08.07 – “Now and then” or “from now on”?
We all have had hobbies. Things that we do ‘now and then’ after we have dealt with the more serious, pressing and unavoidable aspects of our life.
Many people treat spirituality also as a hobby – something they do as a change, as a stress-reliever, as a pious recreation. Given the rampant and strident materialism of our times, whatever way we pay attention to our spiritual side is good. However, such intermittent spiritual practice doesn’t tap our full potential.
We are all spiritual beings who as parts of God have godly qualities. As long as we stay captivated by our material side, our spiritual side remains under-utilized, and we stay vulnerable to passing material impulses and infatuations. Because such desires are by their very nature unsteady and unreliable, they often prevent us from achieving our full potential – not just spiritually but also materially.
Gita wisdom urges us to integrate spirituality into our lives not intermittently but permanently. The Bhagavad-gita (08.07) recommends that we fix our mind on Krishna constantly and do our prescribed duties.
We may wonder: if I think of Krishna constantly, how can I do my worldly duties?
Understanding the answer highlights the unique feature of Krishna consciousness in contrast with any hobby – it can permeate our entire life. As Krishna is the source and sustainer of everything, we can connect everything with him by cultivating devotional consciousness. This enables us to practice spirituality not just as a hobby, but as a passion and mission that pervades our entire life. The more we hold on to Krishna through remembrance and service, the richer the returns in terms of fulfillment and achievement both in this life as well as the next.
All those wonderful returns begin with our resolution to commit ourselves: not “now and then”, but “from now on.”
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Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krishna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.