Q: Can anyone become self realized?
A: Yes. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught this lesson to all the smartas, seminal brahmins and caste conscious persons, by accepting Hari Das Thakur as the Genuine Guru Acharya of the chanting of the holy name. Hari Das had no connection to the Brahmin Society and was considered an outcast by all most all of them. Mahaprabhu however praised Hari Das as being a true devotee of the lord. Krishna in his avatar as the holy name danced 24/7 on the tounge of Thakur Hari Das.
Q: How can we become self realized today?
A: There are many answers to this question but the first one is that you should find out a genuine guru. Submit relevant question and try to render some service as he requires. Gradually by hearing the siddhanta (philosophy of bhakti yoga and its conclusion) and rendering service you should be well on your way.
Q: How can I practice Bhakti in my everyday life?
A: You will have to pose that question to your guru. Times, places and circumstances change and require personal advice but I can answer in a general way.
If you like to paint, paint pictures of Krishna, if you like to talk then speak about Krishna. Perhaps you like to cook, then cook for Krishna.
Do what your doing now but learn to do it for Krishna's pleasure. Instead of eating rotten flesh, take wonderful tasty foods that have been cooked with love and devotion then offered to Krishna. Krishna will accept your devotion, then he leaves the foodstuffs for your maintenance.
Q: Where do I find a guru?
A: When you are truly sincere about self realization, he will find you. Krishna in your heart will give you the ability to recognize a genuine spiritual master. Be warned though...if your are not serious you will certainly be cheated. You may end up serving an pathetic idiot dressed like a sadhu, then cry like a baby later. Please be very sincere and Krishna will always help you.
I remember a conversation between my spiritual master and a few students when the topic of bogus gurus came up. He said: "They must be there because so many people desire to be cheated". The point of the discussion was that if you want something other than the truth then that is what you will get. Bogus gurus are a dime a dozen and most certainly you will find one that will tell you what you want to hear, but a genuine spiritual master is very rare in this world as is a genuine disciple.
Q: If you were to give me some general advice , what would it be ?
A: Try to see the individual personality of the spirit soul in every type of body, human, animals, trees insects etc. If you can practice your devotion with that vision then you will not commit crimes against other souls who's only fault is that they have a different looking body than yours. Along with that meditation try to visualize that the lord also resides within every ones heart as a witness.
Q: Are the souls within all bodies the same ?
A: They are all individual souls. They are eternal and part and parcel of Krishna but due to their individual desires and previous activities are embodied accordingly. Regardless of what body covers the soul the individual soul remains a spirit particle and will continue on his journey body after body until he gets the great opportunity (human birth) to associate in full consciousness (satvik-intelligence) with a self realized guru.
Q: What can I do to help maintain that kind of vision?
A: Prepare your own food using satvik ingredients( fresh vegetables,fruits, grains etc).
Show respect to everyone.
See all women as your mother.
Lust, Anger and Greed are huge obstacles on the path toward god realization. These general practices will help free us from their grip.
Stay in constant association with Sri Krishna and his pure devotees by hearing, chanting, reading, serving, meditation etc.
Always chant the holy name like a child crying for his mother. The mother is the only shelter for the baby. The baby is totally dependant on the mother. In the same way, as devotees we recognize that we are completely dependant on the mercy of Krishna.
Questions sent to me via eMail ..... AJD
