The True Meaning of Following Sincerely in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In spiritual circles, the word "sincere" is often used loosely to describe someone with good intentions or emotional fervor. However, in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, sincerity has a very specific and practical definition. It is the active, determined endeavor to follow the instructions of the bona fide spiritual master and the predecessor ācāryas, without deviation, concoction, or superficial imitation. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that Kṛṣṇa is in the heart and can immediately see whether a person is genuinely trying to follow the process or merely making a show. This article explores the practical test of sincerity, the danger of artificial imitation, the factual spiritual experiences awakened by genuine practice, and the absolute protection guaranteed to the sincere soul.
The Practical Test of Sincerity
Sincerity in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is proven through action. It means strictly adhering to the regulative principles, chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra daily, and participating in the standard programs like maṅgala-ārati. Śrīla Prabhupāda compassionately notes that because conditioned souls carry heavy baggage from past material habits, occasional flaws may occur. However, if the endeavor is sincere and the mistakes are unintentional, the Supreme Lord readily excuses them and accepts the devotee's genuine effort.
- If you actually follow all of the regulative principles and chant 16 rounds avoiding the offenses, and attend the mangala arati and classes, then Krishna will see that you are sincerely trying to follow the real process of Krishna Consciousness.
- The members of this (Krsna conscious) movement should immediately and sincerely follow the processes already recommended - worshiping Lord Visnu by performing 24 hours kirtana, chanting HK maha-mantra and offering food to Lord Visnu.
- In the beginning we must be sincere, very sincere, to follow the rules and regulation. But due to our past habits, if there is some flaw, that is excused. Not intentionally.
- The perfect disciples of the acarya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.
Rejecting Imitation and "Show-Bottle" Spiritualism
A major pitfall on the spiritual path is the desire for cheap prestige. A truly sincere devotee understands their current position and executes their duties accordingly, rather than falsely imitating the advanced stages of the great sages. Furthermore, sincerity means recognizing the absolute necessity of the guru. One cannot artificially "jump over" the spiritual master to approach Kṛṣṇa directly. Those who bypass the authorized paramparā or present themselves falsely are simply practicing "show-bottle spiritualism" to cheat the public.
- One should not superficially imitate them (great sages), but should follow them sincerely in terms of the particular time and circumstances.
- Such a sincere person who follows this method (by carrying out his business without attachment) is far better situated than the false pretender who adopts show-bottle spiritualism to cheat the innocent public.
- You cannot jump over Krsna, neglecting guru. Then it is finished. If you want to jump over Krsna without favor of the guru. . . Krsna is not so easy. So these things should be very carefully observed. No offense. Sincerely follow.
- The Indians there are now coming to realize that they have been simply cheated by all the rascal swamis and yogis. So you must be sincere, always strictly following the principles and work with determination and patience.
Awakening Factual Spiritual Experience
When a devotee patiently and sincerely follows the authorized process, the results are scientifically predictable. The promises of the scriptures are not based on childish imagination or abstract theology; they are factual spiritual experiences. By seriously following the regulative principles and chanting without offense, the heart becomes purified. Eventually, the sincere practitioner awakens to genuine ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, manifesting symptoms that cannot be artificially produced.
- This (that Krsna refresh our heart) is not a concoction of childish imagination but a factual experience of spiritual realization. One who has sincerely followed the footsteps of Krsna or His bona fide servants has also realized this simple truth.
- If one is serious and sincerely follows the regulative principles and chants Hare Krsna, the time will come when the symptoms will appear. Tears will fill his eyes, he will be unable to chant the mahamantra distinctly, and his heart will throb in ecstasy.
- The sincere followers (of sanatana-dharma) are advised to accept a voluntary life of renunciation in order to achieve the desired goal of life.
The Guarantee of Protection and Success
Sincerity attracts the ultimate protection of the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his followers that if they sincerely push on the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement by following the footsteps of the predecessors, no material impediment can stop them. Furthermore, physical distance or the passage of time does not separate the guru and the disciple; as long as the disciple sincerely follows the instructions given, they remain eternally associated with their spiritual master.
- If you are sincere, if you follow the principles and push on this Krsna consciousness movement, nobody can kill you. You'll go forward, rest assured.
- Anyone who attempts to serve Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sincerely by following in His footsteps and following the instructions of the acaryas will successfully be able to preach the holy names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra all over the universe.
- If we remain very sincere and pure in following the line laid down by the previous great acaryas, this Krishna Consciousness Movement will undoubtedly be accepted throughout the world as the only religion.
- If you go on with your work sincerely, by following the footsteps of our predecessors, certainly our movement will be recognized by the people in general.
- You should know that you are always with me; because you are sincere servitor of Krishna and following my direction sincerely, so you are always with me.
Conclusion
Sincerity is the very lifeline of a devotee's spiritual existence. It is not defined by flawless perfection from the very beginning, but by the honest, undeviating determination to follow the instructions of the spiritual master to the best of one's ability. By rejecting the dangerous path of show-bottle spiritualism and avoiding the fatal mistake of jumping over the guru, the sincere soul attracts the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord. As Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees, it is through this practical, humble sincerity that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will successfully spread all over the world, and by which the individual devotee will awaken factual spiritual realization and remain eternally connected with him.
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 Following Sincerely. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.