Progress in Spiritual Life Cannot Be Obstructed by Any Material Condition
In the material world, success is highly dependent on favorable circumstances. A businessman needs capital, a politician needs votes, and a student needs a quiet environment. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that progress in spiritual life is independent of all such external factors. Because the soul is distinct from the body, spiritual advancement cannot be checked by poverty, disease, social status, or even physical torture. The only requirement is the sincere desire to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.
Example of Prahlāda Mahārāja
The classic example of this principle is Prahlāda Mahārāja. Even before his birth, while existing as an embryo within the womb of his mother, he listened to the instructions of the sage Nārada Muni. Despite his undeveloped body and the helpless condition of the womb, his spiritual consciousness was fully awakened. Later, when his father subjected him to severe torture, his progress remained unimpeded.
- When he was in the womb of his mother, Prahlada listened to the words of Narada Muni. One cannot imagine how the baby in embryo could hear Narada, but this is spiritual life; progress in spiritual life cannot be obstructed by any material condition.
- In spite of any suffering, you can make progress in spiritual life. Just like Prahlada Maharaja himself. His father put him into so many suffering conditions, but he was not impeded - he made spiritual progress.
- Apratihata means in spite of your so-called suffering, the suffering will be reduced or there will be no suffering. But in spite of suffering, you can make progress in spiritual life.
- When something uncommon happens in one's progressive spiritual life, it should be understood to be incurred by ajnata-sukrti, or pious activities beyond one's knowledge.
Direct Perception of Advancement
Unlike other yoga systems (karma, jñāna, dhyāna), where the practitioner is often unsure of their standing, bhakti-yoga offers tangible proof of advancement. Just as a person eating a meal feels two things simultaneously—satisfaction and the cessation of hunger—a devotee feels spiritual bliss and a cessation of material desires. However, the final exam is at the time of death.
- By bhakti-yoga one can become directly aware of his progress in spiritual life, just as a person who eats can understand that his hunger is satisfied.
- In other practices - like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and dhyana-yoga - one may not be confident about his progress, but in bhakti-yoga one can become directly aware of his progress in spiritual life.
- According to a Bengali proverb, whatever spiritual progress one makes in life will be tested at the time of death.
- When a disciple very perfectly makes progress in spiritual life, this gladdens the spiritual master, who then also smiles in ecstasy, thinking, "How successful my disciple has become!"
Practical Impediments
While external conditions cannot stop a devotee, internal negligence can. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that maintaining bad habits, specifically the four sinful activities (illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, gambling), destroys one's good behavior (sad-ācāra) and halts progress. Even overeating or excessive sleep can be a block.
- Sad-acara lost means your progress in spiritual life is lost. Therefore we are stressing so much on the four points: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication, no gambling. This is the way.
- To be too fat is not very good for spiritually advanced life. One should reduce because if one becomes fat it is an impediment to progress in spiritual understanding. One should not eating too much, sleeping too much or remain in a comfortable position.
- In this way he (Prthu Maharaja) lived in the forest and underwent severe austerity, especially in regards to eating. In other words, overeating is not at all recommended for one who wants to progress in spiritual life.
- Forget sleeping, eating, mating. This is all material necessities. If you increase these things, then you cannot make any progress in spiritual life.
Necessity of Humility and Determination
The fuel for spiritual progress is humility mixed with determination. Following the instruction of Lord Caitanya, one must be lower than the straw in the street. Without this attitude, the false ego blocks the path. Furthermore, one must be determined to worship the ācāryas and strictly follow their instructions.
- Unless one is meek and humble, to make progress in spiritual life is very difficult.
- Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us, trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna - One should be more tolerant than the tree and humbler than the grass to make progress in spiritual life.
- Steadiness means that one should be very determined to make progress in spiritual life. Without such determination, one cannot make tangible progress.
- Acaryopasana. We have to worship the acaryas. That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita for making progress in spiritual life.
Conclusion
The path back to Godhead is open to everyone, regardless of their material situation. Whether one is a gṛhastha (householder) or sannyāsī, living in a temple or a forest, progress is assured if one worships the ācāryas and strictly follows the process of chanting the holy names. The only barrier is our own unwillingness to surrender.
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 Progress in Spiritual Life. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.