Once we identify an emotion as unfavorable to our bhakti then what should we do?

This is an AI-generated transcript and it might not be fully accurate:

So, if we identify an emotion that is unfavorable for our bhakti, then we have to see that sometimes we may have to change the situation itself. One of the principles of bhakti is that we need not just association of devotees but also like-minded association. So, if somebody is very interested in studying Shastra and they are at a particular place where the whole focus is to build a temple and everybody has told to go out and raise funds for building a temple.

Now yes, that is also important service but if that service, it is first we have to build a temple so we raise funds, now we have to build a temple, we have to maintain the temple so we raise funds. And then a person who wants to study scripture is made to feel guilty for the desire to study scripture. Now, then they may decide that if I have the ability, I have the interest, I have the commitment to study scripture, then I need association of those who are more scholarly minded, those who are more scriptures, those who are Sajati, those who are like-minded.

So we don’t disrespect the devotees who may have another definition of success in bhakti but we may not be able to gel with that definition completely. So now, that does not mean we constantly keep going from one, rejecting one devotee, another devotee and rejecting this association, rejecting that association, you will never find a perfect community anywhere. Even like-minded devotees are not alike.

So there will be difference always but it is that we should overall feel inspired and energized to practice bhakti. And that’s why seeking like-minded association is important. So if in some situations, some unhealthy emotion is coming constantly for us, unpleasant emotion, unfavorable emotion is coming for us constantly, then we may need to change the situation itself.

In some other cases, we need to see how I can manage that emotion and push on so that I can go beyond that emotion. So for example, if you are fasting and we feel very uncomfortable while fasting, we may decide, okay, this is the poison in the beginning, the nectar will come thereafter. So then let me learn to push on, let me see maybe what I can do, how I can absorb myself so that I can push on.

So sometimes basically, when an unfavorable emotion is coming, sometimes we need to change the situation, sometimes we need to change our own focus, what we are paying attention to. Yes, I am feeling uncomfortable because of this, but there is a higher purpose being served through this. So if we shift our focus to something else, shift our focus to our purpose, then the emotion becomes a little more manageable.

Thank you. Hare Krishna.