Natural Tendency - Purifying Our Eternal Propensities
Because the living entity is a conscious, active spirit soul, it is impossible for it to exist without desires and inclinations. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the goal of spiritual life is not to artificially destroy our natural tendencies, but to purify them—shifting our inherent drive for enjoyment from mundane sense gratification to the eternal service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Material vs. Spiritual Tendency
The soul's search for pleasure is completely natural, as its original nature is full of bliss. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that while our true spiritual tendency is to enjoy life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, our identification with the material body perverts this drive, causing us to chase the temporary illusions of the material world.
- Because we are spiritual entities, our natural tendency is to enjoy life. Spiritual entities means by nature, anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12); by nature, they want to enjoy life.
- One's original natural tendency is to act in Krsna consciousness because one's real nature is spiritual.
- In this way the conditioned soul living within the body forgets his self-interest because he identifies himself with the body. Because the body is material, his natural tendency is to be attracted by the varieties of the material world.
- This tendency to be battered by the waves of maya can be changed to one's original, natural tendency, which is spiritual, when the living entity comes to understand that he is eternally krsna-dasa, a servant of God, Krsna.
The Base Material Urges
In the conditioned state, the soul's inclinations are dragged down to the lowest animalistic behaviors. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that no one needs to be educated in how to pursue sex, meat-eating, or intoxication; these are automatic, natural tendencies of the material body that the Vedic scriptures seek to restrict.
- Anyone who is addicted to vyavaya, sex life, amisa, meat-eating, madya-seva, intoxication... That is the natural tendency of anyone in this material world. Vyavayamisa-madya-seva nityah. So spiritual advancement means to give up this amisa-madya-seva.
- There is no educational system that, "You become . . . take LSD like this." No. That is a natural tendency. To become intoxicated, to take liquor, LSD, ganja, pan, oh, very easily you can learn.
- The conditioned soul has a natural tendency toward sex and meat-eating; consequently the sastras grant them some concessions.
- Naturally there is tendency - a man wants woman; a woman wants man. This is the material world, pumsam striya mithuni-bhavam, sex impetus. That is natural. But when they are united, that impact becomes very, very tight. It is very difficult to give it up.
Reviving the Original Position
Every living entity possesses an innate desire to love and serve. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that instead of wasting this propensity on temporary material relationships, we must intelligently redirect our natural loving tendency back to its original source: the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- One's natural tendency is to serve because a living entity is an eternal servant of God.
- Because we do not know Vasudeva, Krsna, we have got natural tendency to love, but we do not know where to place love. If we place our loving tendency unto Krsna, Vasudeva, then that tendency becomes fruitful and perfection.
- If one returns to his original, natural tendency in the human form of life by understanding the perfect knowledge given by Krsna Himself in the Vedic literature, one's life is successful.
- One should be enlightened in the tenets of Bhagavad-gita and accept the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that one give up all natural tendencies for material service under different names and take to the service of the Lord.
Working According to Nature and Preaching
Practical spiritual life requires engaging our unique psychophysical nature in Kṛṣṇa's service. Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that as a devotee advances and purifies their nature, their ultimate natural tendency evolves into a compassionate desire to preach and distribute Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others.
- Lord Krsna said, "We can actually see that one becomes busy according to the natural tendency of his work; and according to that natural tendency, all living entities - whether human beings or demigods - achieve their respective results."
- If a person is employed according to his natural tendency, he becomes successful. He becomes successful. But if you give some employment, just like to put a cart before a horse, like that, no, that will not be successful.
- When you become advanced in Krsna conscious, then your natural tendency will be how to preach. So long you do not develop this tendency for preaching, simply remain in kanistha-adhikari, you do not know how to deliver others.
- Sankirtana is our life and soul. You have got a natural tendency for these Sankirtana performances. I have seen this personally. You can do it very nicely. For you the best thing will be to form a Sankirtana Party for yourself and travel all over the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the struggle of material existence is simply the misdirection of the soul's innate propensities. Because the living entity is an active, spiritual spark, its original natural tendency is to experience bliss through the loving service of the Supreme Lord. When covered by material illusion, however, this pure inclination degenerates into the automatic, base urges for illicit sex, meat-eating, and intoxication. The Vedic process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not attempt the impossible task of destroying our tendencies; rather, it offers the perfect method for purifying them. By studying authorized scriptures like the Bhagavad-gītā and redirecting our inherent need to love and serve toward Kṛṣṇa, we cure the disease of material attachment. Moreover, by engaging our specific occupational tendencies in the Lord's service, our lives become instantly successful. Ultimately, as the heart becomes fully cleansed, the advanced devotee naturally develops the highest spiritual tendency—an irrepressible, compassionate urge to preach and perform saṅkīrtana, guiding other suffering souls back to their original, blissful constitutional position.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Natural Tendency. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.