Just pray for their betterment and give them maha prasadam when ever possible. This will definitely help them.
as far as feeling odd is concerned, as Manoj pr has told, its good to be odd doing GOOD things than be a common ignorant fool. You have made a good choice and stick on to it. If u feel very bad of being off.... then go to temple and see hundreds of devotees following what you and me are doing. That will inspire a lot.
Dear devotee I also had a job where I had to go to meetings at conference halls. There maybe 20 people there .all the bosses. I would make special arangements for my meals with the catering staff. I would have many fresh and steamed veg with rice and pour fragrent ghee on it and offer it in my mind. Seeing the huge plate of such healthy food and smelling the ghee they all glared. On their plates was all this discusting lookig meat. The MD inquired , how come you get all the best food? I replied. I'm a vegetarian and I care for my health so I make my own arangements. They were very impressed. I am very confident and am not bothered what others think. I kept short hair and shika always. My neck beads were always visible. And I did my job. It was a big compay and I was well known and liked. Once one of the bosses introduced me to anther boss from outsde. This is John, he,s our Hare Krsna guy. After a few years they gave me an award for being one of the best people in the company. My devotee wife hung it on the wall at home. I see myself as Krsna,s devotee and I always try to show others how to behave in an exemplary way.
Never feel low about your pursuit and diet. it is the purest you have adopted. You (even I) may not be able to convince others why you are like that, but pray for others and for yourself also to affirm your faith and move ahead. Actually more and more chanting keeps us firm in the path, gives tremendous confidence at the same time keeps us down to earth and humble. Being confident here should not take us to higher superiority complex level. Constant chanting, keeping all this in mind is important.
Only following diet, or only chanting or only reading or only service will not do... all should go hand in hand as Srila Prabhupad says.
When the feeling of oddness comes to you, take it as a chance for you to reveal to the world such a thing called chanting and Krishna Bhakthi. 'I may be odd, but let people notice this oddness..' feel like that. If you detach yourself, you will be going against our very principle. Keep everyone close to you, love all your non devotee friends, show them how one can be a sea of love and calmness. This is where you can prove yourself better. It is not for self pride I am telling. Your success is your sadhana success.
Replies
Just pray for their betterment and give them maha prasadam when ever possible. This will definitely help them.
as far as feeling odd is concerned, as Manoj pr has told, its good to be odd doing GOOD things than be a common ignorant fool. You have made a good choice and stick on to it. If u feel very bad of being off.... then go to temple and see hundreds of devotees following what you and me are doing. That will inspire a lot.
hare krishna
Jai Shri Krishna..
I'm now so hungry for that plate of steaming food with ghee..mmm a big thumbs up Jagadatma Prabhuji!!
Beautiful reply Jagadatma das prabhu,
So nice to read. Agree with you.
Radhika mataji,
Never feel low about your pursuit and diet. it is the purest you have adopted. You (even I) may not be able to convince others why you are like that, but pray for others and for yourself also to affirm your faith and move ahead. Actually more and more chanting keeps us firm in the path, gives tremendous confidence at the same time keeps us down to earth and humble. Being confident here should not take us to higher superiority complex level. Constant chanting, keeping all this in mind is important.
Only following diet, or only chanting or only reading or only service will not do... all should go hand in hand as Srila Prabhupad says.
When the feeling of oddness comes to you, take it as a chance for you to reveal to the world such a thing called chanting and Krishna Bhakthi. 'I may be odd, but let people notice this oddness..' feel like that. If you detach yourself, you will be going against our very principle. Keep everyone close to you, love all your non devotee friends, show them how one can be a sea of love and calmness. This is where you can prove yourself better. It is not for self pride I am telling. Your success is your sadhana success.
Try this.
Other devotees, please correct me if I am wrong.
Hare Krishna
Humbly yours
Meena
Jai Shri Krishna..
Godly persons are always the "odd"one out.. Look at all the Godly persons throughout the history, you are not alone.