Making Advancement in Spiritual Knowledge through Tolerance and Determination
The journey of self-realization is the highest goal of human life, but it is not without its challenges. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that anyone serious about making advancement in spiritual knowledge must be prepared to face impediments. Whether these obstacles come from the mind, the body, or other living entities, the spiritual aspirant must adopt a mood of tolerance and determination to continue their progress toward the Absolute Truth.
Necessity of Tolerance
Impediments are a natural part of any great endeavor, and spiritual life is no exception. The Bhagavad-gītā advises that we must not be deterred by these difficulties. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the history of Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was tormented by his powerful demonic father, as the ultimate example of maintaining spiritual focus through tolerance.
- For making advancement in spiritual knowledge, there may be many impediments, but we should be tolerant and continue our progress with determination.
- Hiranyakasipu tried to kill him in so many ways, but Prahlada tolerated him. So there may be many impediments to making advancement in spiritual knowledge, but we should be tolerant and continue our progress with determination.
Prerequisites for Advancement
Advancement is not automatic; Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it requires specific qualifications. Foremost among these are faith (śraddhā) and the willingness to perform austerity (tapasya). One must also abandon the competitive spirit against God, which blocks all true knowledge. The foundational realization is the understanding of one's identity as distinct from the material body.
- Those who have no faith, they are called faithless. So here it is clearly stated, sraddhavan labhate jnanam - Those who are faithful, they can make progress in this knowledge of spiritual advancement.
- Tapasya is required. Without tapasya you cannot make advancement in spiritual life, or life of knowledge.
- If anyone wants to compete with God and at the same time make advancement in spiritual knowledge, he will be frustrated.
- If we want to make progress towards spiritual advancement of knowledge, this preliminary knowledge we must have that, - I am not this body.
The Duty of Human Life
The human form is a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge. Access to Vedic literatures like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is a special facility provided to save humanity from remaining in ignorance. To neglect this facility is to waste the human life.
- Human being is so responsible. If he remains fool, then he loses the chance of life. Why these books are here? This Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Vedanta-Sutra, and so many nice books there are. Why? Just to make us advanced in knowledge.
- Krsna teaches people about this varnasrama-dharma so that all of human society can live peacefully by observing the principles for the four social divisions and four spiritual divisions (varna and asrama) and thus make advancement in spiritual knowledge.
Simplified Process for Kali-yuga
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes one more point regarding the path of knowledge: while it can be rigorous, the current age offers a special concession. Through the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, even those who are not intellectually inclined can achieve the perfection of knowledge simply by associating with devotees, hearing the chanting of the holy names, and eating prasādam.
- Such people worship the Age of Kali because in this age one can advance in spiritual knowledge and attain life's goal simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
- Those who are not so interested (in knowledge of spiritual life) may advance themselves and make perfection of their life, simply by hearing our Sankirtana Party, attending our temple activities with association with devotees, and eating Krishna prasadam.
Conclusion
Advancing in spiritual knowledge, Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts, is the only way to solve the problems of material existence. Although the path may present obstacles, the sincere seeker who remains tolerant, faithful, and determined will undoubtedly succeed. By taking shelter of the holy name and the instructions of the ācāryas, one can cross over all impediments and attain the ultimate goal of life.
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 Making Advancement in Spiritual Knowledge. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.