Reflecting on this, a few deeper questions have arisen in my heart to help me implement your guidance practically. In the context of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare), I wish to know:
1. What specifically should I focus on ‘learning’ at this stage of my sadhana to grow closer to the Divine?
The general verdict about the single most important quality that greatly helps in spiritual life as well as our usual life is faith. Faith is the secret access code to the future and it is this we must cultivate most, faith in our destiny and faith in the Divine.
Apart from that it is sincerity we must cultivate. It implies not to pretend but to be, to organise our life according to our highest ideal.
2. What are those specific ‘harmful tendencies or activities’ that I need to consciously identify and discard so they do not hinder my progress?
Most important is doubt, doubt in oneself, doubt in the Grace and, along with doubt, fear. These two paralyse the sadhak and open doors to attacks from adverse forces.
3. Since our human will and strength are limited, is it truly possible for a person to achieve this ‘consciousness’ or ‘carefulness’ purely through their own strength? If not, then what should a sadhak do?
One must do one’s bit but knowing the limitations of human efforts, one must open more and more to the Divine Grace with complete surrender. ‘Sarvadharmanparityajya mamekamsharanam vraja’, as the Gita puts it.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
