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BHAKTI TIRTHA SWAMI ON RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS

BHAKTI TIRTHA SWAMI ON RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS

For someone like Bhakti Tirtha Swami, karma has very little to do with his sojourn in the material world. A person who works on behalf of God functions according to different laws altogether. Depending on just how devoted to God they are, such persons are not forced to take birth, nor do they die because of a predetermined action/reaction schema. Rather, they come into this world to help others, to share love of God and to encourage people to raise their consciousness. They are emissaries of the Divine, and their business in the material world, though externally appearing much like anyone else's, is of an entirely different nature. So, too, is their death of a different nature. They leave when they hear the call of the Lord, when His divine flute signals them that there is work to do somewhere else.
Black Lotus, Chapter 9

Try to visualize the torment that others immersed in awful situations are forced to undergo. Meditate on the kind of love needed to willingly accept their particular lot. If we are cowards, we cannot think about assuming another's despair. To make such a compassionate action requires not mere religiosity, but a deep level of spirituality. Readiness to make any sacrifice in order to raise the level of consciousness on the planet requires immense spiritual maturity and a powerful sense of spiritual warriorship.
Surrender, Chapter 3

Try to visualize the torment that others immersed in awful situations are forced to undergo. Meditate on the kind of love needed to willingly accept their particular lot. If we are cowards, we cannot think about assuming another's despair. To make such a compassionate action requires not mere religiosity, but a deep level of spirituality. Readiness to make any sacrifice in order to raise the level of consciousness on the planet requires immense spiritual maturity and a powerful sense of spiritual warriorship.
Surrender, Chapter 3

It is time for people to stop prostituting religion and to become truly spiritual. Furthermore, it is time for people to stop hiding behind institutions, which is just another form of sectarianism. It is time for people to stop doubting their own prophets and to stop interpreting what their prophets said and did. It is time to take the words of the prophets as a genuine spiritual connection and to live according to those great orthodox traditions, which have been given by divine intervention to raise human consciousness. Seeing impotence and hypocrisy everywhere, people generally feel less and less willing to align themselves spiritually. Yet, as we remain chaste to our traditions and willing to make sacrifices, we too can free others from the bondage of material existence while at the same time purchasing our own freedom.
Surrender, Chapter 3

Question: Earlier you talked about receiving assistance from higher abodes. Are you indicating that as we lift our consciousness as a community and become more compassionate, then more help will be available to us?
Answer: Yes. Our future on the planet, individual and collective, is based ultimately on consciousness, which is monitored by agents of the Lord. It is interesting that most of the communes that have lasted internationally were started by a leader who was receptive to guidance from a higher being about the geographical location of the community, about what kind of practices to engage in, and about what sort of lifestyles to encourage. Those which came together merely as the result of good intentions later fell apart due to personality problems or a lack of solid infrastructure. Due to collective karma and connections from previous lives, certain souls come together to form communities. Due to consciousness, those in geographically safer environments may sometimes meet death faster than those living in a so-called risky area, while some souls who physically lose their bodies will be brought back to life. The prophet Isaiah, Lord Jesus, and certain demigods possess mystic powers to raise the dead. If we do the necessary in our physical environments, but ultimately depend on the Lord for the final outcome, we will attract great protection. We must do the needful, of course. It is foolish to think that we can just sit and meditate or retreat to the mountains or the bush and expect to be provided for.
We are both the recipients of mercy from various agents of the higher realms as well as targets of confusion and devastation from agents of the lower realms. Some souls have descended from the higher realms in order to raise the collective consciousness, and to lay the groundwork for a more harmonious and balanced environment. They easily attract those souls who are trying to be ethical, and who are aspiring to improve the conditions of others. The majority of souls on this planet are neutral: they can be influenced for good or evil depending on the dominant mindset permeating their surroundings. Due to these conditions, a massive subtle war is being waged as we speak between agents from both the higher and lower realms -- a war to influence the environment, to win over as many personalities as possible. While most people attempt to live in environments which they consider safer according to their elementary knowledge of external factors, safety is determined by consciousness.
These are very delicate years in which people are being aligned according to different connections. Therefore, it is of crucial importance how we use our time, what kinds of places we visit, and what sorts of vibrations we choose to hear. It is especially important to keep focused. Many souls who have accumulated so many deposits in their spiritual bank accounts find themselves subject to heavy attack. Many spiritualists undergo a dark night of the soul during which they question the whole conception of a God. Some emerge with their faith intact, although institutions they depended upon no longer exist, or techniques they relied upon previously are simply not effective any more. Many souls can be lost if not guided properly. Wounded soldiers must receive reinforcements.
The armies of maya are working overtime in these very critical periods to prevent as many people as possible from cashing in their pious credits. As you start leaving maya's camp, a great effort is made to snatch you back. If you intend to seriously intensify your spiritual commitments, expect that your life will be struck by more incoherence. You will face great challenges, at least for a certain period, until you have stabilized yourself.
Surrender, Chapter 3

