ocean of all the relationships of all the relationships exchanged between two exchanged between two living entities, between living entities, between the gods, or between the the gods, or between the Supreme Lord and His Supreme Lord and His devotees. devotees.

BG 11.14 PurportBG 11.14 Purport


BhBhisismadeva advised for all human beings nine madeva advised for all human beings nine qualifications: qualifications:

(1) not to become angry, (2) not to lie, (3) to (1) not to become angry, (2) not to lie, (3) to equally distribute wealth, (4) to forgive, (5) to equally distribute wealth, (4) to forgive, (5) to beget children only by one’s legitimate wife, (6) beget children only by one’s legitimate wife, (6) to be pure in mind and hygienic in body, (7) not to be pure in mind and hygienic in body, (7) not to be inimical toward anyone, (8) to be simple, to be inimical toward anyone, (8) to be simple, and (9) to support servants or subordinates.and (9) to support servants or subordinates.

SB 1.9.26 PurportSB 1.9.26 Purport

QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE

• He iHe is always kind to everyone, and he does not s always kind to everyone, and he does not

pick quarrels.pick quarrels.

• He is equal to everyone, and no one can find fault He is equal to everyone, and no one can find fault in him.in him.

• His magnanimous mind is always fresh and clean His magnanimous mind is always fresh and clean and devoid of material obsessions. and devoid of material obsessions.

• He is a benefactor to all living entities and is He is a benefactor to all living entities and is peaceful and always surrendered to Kpeaceful and always surrendered to Krsnrsna. a.

• He has no material desires. He has no material desires.

QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEEQUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE

• He is very humble and is fixed in his purpose. He is very humble and is fixed in his purpose.

• He is victorious over the six material qualities such as He is victorious over the six material qualities such as lust and angerlust and anger

• He is always sane and is respectful to others, but he He is always sane and is respectful to others, but he

does not require respect for himself. does not require respect for himself.

• He is grave, merciful, friendly, poetic, expert and He is grave, merciful, friendly, poetic, expert and silent.silent.

TLC 12: The devoteeTLC 12: The devotee

Excellence in Excellence in devotional devotional

serviceservice

GLORIES OF DEVOTIONAL GLORIES OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICESERVICE

Perfection in self-realization cannot be attained by any kind Perfection in self-realization cannot be attained by any kind of yogof yogii unless he engages in devotional service to the unless he engages in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for that is the only Supreme Personality of Godhead, for that is the only auspicious path.auspicious path.

SB 3.25.19SB 3.25.19

9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL 9 METHODS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICESERVICE

• Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord VLord Visnuisnu

• remembering remembering themthem• serving the lotus feet of the Lord serving the lotus feet of the Lord • offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types

of paraphernaliaof paraphernalia• offering prayers to the Lord offering prayers to the Lord • becoming His servantbecoming His servant• considering the Lord one’s best friend considering the Lord one’s best friend • surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, surrendering everything unto Him (in other words,

serving Him with the body, mind and words)serving Him with the body, mind and words)

SB 7.5.23-24SB 7.5.23-24


““Among the ways of executing devotional service, the Among the ways of executing devotional service, the nine prescribed methods are the best, for these nine prescribed methods are the best, for these processes have great potency to deliver Kprocesses have great potency to deliver Krsnrsna and a and ecstatic love for Him.ecstatic love for Him.” ”

CC Antya 4.70CC Antya 4.70

One may be able to perform one item or many items, One may be able to perform one item or many items, according to one’s capacity, according to one’s capacity, but it is the principal but it is the principal factor of complete attachment to devotional factor of complete attachment to devotional service that makes one advance on the pathservice that makes one advance on the path. .

There are many devotees in history who have attained There are many devotees in history who have attained perfection in devotional service simply by discharging perfection in devotional service simply by discharging the duties of one item, and there are many other the duties of one item, and there are many other devotees, like Mahdevotees, like Mahaarraaja Ambarja Ambarisisa, who executed all a, who executed all the items. the items.



Some individual devotees who attained perfection in Some individual devotees who attained perfection in devotional service by executing only one item are: devotional service by executing only one item are:

• MahMahaarraaja Parja Pariikkssit, who was liberated and fully it, who was liberated and fully perfected simply by hearing; perfected simply by hearing;

• SSukadeva Gosvukadeva Gosvaammii, who became liberated and , who became liberated and attained perfection in devotional service simply by attained perfection in devotional service simply by chanting;chanting;

• PrahlPrahlaada Mahda Mahaarraaja, who attained perfection by ja, who attained perfection by remembering; remembering;

• LakLakssmmii, who attained perfection by serving the lotus , who attained perfection by serving the lotus feet of the Lord; feet of the Lord;


• King PKing Pririthu, who attained perfection simply by thu, who attained perfection simply by worshiping; worshiping;

• AkrAkruura, who attained perfection simply by praying;ra, who attained perfection simply by praying;

• HanumHanumaan, who attained perfection simply by n, who attained perfection simply by becoming the servant of Lord Rbecoming the servant of Lord Raama;ma;

• Arjuna, who attained perfection simply by being a Arjuna, who attained perfection simply by being a friend of Kfriend of Krsnarsna’s; ’s;

• Bali MahBali Mahaarraaja who attained perfection simply by ja who attained perfection simply by offering whatever he had in his possession.offering whatever he had in his possession.



EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE IN EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICEDEVOTIONAL SERVICE

Govinda massaged the Lord’s legs as usual. He Govinda massaged the Lord’s legs as usual. He pressed the Lord’s waist and back very softly, pressed the Lord’s waist and back very softly, and thus all the Lord’s fatigue went away. As and thus all the Lord’s fatigue went away. As Govinda stroked His body, the Lord slept very Govinda stroked His body, the Lord slept very nicely for about forty-five minutes, and then His nicely for about forty-five minutes, and then His sleep broke.sleep broke.

CC Antya 10.82-100CC Antya 10.82-100


When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Govinda When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Govinda sitting by His side, He was somewhat angry. “Why sitting by His side, He was somewhat angry. “Why have you been sitting here for so long today?” the have you been sitting here for so long today?” the Lord asked. “Why didn’t you go to take your meal Lord asked. “Why didn’t you go to take your meal after I fell asleep?”after I fell asleep?”

CC Antya 10.82-100CC Antya 10.82-100


Govinda mentally replied, “My duty is to serve, Govinda mentally replied, “My duty is to serve, even if I have to commit offenses or go to hell. I even if I have to commit offenses or go to hell. I would not mind committing hundreds and would not mind committing hundreds and thousands of offenses for the service of the Lord, thousands of offenses for the service of the Lord, but I greatly fear committing even a glimpse of but I greatly fear committing even a glimpse of an offense for my own self.” an offense for my own self.”

CC Antya 10.82-100CC Antya 10.82-100

SERVICE EXCELLENCESERVICE EXCELLENCE

• To preach / approach dealings with To preach / approach dealings with devotees, clients, friends and others devotees, clients, friends and others with a deep desire to really help and with a deep desire to really help and solve their problemssolve their problems

• Successful devotees have an Successful devotees have an external focus of how they can serve external focus of how they can serve and not an internal focus of what and not an internal focus of what they can get. they can get.


• Customer: A person who purchases a Customer: A person who purchases a commodity or service commodity or service

• Client: A person who is under the Client: A person who is under the protection of another protection of another


• Become a trusted friend or advisorBecome a trusted friend or advisor

• Talk in the way which shows your care and Talk in the way which shows your care and concern concern

• Focus on giving value and advice instead Focus on giving value and advice instead of manipulatingof manipulating

• Don’t fall in love with your ideas or effort – Don’t fall in love with your ideas or effort – fall in love with the people you serve; take fall in love with the people you serve; take responsibility for their well-beingresponsibility for their well-being

THINK BIGTHINK BIG

Everything is possible by the grace of Everything is possible by the grace of the Lord. the Lord. SB 3.31.18 PSB 3.31.18 P

By the blessings of a Vaisnava, By the blessings of a Vaisnava, everything is possible. everything is possible. SB 5.1.10 PSB 5.1.10 P

By Krsna's supreme will, everything By Krsna's supreme will, everything is possible. is possible. Krsna Book 50Krsna Book 50

For advanced devotee, everything is For advanced devotee, everything is possible. possible. Lecture 1975Lecture 1975

Excellence in Excellence in leadershipleadership

Story: Butterfly (undeveloped Story: Butterfly (undeveloped muscles)muscles)

The words The words nynyaasino ’tyartha-lolupsino ’tyartha-lolupahah indicate that indicate that charismatic religious leaders, and even those who charismatic religious leaders, and even those who are not charismatic, will proclaim themselves are not charismatic, will proclaim themselves prophets, saints and incarnations to cheat the prophets, saints and incarnations to cheat the innocent public and fatten their bank accounts. innocent public and fatten their bank accounts. Therefore the International Society for Krishna Therefore the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is working arduously to establish Consciousness is working arduously to establish bona fide celibate student life, religious bona fide celibate student life, religious householder life, dignified and progressive householder life, dignified and progressive retirement, and genuine spiritual leadership for retirement, and genuine spiritual leadership for the entire world.the entire world.

SB 12.3.33 PurportSB 12.3.33 Purport

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Excellence in self-Excellence in self-carecare

BASIS OF PERSONAL WELL-BEINGBASIS OF PERSONAL WELL-BEING

• BodyBody

• Mind (thinking, feeling, willing)Mind (thinking, feeling, willing)

• IntelligenceIntelligence

• SoulSoul

BODY – SADHANA SARIRABODY – SADHANA SARIRA

• Our body is “sadhana sarira” or vehicle for performing Our body is “sadhana sarira” or vehicle for performing devotional servicedevotional service

• ““Your body is My principal instrument for executing Your body is My principal instrument for executing many necessary functions. By your body I shall carry many necessary functions. By your body I shall carry out many tasks.out many tasks.””CC Antya 4.78CC Antya 4.78

