From Stress to Hope to Bliss
I don't know how others do it who do not have Krishna. Oh, I give all respect to other paths, but this is not an interfaith post, it is a post about Krishna Consciousness.
When I am feeling down, I think upon Krishna, and I feel better, plus more attached to Him. When I am feeling disappointed that my kids did not do yada yada, I remember Krishna [and pray for them too], also increasing attached feelings to Krishna. When I feel old and can't do what I use to, and until you have this happen you may not fully understand, but then I focus on Krishna, and such relief comes over me. When I feel stuck in the boonies with electric outages etc, yet don't want to move to a city, I think of Krishna's transcendental form, trust Him to take charge, and I get hope.
Some therapist's and Metaphysicist's instruct that such pain comes from attachment to a specific outcome, or person doing yada yada, therefore just let go, and you will feel good again. This is true, to a point. Certainly there can be issues we carry around that we do not need to, but have become attached to or accustomed to carrying on our shoulders. We may need to mentally shake ourselves to notice them, then let them go. But what of others? How does one let go of their child who is in trouble? (Mine's not, just giving an example). Or their mother who has Cancer etc? (Again, not my current situation). It feels selfish to give up in such cases.
So I wondered, maybe there is another way. As I increased thoughts of Krishna, automatically increased was attachment for Him, and automatically decreased was the level of worry over loved ones, or specific problems. Let us also remember that Srila Prabhupada said many generations both past and future benefit from us being a devotee. Not to go either extreme with that, simply it can be added to everything else here for hope.
I also offer prayer and/or quantum touch [similar to reiki] for them when practical to do so, but that is optional. Do always make sure to end everything with attaching and connecting to Krishna more and more. This is not just talk. I can FEEL it. Anyone can.
And if the stress is too high, or you are just too tired, or nervous, or etc, simply gaze at a painting of Krishna and get lost in this. Ahhhhh Please know, part of this is about relaxing at least a little, or not fighting the process.
Since we live in this world, problems are something we can't fully escape and will intermittently have to go through over and over. That's fine, because spiritual relief from it is real! Before we make it to Krishnaloka, while living in this material world, we will be influenced by mayadevi or our karma. 'Stuff' will come our way; whether we like or dislike it, does not give any influence over it happening. However, there is an out. Srila Prabhupada explained, the only real freedom is to make a choice: Do we want to serve maya? Or do we want to serve Krishna? This is our real freedom of choice. It's so easy to choose Krishna, and it can start merely by looking upon His transcendental form and appreciating this wonderful form. His body is not material like ours, it is fully spiritual. Take shelter of Him, relish paintings of Him.
Each time we take the mind off worries, including big ones for as long as possible, and place Krishna within the mind, in our thoughts or view, in our hearts, how sweet He looks, how incense swirls around the deity, how His hair is dark and curly, notice His garland, etc - we will feel more free. It works for everyone.
Do you have a loved one with a heart condition? By all means get them all the medical help of any sort possible! Next but only if up to it, say a short prayer for them. Then pray for yourself / put Krishna in your minds-eye. His form, His pastimes, His written name, whatever works for you. Allow all else to fall away as you connect yourself to Him. That is yoga, to yoke up or connect to God/Krishna. And it is tangible!
Getting kicked out of your apartment? Work intelligently to either cause that problem to cease, or find a new one fast BUT if possible also pray it to Krishna's lotus feet. Then, especially take time out for you and picture or look at dear, beautiful Lord Krishna, how you may serve Him by offering a flower, arotika, etc - notice how you feel some happiness again.
Lost your job? Do everything within your power to get a new one, try to hold no ill-will against anyone who you suspect or know caused you to loose your job - or at least put them out of your mind and do not waste life airs thinking about them, thus karmically entangling you with them. NOW it is time to place beautiful paintings of Krishna within your vision, putting full focus on these!
How does one place pictures of God/Krishna within their mind? I've been trying to explain it as I go. To simplify: Just look at some of His pictures, that is the start of Him now in your mind. Or remember some pic's you have seen in the past, again, instantly, He is in your mind.
That can be increased as you allow yourself to, as the saying goes, "Get into it." :) We may have old habits of remaining attached to a problem, or brain pathways of years may go toward the negative. It will take some undoing though that is not so difficult this way. Just relax, and if relaxing is hard, simply tell your mind that you can always return to thinking of it later [because the mind is often worried it can not do so, therefore this helps it get calm], but for right now you are going to think of Krishna. If necessary, tell the mind to shut up, sit down, and be quiet. LOL Or however you wish. Anyway, consciously allow yourself to go deeper, to become more absorbed in thoughts of details in His picture. But even if you can't, doing just the basics of gazing at artwork of His sublime transcendental form is all you really need to do! He is nondifferent from His 100% spiritual form.
You can visualize Him because after all, He is real and not some made-up visualization. His form etc can be found in ancient scriptures traceable all the way back to the Original speaker. Anyway, then notice stress lifts, feel hope return, even feel some happiness, bliss, and especially feel you are now more a part of Krishna's eternal family as His servant. Isn't that the way you rather live? :) I know I would.
Issues will come and go because we are living in the material world. This is not where we belong. We think it is, or are use to being here. However, we came from KrishnaLoka therefore we are foreigners here. That is why we die. Like a fish out of water can not breathe, or someone from another planet coming here may not be able to live under our sun etc, similarly we can only temporarily live here because we are foreigners.
And one way to remind us of that we are foreigners are the various odd issues, unexpected problems, and etc, that arise during this most difficult of all 4 yugas, kali yuga, in which we took birth. As we get these reminders, let us use them to think upon Lord Krishna. Of course, think upon Him at any time. Just also, during problematic times we may forget. Simultaneously, during good times we may also forget. Let us practice to always remember Krishna.
One Can Worship Krishna Within The Mind - Prabhupada
Maya's job is to pull us down again, thus problems will arise. However, now that we know what to do, it's our job to do it correctly, as correctly brings bliss. And it is so simple. Keep it simple. Think of Krishna or gaze at His picture, allow yourself to become attached to His paintings [Prabhupada said they are windows into the Spiritual Sky!].
Problems or stress can hit any time of day or night, as can the way you feel. Therefore most likely, your chanting is done at another time. But if you want, you can add calling aloud to Him: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
You can envision the written mantra in different colors, different font, etc as you chant it aloud. Get creative, get into it :), get relief, and go BTG (Back To Godhead).
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