Sometimes devotees inquire, "How can I know if I'm making spiritual progress?" It is a very common question. In one sense, the answer is simple. As we make spiritual progress, we notice that many activities which we used to find attractive now no longer interest us. People with whom we previously associated or places to which we were attached no longer excite or refresh us. Not only are we not attracted, but we begin to feel the opposite: that such environments have simply become a drain on our consciousness. Detachment from past activities is a positive sign that our consciousness has shifted. The same "you" goes into the identical environment, but it is not really the same "you" due to the inner processing you have allowed yourself to undergo. As we raise our consciousness, we no longer feel comfortable aligning ourselves with people, places, and activities based on our previous levels of awareness.
Surrender, Chapter 6

"An example in the truest sense of global principle-centered leadership, Bhakti Tirtha Swami manages to take consciousness-raising to its highest platform of self-realized actuality in humanizing the workplace. My experience in working with all of the nations of the world convinces me that such a book is the corporate leadership guide for the coming millennium."
The Honorable Pierre Adossma
Director, Labor Relations (Retired)
International Labor Organization, United Nations
VedaBase => What Others Are Saying About Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness

One means of raising your consciousness before going to sleep is to create a physical environment filled with high spiritual energy. For example, you might place a spiritual painting or image of a great saint at the head of your bed so that the spiritual personality can watch over your body while you are at rest. Another measure is to place spiritual books near your head at night. Also, you can use holy water for protection -- water that has been prayed over, used in a worship service, or drawn from a sacred river. (Although water from worship services or sacred rivers is more potent, you can make holy water yourself by repeating any of the names of God over it.) Before going to bed, or if you are awakened during sleep, you can sprinkle such holy water in your sleeping environment.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 1

Practice raising the consciousness of those who try to attack you. First, remember there is no attack unless you accept it. See these attacks as calls for help, and review what you will do or say the next time to help your would-be attackers. This will protect you and help them as well.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 1

Since you are a co-creator with God, the more you are in tune with Him, the greater your power. So why think on a small scale? Think of plans that can assist the whole of humanity. Raise your level of consciousness! To understand that you are a co-creator is to be in pure harmony with the universe, acting as a servant of and co-worker with the divine. If you fail to appreciate this reality, you become destructive and are responsible for causing even more chaos in society. The choice is yours and so are the consequences.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 2

By nature, human beings are seekers of altered states of consciousness. However, using drugs, alcohol, or other artificial means to experience deeper states of consciousness will ultimately do nothing but increase frustration. Such temporary stimulation can be replaced with ecstasy from natural consciousness-raising activities.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 2

When is the last time you took a simple camping trip, spent some time in a village or in the country, or just went for a walk in a forest or park? Try to make this a weekly or at least a monthly affair. Admiring nature and simple villages, or communing with the elements, can raise your consciousness tremendously. Such rejuvenating activities are essential for your well-being.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 2

When you are involved in obviously negative situations, try to raise the level of consciousness of those around you by thinking loving, positive thoughts about them. Actually envision a ray of love streaming from your heart to theirs. Negative energies are attracted to discordant situations, where they can find similar vibrations, and are correspondingly repelled in the presence of positive, loving energy. If you are careful to monitor your emotional and psychological states, such energies will not easily disturb you.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 1, Part 3

"On several occasions going back to the 1980's I was invited by one of our Directors, Pierre Adossama, to sit in as His Holiness B.T. Swami shared his insights on world-order problems with me and some of my colleagues at the U.N. in Geneva. On one return visit, after he had met with the President of Zambia (who was then the Chairman of the O.A.U.), and the Presidents of Botswana, Sierre Leone, Liberia and Ghana, it became clear in my mind how he expertly lives what he writes in all his books. As you study and apply his teaching in his Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness volumes you will also be given the tools to play your part in raising global consciousness."
Gabriel Mesfin
Labor Relations, International Labor Organization,
United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2

Over the last thirty years I have had several opportunities to meet with CEOs of many corporations, leaders of religious institutions, and presidents of countries, and have had the chance to address the importance of character and of leading from the inside out. Only by developing his own character can a servant-leader be in higher consciousness and help raise the consciousness of his dependents. A leader possessing higher consciousness will manifest excellent character, greater competence, compassion and courage as he or she is being divinely inspired.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

Visionary leaders raise consciousness and inspire people to sacrifice for the greater good. They have a clear vision of the future and the need to transform old paradigms that are no longer relevant. They focus on opportunity rather than problems. They often see problems as chances to embrace a miracle, and they consistently pursue a win-win scheme.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

A servant-leader not only understands the importance of varna and ashrama, but understands that people should be taught to honor God and respect the material energy. In this way, his constituents can be employed in what they feel is meaningful work while enjoying a healthy family and social life. By being taught to concentrate on God, they are empowered to raise their consciousness and to understand the higher goals of life.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

