View source for Attitude - The Tendency to Surrender or Rebel

Our experience of life—whether it is bound by anxiety or liberated in spiritual joy—is entirely dictated by our internal consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings systematically analyze the nature of the living entity's attitude. He exposes the destructive, egocentric mentalities that keep the soul trapped in the cycle of birth and death, while beautifully illuminating the submissive, loving attitudes that instantly re-establish our eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.

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=== The Egocentric Attitude of False Ego ===

When the soul falls into the material world, its pure consciousness becomes contaminated by false ego. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this false ego generates an arrogant, exploitative attitude toward the world. Deluded by the bodily concept of life, the conditioned soul foolishly claims proprietorship over temporary things, leading to an atheistic, defiant posture that is ultimately crushed by the reality of death.

* [[Vaniquotes:False ego is typified by two attitudes: "I am this body" (ahanta), and "Everything in my bodily relationships belongs to me" (mamata)|False ego is typified by two attitudes: "I am this body" (ahanta), and "Everything in my bodily relationships belongs to me" (mamata).]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am God. I can do anything. This is demonic attitude. Completely being dependent, as soon as the death comes, immediately we have to leave this position. "Sir, let me stay for one hour more." "No, not even a minute." This is our position|I am God. I can do anything. This is demonic attitude. Completely being dependent, as soon as the death comes, immediately we have to leave this position. "Sir, let me stay for one hour more." "No, not even a minute." This is our position.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When lust & hankering are unsatisfied, the element of krodha appears, which is the formidable enemy of the conditioned soul. This most sinful passion is represented as ahankara, or the false egocentric attitude of thinking oneself to be all in all|When lust and hankering are unsatisfied, the element of krodha appears, which is the formidable enemy of the conditioned soul. This most sinful passion is represented as ahankara, or the false egocentric attitude of thinking oneself to be all in all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Modern civilization's attitude is, "Let me suffer. Let me cover it by some intoxication, that's all." But as soon as the intoxication is over, the miseries return|Modern civilization's attitude is, "Let me suffer. Let me cover it by some intoxication, that's all." But as soon as the intoxication is over, the miseries return.]]

=== The Marginal Potency and Surrender ===

The philosophical root of our current condition lies in our constitutional nature as the marginal energy of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that because we are marginal, we inherently possess the free will to adopt one of two attitudes: to humbly serve the Supreme, or to rebel and try to be independent. The moment we abandon our rebellious stance and adopt the attitude of a servant, the illusion of ''māyā'' dissipates.

* [[Vaniquotes:The living entities are also called marginal potency because they have, potentially, two attitudes - namely the tendency to surrender unto Krsna and the tendency to become independent of Him|The living entities are also called marginal potency because they have, potentially, two attitudes - namely the tendency to surrender unto Krsna and the tendency to become independent of Him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Don't claim that there is no God. There is God, and He is great, and you are small. Then what is your position? You have to serve Krsna. This is simple truth. So that rebellious attitude is called maya|Don't claim that there is no God. There is God, and He is great, and you are small. Then what is your position? You have to serve Krsna. This is simple truth. So that rebellious attitude is called maya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unless one worships the lotus feet of Krsna, he again has to descend to the material platform. The ideal attitude should be - I am Your eternal servitor. Please let me somehow engage in Your service|Unless one worships the lotus feet of Krsna, he again has to descend to the material platform. The ideal attitude should be - I am Your eternal servitor. Please let me somehow engage in Your service.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The attitude of the disciple should always be to satisfy the bona fide spiritual master. Then it will be very easy for him to understand spiritual knowledge|The attitude of the disciple should always be to satisfy the bona fide spiritual master. Then it will be very easy for him to understand spiritual knowledge.]]

=== The Purifying Power of the Service Attitude ===

Material society places immense value on social status, wealth, and intellectual achievements. However, in spiritual life, these designations are meaningless. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that simply by maintaining a sincere, submissive attitude of service toward Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, any person—regardless of their background—is immediately elevated to the perfectional stage of life.

* [[Vaniquotes:Even if one is not a perfect brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra but takes to the service of the Lord, not caring for the perfection of his social position, he becomes a perfect human being simply by developing the attitude of service to the Supreme Lord|Even if one is not a perfect brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra but takes to the service of the Lord, not caring for the perfection of his social position, he becomes a perfect human being simply by developing the attitude of service to the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is actually better to be a sudra than to be a brahmana and not develop the service attitude, because that attitude alone satisfies the Lord|It is actually better to be a sudra than to be a brahmana and not develop the service attitude, because that attitude alone satisfies the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna is called ajitah - unconquerable - for no one can conquer God, but according to SB, one with this attitude ("I am Your eternal servitor. Please let me somehow engage in Your service") easily conquers the Supreme|Krsna is called ajitah - unconquerable - for no one can conquer God, but according to Srimad Bhagavatam, one with this attitude ("I am Your eternal servitor. Please let me somehow engage in Your service") easily conquers the Supreme.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Your attitude of determination to progress in your transcendental knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna and perfect your devotional service to Him, is very praiseworthy|Your attitude of determination to progress in your transcendental knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna and perfect your devotional service to Him, is very praiseworthy.]]

=== The Transcendental Attitudes of Pure Love ===

As a devotee advances in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, their attitude transcends mere duty and awe. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes that in the supreme spiritual realm of Vṛndāvana, the loving moods (''rasas'') between Kṛṣṇa and His devotees are so intimate that the respectful, reverential attitude is entirely discarded. A pure devotee in this state sees nothing but the Lord and interacts with Him in pure, spontaneous affection.

* [[Vaniquotes:A fully Krsna conscious person, although situated in this material world, does not see anything but Krsna anywhere & everywhere. This is the sign of a maha-bhagavata. The maha-bhagavata sees Krsna everywhere because of his attitude of pure love for Krsna|A fully Krsna conscious person, although situated in this material world, does not see anything but Krsna anywhere and everywhere. This is the sign of a maha-bhagavata. The maha-bhagavata sees Krsna everywhere because of his attitude of pure love for Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the attitude of the denizens of Vrndavana, such as Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasoda, is to be found the ideal transcendental concept of becoming the father and mother of Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead|In the attitude of the denizens of Vrndavana, such as Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yasoda, is to be found the ideal transcendental concept of becoming the father and mother of Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:At such a (further advanced) time, the devotee is fully convinced that Krsna is a friend and cannot at all be dissatisfied if the devotee lives with Him on an equal level. This understanding is called visrambha, that is, devoid of a respectful attitude|At such a (further advanced) time, the devotee is fully convinced that Krsna is a friend and cannot at all be dissatisfied if the devotee lives with Him on an equal level. This understanding is called visrambha, that is, devoid of a respectful attitude.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The particular loving mood or attitude relished in the exchange of love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called rasa, or mellow|The particular loving mood or attitude relished in the exchange of love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called rasa, or mellow.]]

=== Conclusion ===

In conclusion, the entirety of spiritual life is a process of rectifying our contaminated material attitude. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that as long as we hold onto the defiant, egocentric mentality of trying to be the lords of material nature, we will be forced to suffer. However, the moment we invoke our marginal free will to surrender, sincerely adopting the attitude of an eternal servant, the doors to spiritual realization open. By cultivating this humble service mood, we can ultimately enter into the supreme, intimate exchanges of pure love with Lord Kṛṣṇa.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Attitude|Attitude]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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