• An expert horseman, desiring to tame a headstrong An expert horseman, desiring to tame a headstrong horse, first lets the horse have his way for a moment horse, first lets the horse have his way for a moment and then, pulling the reins, gradually places the horse and then, pulling the reins, gradually places the horse on the desired path. Similarly, the supreme yoga on the desired path. Similarly, the supreme yoga process is that by which one carefully observes the process is that by which one carefully observes the movements and desires of the mind and gradually movements and desires of the mind and gradually brings them under full controbrings them under full control”l”SB 11.20.21SB 11.20.21

PHYSICAL WELL-BEINGPHYSICAL WELL-BEING

A weak body means a weak mind – accept everything A weak body means a weak mind – accept everything that is favorable for your service likethat is favorable for your service like

• Healthy dietHealthy diet• Regular sleepRegular sleep• Exercise (e.g. 20-30 minutes of walking, swimming, Exercise (e.g. 20-30 minutes of walking, swimming,

etc most of the days)etc most of the days)

Learn to relax – e.g. Use pranayama or other breathing Learn to relax – e.g. Use pranayama or other breathing techniques, meditation, yoga exercises, massages, techniques, meditation, yoga exercises, massages, etc.etc.

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEINGEMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

• Be positive – don’t put yourself down, challenge Be positive – don’t put yourself down, challenge negative thoughts that pop into your mind (I’m no negative thoughts that pop into your mind (I’m no good, I can’t do this) with positive ones, remind good, I can’t do this) with positive ones, remind yourself of past success.yourself of past success.

• Practice gratitude everyday (beginning from small Practice gratitude everyday (beginning from small things)things)

• Don’t identify with the 6 enemies (lust, greed, illusion, Don’t identify with the 6 enemies (lust, greed, illusion, envy, anger and pride)envy, anger and pride)

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEINGEMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

• Accept the given situation as it is - Your external Accept the given situation as it is - Your external situation is as it is. You have to say "yes" to what situation is as it is. You have to say "yes" to what Krsna has given you. You have to also say "yes" to the Krsna has given you. You have to also say "yes" to the weakness which you feel. And then you have to go weakness which you feel. And then you have to go forward. Forward in a gratitude which comes from forward. Forward in a gratitude which comes from acceptance. acceptance.

• Have fun – schedule some ‘time out’ for yourself, Have fun – schedule some ‘time out’ for yourself, pursue your hobbies or interests, spend time with pursue your hobbies or interests, spend time with friends – focussing too intensely on something can friends – focussing too intensely on something can lead to ‘burnout’lead to ‘burnout’.

SOCIAL WELL BEINGSOCIAL WELL BEING

• Cultivate devotee friendships - invest time in Cultivate devotee friendships - invest time in those relationships you care about the most. Take those relationships you care about the most. Take time for confidential talks. Share gifts. Avoid time for confidential talks. Share gifts. Avoid criticismcriticism

• Monitor your stress – recognise your own signs of Monitor your stress – recognise your own signs of stress and identify situations you find difficult, so stress and identify situations you find difficult, so you can be more pro-active about managing you can be more pro-active about managing stress at these times. stress at these times.

SOCIAL WELL BEINGSOCIAL WELL BEING

• Set goals and priorities – be realistic, focus on Set goals and priorities – be realistic, focus on how you want to contribute rather than how you want to contribute rather than comparison with others, accept that comparison with others, accept that circumstances are outside your control. circumstances are outside your control.

• Manage your time – avoid procrastination, plan Manage your time – avoid procrastination, plan ahead, make a schedule and follow it, evaluate ahead, make a schedule and follow it, evaluate how you are spending your time.how you are spending your time.

YUKTA VAIRAGYAYUKTA VAIRAGYA

anasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatahanasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatah nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate

prapancikataya buddhya hari-sambandhi-vastunah prapancikataya buddhya hari-sambandhi-vastunah mumuksubhih parityago vairagyam phalgu kathyatemumuksubhih parityago vairagyam phalgu kathyate

““When one is not attached to anything but at the When one is not attached to anything but at the same time accepts everything in relation to Ksame time accepts everything in relation to Krsnrsna, a, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On the other hand, one who rejects everything the other hand, one who rejects everything without knowledge of its relationship to Kwithout knowledge of its relationship to Krsnrsna is a is not as complete in his renunciation.”not as complete in his renunciation.”

BRS 1.2.255-256BRS 1.2.255-256

Anyone can have this picture in his home, chant this Hare Krsna mantra, and thus worship Lord Caitanya. That is the simple method. But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains.

Srila Prabhupada November 1969, London's Conway Hall

To prosecute Krishna Consciousness there is no limitation, no material impediment can stop progress of Krishna Consciousness. That is the symptom of spiritual life. Spiritual life doesn’t depend on material conditions.

So it is only the question of understanding the So it is only the question of understanding the process how to execute Krishna process how to execute Krishna Consciousness.Consciousness.

(Srila Prabhupada letter, February 13, 1969)(Srila Prabhupada letter, February 13, 1969)

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