At the end of the day, a servant-leader who is specifically spiritually oriented will think how to offer everything to God. He will constantly seek to understand what is favorable for devotional service and raising consciousness. Srila Rupa Gosvami, a great spiritual scholar and practitioner of Vaisnava culture said: nirbandha krsna sambandhe, yukta vaira yam ucyate: "Those things that are favorable for devotional service should be constantly accepted and embraced. Those things that are unfavorable should be avoided."
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

Question:
The purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.16.4 states:
In the name of secular government, the king or governmental head remains neutral and allows people to engage in all sorts of irreligious activities. In such a state, people cannot be happy, despite all economic development. However in this Age of Kali there are no pious kings. Instead, rogues and thieves are elected to head the government ... The rogues exact taxes from the citizens for their own sense enjoyment, and in the future the people will be so much harassed that according to Srimad-Bhagavatam they will flee from their homes and country and take shelter in the forest. However, in Kali-yuga, democratic government can be captured by God conscious people.
If people do not have the ability to recognize good leadership due to being so captured by the intricate web of illusion, how can the "democratic government" be "captured by God conscious people?"
Answer:
Education is important. People need to experience a higher consciousness in order to work effectively in all areas of secular life and to help raise the consciousness of others. Without proper training, there will be no high achievers available to make significant differences in society. When there is a lack of good training, good role models and high achievers, people will simply follow fads and propaganda and will accept poor role models. People of higher consciousness are selfless and are willing to extend themselves to improve society. To achieve higher consciousness, we must first clear our own minds and hearts of unhealthy attachments and illusions, and then we must work on freeing the hearts and minds of others, bringing everyone through the window of clarity and truth.
One problem we encounter in today's society is that people are overly concerned about being "politically correct." They become bound by their need to be accepted by others, and so they become more concerned about other people's opinions and personalities than in developing their own. In this way, they become more concerned with that which works in the immediate moment as opposed to that which will endure.
All over the planet, citizens are rebelling due to heavy taxation and other types of policies imposed upon them by the government. They feel unprotected, their needs unfulfilled. In late March 2001, some of the citizens in Los Angeles protested due to an increase in electricity bills. Many third-world countries are filled with refugees due to civil and tribal wars and government repression. In some cases, innocent citizens are attacked by rebels or by the soldiers who are supposed to be defending the city against the rebels. The police often harass the citizens in such countries, and criminals are rampant during times of unrest. Even worse are the current terrorist threats and attacks. We can see how most difficulties in society are due to bad government and leadership. These leaders are stagnant, manipulative and exploitive, rather than divine and animated.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

Therefore, when a leader addresses lawbreakers or those absorbed only in the grossest levels of survival, he can connect with them at their level and try to raise them to higher consciousness by helping facilitate their needs. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main duties of a servant-leader; he must understand the actual needs of his people and how they perceive their own needs as well. Then he must help them constantly to move up the hierarchy and to develop themselves as fully as possible. When goals are not clear, people will speculate about what they should be doing and go off on tangents. A true leader brings out the best in people.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

In using the word "spirituality," I am not referring to sectarian religious designations or particular dogmas. I am referring to universal principles, sacred knowledge, ancient wisdom, transcendental information and spiritual technology. Universal spirituality will have an empowering and harmonizing effect, whereas principles of sectarian religion will have the opposite effect, separating people who would otherwise be able to give so much more to their institutions and communities. Religion can often be dogmatic and easily corrupted with economic and political influence. But spirituality focuses on the essence. Spirituality will nourish the soul, going deep to the heart and therefore raising the consciousness. Religion tends to focus more on the external details, and thereby bypasses genuine unity, higher consciousness and self-realization.
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2, Part 2

The world faces the ongoing challenge of raising consciousness, developing skills and taking action. Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness II continues to not only provide deeply spiritual insights on empowerment and virtuous management but it allows an honest, open dialogue between religion, consciousness and the world of mundane administration. All this is badly needed in an age of stress, confusion and desperation.
Professor Michael Whitty
College of Business, University of Detroit Mercy
Co-editor, Work and Spirit: A Reader of New Spiritual Paradigms for Organization
Leadership for an Age of Higher Consciousness 2

The ninth offense is to preach the glories of the holy name to the faithless person. What does this mean to instruct a faithless person? It seems to be a contradiction because Lord Caitanya instructs us to preach the glories of the holy name in every town and village. Lord Caitanya gave knowledge, mercy and blessings to everyone, qualified or unqualified, so that everyone could have a chance to make some spiritual advancement. However, this ninth offense states that one should not instruct the faithless. This means that we give everyone a chance or an opportunity to receive, but if someone becomes angry, offensive or violent, we should not try to give them more, because they will simply become more offensive. As we said earlier, they will have to suffer for their offenses. It is better to avoid preaching to such an offensive person, because they will simply become more entangled in their karmic reactions. For instance, you may try to help an alcoholic out of compassion, but as soon as you start talking with them, they become violent and begin cursing. At that point communication is impossible. If you try to continue the conversation, you will cause them to act more absurdly which will not be healthy for them. It is the duty of a devotee to always try to help raise the consciousness. If we cannot help, we surely do not want to bring harm. Therefore, one should carefully avoid such an offense.
Reflections 1, Verse 2

