How to Transcend

(Compiled from notes on lectures of H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami)

In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 2.3.12

jnaanam yad aapratinivrtta-gunormi-cakram
aatma-prasaada uta yatra gunesv asangah
kaivalya-sammata-pathas tv atha bhakti-yogah
ko nirvrto hari-kathaasu ratim na kuryaat
"Transcendental knowledge in relation with the Supreme Lord Hari is knowledge resulting in the complete suspension of the waves and whirlpools of the material modes. Such knowledge is self-satisfying due to its being free from material attachment, and being transcendental it is approved by authorities. Who could fail to be attracted?"

To understand this transcendental knowledge we have to transcend. How ?
H.H. Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaja had told in one of his lectures in Rajkot
"Transcend is to go over. Just like a vehicle on the road is controlled by traffic signal of red, green and yellow we are controlled by the three modes of nature. Where as a helicopter is above the signal, so we have to catch the helicopter of devotional service. And for this we must regulate our activities. Srila Prabhupad has given us a perfect daily routine to do our sadhana by following the four basic regulative principles based on the four pillars of spiritual life.”

No illicit sex - to be clean [with body, mind and words]
No intoxication - to be austere [to take what is needed without greed and cruelty]
No meat eating - to be merciful [meateating cause ones kindness to fade away]
No gambling - to be truthful [to be honest]

In this Kali yuga only by following this, one can become kind, tolerant, humble, self-controlled and peaceful. This will help you to chant properly and offenselessly."

Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport of the above verse, "The first-class devotee of the Lord attains this stage by devotional service, but despite his loftiness, for the Lord’s satisfaction he may play the voluntary part of a preacher of the Lord’s glory and dovetail all into devotional service, even mundane interest, just to give the neophytes a chance to transform mundane interest into transcendental bliss."

Our beloved spiritual master H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj, despite his age travels so much out of his causeless mercy just to elevate all of us. He has no demands or expectations from us, rather he is more concerned that we perform our regular prescribed duties like taking care of family and children, performing our work immaculately and so on, so that we are well-placed and peaceful. He knows our limitations and gives us only those instructions which we can follow along with our mundane responsibilities. He often says, "Love your work, do your work immaculately well, bring up your children in a devotional atmosphere and teach them theistic conduct- that is Krsna consciousness." This is how he transforms our mundane activities.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.