Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples on the Art of Real Satisfaction
The entire material world is driven by a restless, never-ending struggle to satisfy the temporary demands of the mind and body. To rescue his followers from this exhausting cycle, Śrīla Prabhupāda actively trains his disciples in the supreme art of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He reveals that true, permanent satisfaction is not found by increasing material facilities, but by actively shifting the center of one's enjoyment from oneself to the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master.
Shifting the Center of Enjoyment
The core philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness demands a complete revolution in consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the fundamental difference between conditioned life and liberated life lies simply in whose senses we are trying to please.
- That is Krsna consciousness. To satisfy the senses of Krsna. Not satisfy my senses.
- In our conditioned life we are trying to satisfy our senses, and in our Krsna consciousness life we are satisfying to please Krsna. That is the difference. So my work is not stopped, but the goal of life is changed. That is liberation.
- That should be the motto of our life, that "I shall not do anything for my sense satisfaction, but I shall do everything for the satisfaction of the Supreme."
- Just like a person taking lunch, he will feel satisfied of hunger and strength, himself. Similarly, the more you serve Krishna, you will forget material hankerings and get spiritual strength. This is the test.
The Duty of Spiritual Leadership
Managing a global spiritual movement composed of volunteers requires immense care and personalism. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs temple presidents and leaders that their primary duty is to keep the devotees peacefully engaged, deeply cared for, and spiritually satisfied.
- All the devotees should be satisfied. They have given their lives to Krishna, so we should see they are always happy. Their service is voluntary. It is not that we can force anyone to do anything. If we do they will go away and that is a great loss.
- You (the Temple President) must make sure that all the devotees in your temple are always satisfied as far as possible by being happy in spiritual life.
- I think there is more than sufficient engagement for everyone. We have got so much to do. We have to deal with so many men with different personalities. So kindly utilize their energies and at the same time keep them satisfied. That is leadership.
- Become yourself very convinced of this Krishna philosophy, be always preaching and trying to understand some basic points from different angle of vision, keep the devotees in your temple always satisfied and jolly, and that will be your success.
Simple Living and High Thinking
Modern civilization constantly invents new artificial needs, trapping humanity in a web of over-endeavor. Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his followers to reject this exhaustive lifestyle, establishing farm communities and temple standards where devotees learn to be fully satisfied with simple, natural living.
- The human form of life is meant for saving time for spiritual cultivation. We should be satisfied with the bare necessities of life, and the time should be saved to cultivate self-realization. That is the basic principle of Vedic civilization.
- We are restricting, that "Don't work hard like hog and dog or animals. Just satisfy your minimal necessities of life, save time and advance in spiritual understanding." This is our mission.
- There is an English proverb - "yielding to the new" But the Vedic civilization is "Do not try to invent some order. That will create disturbance. Be satisfied. Whatever you have got by nature's way, be satisfied. Don't spoil your time. Save time for Krsna Consciousness."
- Our farm project is they should be satisfied with simple living.
The Secret of Spiritual Success
The ultimate goal of bhakti-yoga is not an abstract meditation, but an active, loving reciprocation with the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the ultimate secret: because the living entity is an integral part of the Supreme, attempting to please oneself always fails, whereas satisfying Kṛṣṇa and the ācāryas immediately invokes profound spiritual joy.
- I get great pleasure when I see my own disciples from America going to far off places leaving their rich nation with all facilities and their families, to preach. The secret of success in spiritual life is to satisfy one's spiritual master.
- Our business is to satisfy the acaryas and Krsna. If they are pleased then we know our work is successful.
- Please do therefore everything with enthusiasm. That will satisfy me, and Krsna also, and as a result of which you will be satisfied transcendentally - this is our position.
- If the real person is decorated, the reflection is also decorated. Similarly, reality is Krsna. If you serve Krsna, then we are reflection. Krsna being satisfied, immediately we become satisfied.
Conclusion
To properly advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a devotee must completely abandon the futile attempt to independently enjoy the material world. By instituting strict yet joyful standards within his society, Śrīla Prabhupāda expertly trains his disciples to find their absolute fulfillment in simple living, mutual cooperation, and dedicated service. He proves practically that when a soul gives up personal ambition and agrees to satisfy the desires of Kṛṣṇa and the bona fide spiritual master, they instantly awaken to a life of unbounded transcendental satisfaction.
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 Our Satisfaction (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.