Srila Haridasa Thakura is helping us in many wonderful ways to see the power of the holy name. When the prostitute came to tempt Srila Haridasa, who was focused on trying to serve Krishna, he did not fall prey to the temptation or try to avoid her; rather, he converted her and raised her consciousness. Sometimes very powerful yogis perform all kinds of austerities and have all different types of sakti but, when it comes to the lust aspect and an opportunity presents itself, they fall prey. If the opportunity does not arise, they may remain properly situated but, as soon as the temptation arises, they succumb. There are many yogis who come from the pilgrimage places and have been naisthika-brahmacaris and engaged in rituals since birth. However, after they come to America or Europe, the majority of them fall down. They become overwhelmed by the West and by the different levels of exchange between the men and women. The feminine energy overwhelms them and more often than not, they fall down. Without special mercy in Kali-yuga, one will have problems. Srila Haridasa surpassed the temptation due to the power of the holy name. This is the potency of Haridasa Thakura and this is why Krishna has asked him to share.
Reflections 3, Introduction

Question: You spoke on the importance of receiving personal training from the spiritual master. In a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada, he also explained that the guru should observe the prospective disciple for some time and the prospective disciple should have the opportunity to observe the guru. In Srila Prabhupada's case, many of his late disciples did not have this opportunity.
Answer: The spiritual master takes risks. The general principle is that a person should carefully scrutinize the guru, and once the person decides to accept the guru, he or she should try to learn and receive help. However, if a person finds a deviation after properly evaluating the situation, he or she should reject the guru. The guru takes risks on behalf of Krishna but such risks also carry consequences. Sastra tells us that if we accept unqualified disciples and do not raise their consciousness, we will suffer the consequences.
Practically all of the current leaders in ISKCON are sick. Although this partially results from our own physiological, sociological, and spiritual makeup, it also results from the different disciples along with their various kinds of deviations. Such consequences are part of the job but a guru should still try to minimize the quantity of unqualified disciples. For this reason, if a disciple continues to deviate year after year in spite of many warnings, I may sometimes send a letter to inform the person that I no longer see him or her as my disciple. Whatever I receive from my disciples I am supposed to offer to my guru, and if I allow or reinforce such deviations and even offer them to Prabhupada, it sabotages the entire parampara system.
Reflections 3, Chapter 6

The holy name is the means of sadhana. Out of His causeless compassion, the Supreme Lord incarnated as the holy name, making Himself available to the jivas. Thus the holy name is accepted by the pious jivas as the best means of perfection. The scriptures recommend the Lord's name as the most efficacious means to obtain the Absolute, but the jivas misunderstood this to mean that chanting is one of many subha-karmas. This misconception is similar to Lord Visnu being seen as another demigod like Lord Siva and Lord Brahma.
Harinama Cintamani, 77
Although we must not consider these pious activities to be on the same level as the chanting of the holy name, they do have a valuable role in raising the consciousness of the jivas. It is a part of religiosity which helps people approach God although they approach Him with conditions. They think, "Yes, I will serve, but...." Sometimes the ‘but' is stronger than the ‘yes' which can even eradicate the service at times. Anytime we say, "I will serve, but...", "I will love you, but...", or "I will surrender, but...", that ‘but' becomes our greatest enemy. Although we should try to honestly recognize our conditions, we should gradually find ways to transcend them so that we can eventually eliminate the ‘but'. If we deny that we have certain conditions, they will stay strongly engrained in our consciousness. For this reason, the type of service that requires twenty-four hours of attention everyday can really force us to examine our level of unconditional service. Is our love strong enough that we actually enjoy an inconvenience? In real love, the lover genuinely enjoys any inconvenience because he or she understands that it benefits the beloved.
Reflections 3, Chapter 11

Before trying to spiritualize others, however, we need to undergo transformation ourselves. This is such an exciting process! We must embody the change we expect to see in others. I explain this principle regularly to leaders around the world, to those who propose to help people, but at the same time participate in smoking, drinking, fornicating, and eating food acquired through violence. I instruct them to raise their own consciousness first. Then, naturally they will be able to influence others. We bring who we are to any situation, especially one that involves negotiation, facilitation, and guidance. The more we are endowed spiritually, the more we can share our gifts in any type of environment.
Reflections 4, Mantra 1

