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EDITORIAL  The Importance Of Honesty BY ISKCON DC EDITORIAL, Mar 20 (VNN) — Hare Krishna !! Recently there was quite an uproar at a prominent public figure admitting to an illicit affair. The outcry was not really directed at the illicit affair - in fact there were quite a few indulgent winks and understanding nods for that. What really upset the public were the initial denials of the affair by the person. The people were angry and hurt by the fact that they had been lied to. There are four legs or supports of religion. They are austerity, purity, mercy and truthfulness. With the progress of time, purity, mercy and austerity have greatly diminished. The first to go was austerity or voluntarily accepting physical and mental hardships for a higher purpose. Purity, which is manifested by conducting all activities according to the strict codes of morality was next to go. With an increase in aggression against animals and fellow humans, the quality of mercy declined. The only remaining leg of religion is honesty. It is the last refuge of religion and must be never violated. In the incident described above people were outraged since honesty, the only remaining leg of religion, was corrupted. Honesty is the essential basis of all our dealings, whether it is with friends, relatives, strangers or with God. It is the only thread that is keeping the fabric of civilization from falling apart. It is the basis of any spiritual advancements we can aspire to make. In the previous ages, aspiring spiritualists would undertake severe austerities, extended meditation, chant intricate and exotic mantras (hymns) or perform elaborate temple worship. All this is not possible now. For now, the key to spiritual progress rests entirely on honesty and truthfulness. Honest spiritual endeavor The first step in making spiritual progress is understanding where one is heading. One cannot hope to reach Paris by catching a plane to London. All paths may eventually lead to God, but not all paths are the same and not all of them are suitable for everyone. In the current age, chanting the holy names of the Lord is the recommended path for making spiritual advancement. It is easy, simple and any can do it. But chanting without understanding is like the man who would sit in front of a king's palace and constantly chant the king's name. One day the king noticed the man and asked him what he wanted. The man looked at the king and shrugged, 'I do not know what I want, I am just chanting'. The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is a plea to the internal potency of the Lord, to be engaged in His service. Chanting with the realization that the Lord and His names are non-different is the highest form of service. But this realization comes by executing devotional service for the Lord. Yet people may spend several years chanting and when the Lord gives them the opportunity to perform service they refuse. What is the point in chanting mechanically, without understanding its purpose? When one does not desire to serve, then why repeatedly ask for the service? True humility One of the most glorious attribute in a devotee is humility. It is an essential pre-requisite to offenseless chanting. In the beginning stages, humility is understanding that God is infinite and we are infinitesimal. As one progresses this blossoms into seeing every one and every thing as part and parcel of the Lord and thus worthy of all respects. In the very elevated stages one begins to genuinely feel one's own inadequacy in serving or reciprocating with the Lord. The external manifestations of humility should be an honest reflection of the inner realization, not an artificial attempt to gain recognition. True humility manifests itself as a desire to serve, with body, mind and speech. However devotees who project humility by constantly calling themselves as the most-fallen or the most offensive without desiring to render service are generally far from this realization. They either do it expecting reciprocation or simply to show case their great humility. Surrender All religions stress on surrender as the key component to making spiritual progress. Surrender is not simply a theoretical concept, nor is it achieved through elaborate rituals or loud proclamations. Surrender is very real and very practical. It means to surrender to the instructions of the Lord and His representatives. One cannot claim to be surrendered and then act whimsically, the two actions are in complete contradiction. When one surrenders to the Lord or the spiritual master, one is promising that 'from now on I will try my best to understand and follow your instructions.' This is real honest surrender, which will draw the mercy of the Lord. No room for hypocrisy Over time one may become expert at using the scriptures to one's advantage. Overeating gets justified as 'honoring the Lord's remnants.' The body becomes a 'temple of the Lord' and therefore is given utmost care. Family responsibilities are avoided by becoming 'transcendental to bodily relations.' Mistakes are shrugged off as 'the Lord's desire.' Lethargy and laziness are justified as 'not over endeavoring for mundane things.' The highest renunciation becomes 'renouncing renunciation.' These are all hypocritical actions. One's behavior must be consistent with one's level of realization. God is within us as the Supersoul. He knows all our thoughts, our desires and our intents. When we behave in a hypocritical manner, we are only harming our spiritual lives and bewildering the innocent. Walk the talk It is important that one must act and speak consistently. Preaching is a very important service to the Lord, but it should never be done for the sake of relishing the power of control over others. When one preaches about surrender, one should be at least sincerely trying to surrender. At all times there must be a consistency between one's words and actions. When one speaks the glories of prasadam one should not make a habit of wasting prasadam. Simply using the scriptures to win debates, garner praise and glory or attract followers is falsehood. One must be careful to focus one's activities on the goal, which is reviving our dormant love for God. The essence of devotion The Lord accepts the essence of one's emotions. There is no fooling Him, for He is witness to all our internal desires and external actions. More important than the activities is the consciousness with which they are performed. One may sing melodious songs glorifying the Lord, learn many verses from the scriptures, give spell binding talks, perform difficult austerities or so many others forms of devotional service, but unless they are executed for the pleasure of the Lord they are simply extended forms of sense gratification and will not yield spiritual benefit. Developing spiritual consciousness is simple for the simple and complicated for the crooked. The essential quality of a devotee is being honest to everyone at all points of time. This quality must be consciously cultivated and monitored. There are many subtle and not-so subtle distractions in the path of devotion that may easily distract a devotee. However for one who is sincere, vigilant and honest the path is easy and the journey blissful. Wishing all our readers a very happy Gaura Purnima !! Mark your calendars (all times USA East Coast) 20th March Tuesday: Ekadasi (fast from grains and beans) Web Address : http://www.iskcondc.org Email : mail@iskcondc.org Mailing Address: ISKCON, 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD - 20854. Tel: (301) 299 2100 Temple (301) 765 8948 Congregation Services President: Sri Trikalajna dasa (301) 299 7205 Fax: (301) 299 5025 We have 7 aratis (deity worship) a day (4:30AM, 7:15AM, 8:15AM, 12:30PM, 4:15PM, 7:00PM [Sunday 6:30PM], 8:45PM) and a daily class in the temple at 8:00AM. You are welcome 7 days a week, the temple is open from 4:30AM until 9:00PM. Breakfast is at 8:45AM and lunch 1:30PM. All are welcome (FREE) We have a special program every Sunday evening beginning 5:30PM. This includes a Bhagavad Gita class, kirtan (devotional songs), arati, and a sumptuous vegetarian feast. If you would like to sponsor the feast or receive further information please call Caitanya-Nitai Dasa at 301-765-8948 or send us an Email. We also offer a variety of pujas, samskaras, grain ceremonies, mundans etc. and have qualified priests to perform them. For details please call Sri Navin Krsna Dasa on 301-299-7205 or send us an Email. Remember to visit Govindas, our gift shop, located right behind the temple, for all your devotional needs, reading material, music CDs, tapes and deity paraphernalia. The shop is open every Sunday from 5PM to 9PM, and any other time on request. Please chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare - and make your life sublime.  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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