Our experiences of the environment and of other living entities are based on what is happening in our own consciousness. Many of us have come in contact with devotees who are always happy regardless of their health, material facilities, or type of service. Why are such devotees always blissful? At first, we may assume that they are either nanve or dull, but in actuality, they are most likely immersed in a higher state of consciousness. They take full advantage of any opportunity to offer their service to Krishna. Whatever happens, these devotees are vibrant and surcharged because they see Krishna everywhere and in all things. Others, who do not possess such an elevated level of consciousness, allow themselves to get caught up with the intricacies of their service. They ask, "How much work has to be done? How long will it take? Where is the facility to execute this service?" Appreciation for Krishna and His service gradually manifests as we raise ourselves to the madhyama-adhikari and uttama-adhikari platforms. We must ask ourselves, "How do I elevate myself to a higher level of transcendental experience?"
Reflections 4, Mantra 7

Similarly, one way to address any intrusion of maya is to illuminate our own consciousness by increasing the potency of our devotion. When Maya-devi enters our personal space, we can best confront her by ensuring that we take shelter of role models who set proper examples. The behavior of role models indicates clearly the standard of any environment. In any type of spiritual community, we will always find members with different levels of spiritual consciousness. Role models form a strong nucleus, reminding us of what kind of conduct is required to raise consciousness. This is especially necessary when there has been stagnation in our spiritual lives (for example, if we have temporarily stopped honoring certain vows).
Reflections 4, Mantra 7

Approaching people from varying angles can help to gradually bring them to Krishna consciousness. Preaching is powerful, and our message is very strong, but it has to connect. If we have good medicine, but no one wants to take it, what good will it do? We could have the best medicine, but no one will benefit. However, if people want a solution to their problem and see that we have a medicine that can help them, they will take greater advantage of the process. If our message is sufficiently powerful, we will find it affecting people's minds and hearts. Our movement is very practical, and it is about raising consciousness.
We are spiritual revolutionists who are to have compassion and vision. When people have vision without love, they will be motivated for the wrong reasons. This is true in our own temples as well. Conversely, when people have love without vision, nothing gets accomplished. There has to be vision with love so that devotees become motivated and enthused. Otherwise, the devotees in our temples will lose enthusiasm and want to leave due to boredom and dissatisfaction. Our duty is to know the people with whom we are associating and understand how to engage them according to their propensities. A leader should know his constituents as a mother knows her children, and he should care for them to the same extent. Leaders should be aware of the abilities and capacities of those under their care.
Reflections 5, Questions and Answers

Lord Nityananda made it very clear that in this age we don't kill the Jagais and Madhais (icons of immorality), but rather we attempt to make them devotees -- we help improve their qualities and character. This will show others the potency of Krishna consciousness. Haridasa Thakura could have belittled the prostitute who tried to seduce him by saying, "How can you possibly approach me? I am a sadhu." He could have cursed her and cursed all the generations connected with her, or cursed her to get leprosy. Although she came with ill intent, he raised her consciousness. There are dozens and dozens of examples in our literature which clearly show that we are not supposed to attack only the influence of Maya, but we must attempt to upgrade and improve an unfortunate situation. It is one thing to attack and then to get into a tit for tat mentality or combative pattern. Our position is to not waste energy in trying to put down, defeat, or combat others because it wastes energy. Even if we are successful in defeating materialistic ideas, we have wasted valuable time in combat.
Reflections 6, 1

One beneficial way to use your dreams is to direct them to areas of your personal and spiritual growth. As you enter into the dream state in a spiritual consciousness, you are more likely to have a dream that is productive and that will accelerate your growth. This usually requires the guidance of someone who is spiritually advanced. As you raise your consciousness, this process will get progressively easier. However, it is quite difficult if you are a spiritual neophyte. Also, if you raise your vibration to become more conscious of what you think in the daytime, you can have more positive dreams.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 1

Question: Could you speak more about the role of different scriptures and guides in consciousness upliftment?
Answer: The Bible, the Koran, the Torah, the Vedas, the Puranas, and other scriptures, as well as the prophets, Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Zoroaster, Madhvacarya, and other great teachers all have a role to play in consciousness-raising. Of course, we sometimes encounter teachers that are not bona fide, but all the bona fide teachers have a similar type of responsibility. They give a certain kind of knowledge adapted to time, place, and circumstances that is ultimately geared towards helping humanity in its conscious evolution. If we look closely, we will see that the essence of these texts is very similar. The only differences lie with the way their practitioners codify the information.
All traditions have an exoteric and an esoteric aspect. The exoteric elements concern the externals of the philosophy. Exoteric practitioners are usually more sectarian and insecure, and they propagate the exclusivity of their religion. The esoteric practitioners seek a more profound religious experience. Going deeply into their bona fide system, they touch on certain universal truths. They do not view other religious groups as threats, and thus they have no difficulties with them. If we follow these great teachers who are perfectly knowledgeable about these higher truths, our elevation on the spiritual path is assured.
There are sinister forces that are not only pitching race against race and tribe against tribe, but religion against religion. The more empowered demonic entities have lodged themselves in religious circles, causing great conflict. Many of our present-day, so-called spiritual teachers are actually in connection with these demonic energies; some are actually possessed. Although a person may heal the sick, for example, this does not necessarily mean that the power to do so is coming from a divine source. One can invoke lower entities, which can penetrate one's consciousness and provide great psychic abilities. Such psychic power is ultimately used to incarcerate others and increase the number of material difficulties.
In the coming years we should all be more discerning about where the information we accept comes from. Examine the lives of the channelers, the mystics, the mediums, the astrologers, or the clairvoyants. What are they saying and doing? Are their messages uplifting and liberating? Are they focused on the culture of love and devotion, or are their messages concerned with power, control, and material manipulation? Look at their lifestyle. Is it exemplary or sinful in nature? By carefully scrutinizing individuals such as these, you can understand whether the path they are on is negative or positive.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 3, Questions and Answers

These descriptions of the hellish planets sound pretty far-fetched, but they are real for the beings who need to experience them. For a person of higher consciousness, such things do not exist. Each of us has the ability to align ourselves with one reality or the other. Once we have been exposed to this type of information, our energy should be focused on how we can reestablish our relationship with God, functioning in our natural role as His servants. The more our desire to serve the Lord increases, the more provisions are made so we never have to worry about these material experiences again. Fear is natural, but the power of love supersedes everything in this material world. By raising our consciousness we can align ourselves with the source of all love and fulfill our purpose in this material arena without having to become preoccupied with the rapidly decaying fabric of society or with the symptoms of an age coming to an end.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 4, Questions and Answers

The focus of psychic defense is not to impart warfare, but to teach you certain protective strategies to enable you to remain the free spirit that you are. The key is self-realization. This means you must work on yourself. Any teacher can stimulate you, but there must be an underlying desire and commitment on your part to raise your consciousness.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 5,

This is one of the most incredible times to be a part of this universe. Entities are here who have been waiting millennia for the opportunity to be born at this time, just so they can gather enough spiritual momentum to carry them back home to the spiritual world. You also have purposely taken birth at this time on this planet to be a part of this unfoldment. We encourage you to align yourself with people and practices that will raise your consciousness and that will harmoniously align you with the universe and with God.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 6,

Question: Please explain the effects of mantras.
Answer: Sound has effects on matter. You can manipulate matter to such a degree that it begins to change form. A soprano can sing a note that, held long enough, can shatter a glass. The sound vibrations of different qualities have different effects on consciousness and different effects on matter. These effects can be seen even with music. Certain types of music make one aggressive, lusty or excited. Other types of music enhance relaxation and sleepiness. Thus, sound affects the consciousness just as it affects matter. It affects the subtle body; it has an influence on how the molecules and cells function. There are specific sounds that have specific effects; these sounds can be channeled and used to raise consciousness or to lower it.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 8, Questions and Answers

As we develop a higher consciousness, the whole level of this planet will be raised. The bottom line is that people are getting a chance to see how much they are qualified for empowerment. With that empowerment, many of our dormant faculties will again become active. We currently use very few of our actual abilities and this is the reason why our consciousness is so dull. We have all types of psychic abilities that will enable us to function better in the coming world order. We can achieve a point where mental telepathy becomes commonplace. It is just a matter of being more in harmony with natural laws so that we are able to use more of what we have. These are incredible times for which we are preparing ourselves.
Spiritual Warrior 1, 9, Questions and Answers

Those in power can raise consciousness to support a positive global mind shift, or they can do the opposite. The outcome depends largely upon the extent to which they can control their sexual energies, particularly in stressful situations. When leaders -- just like any of us -- experience misfortunes such as divorce, unemployment, disease, or death of a loved one, others may seek to capitalize on their vulnerability. Leaders must be strictly vigilant at such times, both in seeking help and in offering it to someone else. Compromising situations can arise unexpectedly. They are not always consciously planned, but can occur because those involved do not understand the forces at work and the severity of the consequences.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 1,

Sometimes a fire generates smoke so thick that we cannot see the flames. But if we fan the fire, the flames become stronger and the smoke dissipates. Human beings are not as covered over as plants and animals. If we light a match to set a small fire, a strong wind can spread the flames and burn down a house or even a great forest. Similarly, God consciousness is capable of developing in human beings to grand proportions from a tiny spark. However, if we do not stimulate that potential by "fanning the flames," the spark will not develop sufficiently to make a fire.
Continuing with this analogy, we have the choice of raising our level of consciousness by means of spiritual activities, or of allowing our spiritual spark to become extinguished. Sometimes a spark leaps out of the fire and burns itself out on the ground. In the same way, when we move too far away from the source -- our natural connection with God -- we are heading toward disaster.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 3,

If others disturb us, we can use the situation as a step in our spiritual development, viewing the confrontation as a test. When we become upset, we are impeding our spiritual progress. In contrast, if we remain unaffected, our would-be attacker will back away and will even feel ridiculous after a while. Not only have we defeated the other person, who has not demonstrated sufficient power to affect us, but we have also helped raise that individual's consciousness.
Spiritual warriors are not merely theoretical lecturers or scholars. First and foremost, they are practitioners. According to their level of realization, practitioners are held accountable for what they do as well as for what they say. Spiritual warriors pay a price if they behave improperly because the angels and demigods monitor their consciousness. For these reasons, simply hearing or reading about spiritual principles is not enough. We must learn to apply them to our own circumstances. Life is very dear, and the way in which we use our time is extremely significant. Spiritual teachings should always have practical applications. We should gain a clear sense of how the principles work so that we can use them in daily life and learn from our experiences how to improve our service to others and to God.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 4,

Sexual energy is the most powerful energy we have. In order to grow spiritually, we must learn to master it. Despite this society's emphasis on sexual activity, underneath it all everyone simply wants to give and receive love, not lust. When we express our sexuality with love, we can raise our level of consciousness; but when we are under the sway of lust, sexuality can lower our consciousness. We can become divine beings or mindless beasts.
Our failure to understand the spiritual aspects of sexuality and procreation has become a serious problem. Gradually the planet is becoming overpopulated with lower-level beings, simply because people engage in sexual activity without being accountable. Self-centered persons who use others as pleasure units cannot expect to give birth to selfless, compassionate, devoted souls. How can such unions produce anything divine? No highly evolved soul would be attracted to such a situation.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 5,

Love is sharing your realizations with your mate, which will help raise their consciousness as well as your own. Then your relationship will become one of growth and acceleration. If you and your partner are not growing together spiritually, there will eventually be a breakdown in the relationship. Sometimes we fear surrender in spiritual life, afraid of having to give up our identity or afraid of loosing our partner. But we should understand that surrender to the Supreme is an opportunity to regain our full identity. Without a spiritual dimension to our lives, we are not integrated and cannot experience deep love.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 6,

This planet will not be healthy until we gain a deeper understanding of the soul and the universal love we all share. As parts and parcels of God, we naturally belong to a culture of love, liberation, and constant celebration. When we extend this love and joy to others, we experience ever-deepening levels of God's love. The world sorely needs a deeper sense of community and a more mature understanding of personal happiness, both of which depend upon our willingness to raise individual and collective consciousness by sharing our love with others.
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Remember, too, that real consciousness-raising is not based on how well we plan and organize activities, although these functions provide an important supportive framework. At the core of our service, beyond any structure, must be a loving concern for others. Countless people have begun humanitarian or spiritual work with good intentions, only to become so caught up in bureaucracy that they forget their original purpose. They become attached to fame and distinction, or they become jaded, treating people like cogs in a machine. Their work no longer uplifts consciousness and so loses its ultimate value.
The more we help others selflessly, the more the Lord bestows blessings upon us, even if outwardly our efforts appear to be unsuccessful. Remember, as spiritual warriors, we are ultimately concerned with uplifting consciousness rather than with improving material well-being. We cannot measure the value of our work by the extent of our physical accomplishments. Instead, our success depends upon the amount of consciousness-raising that occurs because of our actions.
It is far better to affect one person deeply than to try to touch many people in a superficial way. The changes that occur in that one individual will have a greater impact on the collective consciousness of the planet than slight alterations in the lifestyle of scores of others. Sometimes the simplest actions can affect another person's level of consciousness -- a warm embrace, a kind comment, or a loving smile. We can all make efforts to uplift others in these uncomplicated ways, no matter what our circumstances and regardless of our skill level.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 7,

Imagine yourself in any of the difficult or painful situations described in this chapter. Feel the intensity of suffering involved, and meditate on the type of love required to help souls who are hurting so much. As we have seen, deep compassion means that we are willing to take suffering upon ourselves so that others can lead better lives. We are not talking about mere religion here, but about a profound level of spirituality that requires great commitment. It is not for the faint-hearted. As spiritual warriors, we must develop a high degree of spiritual maturity to make such enormous sacrifices willingly and help raise the level of consciousness on this planet.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 8,

At times, the extreme selfishness and intense suffering around us can be so overwhelming that we wonder if anyone is capable of expressing selfless compassion and unconditional love. Fortunately, though, there are always divine messengers who can teach us about compassion, providing role models that can raise our consciousness to a higher level of spiritual expression. Those who encounter such selfless beings are blessed with a rare opportunity to witness evolved souls in action who gladly forgo all personal gain to enable others to return back home to Godhead. Given the total commitment and infinite compassion of such saintly souls, how can we not be moved to emulate them? With their protection and assistance, we can accomplish miracles.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 8,

Question: My mother has an aging dementia, which is like Alzheimer's. It keeps getting worse, but she has no physical deterioration. I have just assumed that this situation was her karma. Am I wrong? A friend recently asked me why I don't help her more.
Answer: We should always try to heal ourselves and others. Some people are active healers and have the ability to channel healing energy or allow the Lord to use them to help someone else. But we are all healers, because we can always help others raise their level of consciousness. Every sickness has a consciousness component, and we can help others learn to live better so as not to get sick, or to use the sickness as a means of acquiring more spiritual realizations. We can show those who are ill how to avoid being depressed and overwhelmed by the illness.
To be healers, we do not necessarily have to lay hands on someone, offer prayers at a distance, or engage in other types of metaphysical activities. We can simply assist others, by helping make improvements in their character or by helping to relieve them of some of their suffering, even if it is nothing more than just a visit and a few kind words. If we are carrying a higher, spiritual energy, we will automatically uplift the other person's spirits by our natural radiation.
As you speak to your mother or read to her from any of the scriptures, even though her mind may not understand, her soul will. As you allow yourself to connect with her in a spiritual way, she will be able to receive what you have to offer. Unfortunately, sometimes nurses and doctors unwittingly discourage, or even kill, people by the comments that they make when they think a patient cannot hear or understand. People who are anesthetized or in a coma can still take in what we say on some level.
Under anesthesia, although the body is asleep, a part of one's consciousness is still active and extremely receptive to the surroundings. Under such conditions, a negative comment about a patient's prognosis can be devastating, because the unconscious accepts it as the truth. Someone who has been exposed to such words may become depressed and hopeless for no apparent reason. That is why people in the caring professions should be careful to manifest higher energies and to speak positively, lovingly, and with compassion at all times. They can help their patients heal faster and more completely. On the other hand, if they are not careful, they can destroy any chances for recovery.
Spiritual Warrior 2, 8, Questions and Answers

Interestingly enough, the influx of drugs in society often increases during certain periods -- especially when there is a significant campaign for consciousness-raising. Further, when political uprisings are in the making, we frequently see a sudden flood of easily available drugs. This strategy, too, is part of the demonic attempt to capture and enslave us. When chaos and confusion reign at strategic times, our energy becomes diffused and we may begin to forget what the true problems are.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 4,

Fortunately, today increasing numbers of people understand the necessity for a complete change of mind -- a revolution in consciousness -- to ensure a viable future for humanity and the world. Superficial changes are insufficient. We require far more than "action plans," however well conceived, or a series of quick and comfortable "fixes." What we urgently need is a profound shift in the worldview that underlies all our behavior. The old patterns of thought, which created this predicament in the first place, must give way to something new.
Given this situation, we must each realize how essential we are to the future of life on this planet. The participation of each one of us is vital. We should make a firm commitment to raise the level of our consciousness, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. We all have the capacity to become spiritual warriors if we are willing to make the choice and embrace its consequences. These consequences include pursuing truth in earnest and doing our utmost to create healthier modes of living founded on accountability, maturity and ultimately purity. Purity protects us -- and our world -- because when we are honest and "above-board," no one can cheat us and we cannot do harm to others. So let us all make integrity our insurance policy and do what we must to heal this planet.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 5,

We should not allow ourselves to be discouraged by the degraded culture that surrounds us. We must recognize that our positive actions add to the collective atmosphere just as the negative actions of others do. Our devotion and intensity go far beyond our immediate environment. Though confusion and negativity may surround us, we must do our part to help raise consciousness. Each of us has our own propensities and gifts, our own strengths and weaknesses. We should use our talents in every way that we can to make a difference in the collective consciousness of the planet.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 5, Questions & Answers

Every religion has "exoteric" and "esoteric" practices and teachings. Exoteric practitioners are involved in rituals, scriptures and the outward appearances. Because these practitioners look at the superficial, material aspects of their traditions, where differences are easily perceptible, they tend to be the ones who fight with others of differing persuasions. Those who are involved in the esoteric aspects focus more on the essence. They direct their energies to consciousness-raising and self-realization, delving beyond appearances into a direct experience of the divine. If we study any bona-fide spiritual process deeply enough, we will uncover the ancient timeless wisdom that is universal to humankind.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 6, Questions & Answers

When we have real love, we will not only inconvenience ourselves for another, but it becomes a joy to do this for someone we truly love. It should give us pleasure to put ourselves out to do something nice for someone we care about. The spiritual warrior takes this attitude of selfless love and broadens the field of affection to include all individuals. The spiritual warrior takes loving compassion to a whole other level and is literally prepared to suffer for others.
One story from the Vedic scriptures beautifully illustrates this. There was a young holy person named Ramanujacarya, the disciple of a great mystic teacher who was instructing him in sacred mantras. One day the teacher gave Ramanujacarya a special mantra which he claimed was extremely powerful, because he was pleased with Ramanujacarya's progress. The teacher then stressed that this mantra should remain a secret
at all costs, and should not be given to anyone. When Ramanujacarya asked him why, he explained that the sacred sound vibration had the power to immediately deliver anyone who spoke it back to the spiritual realm, but that there were consequences for its misuse.
Ramanujacarya immediately thanked his spiritual teacher, pondered the situation for a moment, and then ran to the top of the tallest building and started shouting out the mantra at the top of his lungs. The teacher heard his student shouting and came out and harshly scolded Ramanujacarya. "You fool!" he cried. "I gave you this sacred mantra for discrete distribution, and you have shouted it from the top of the tallest building to all kinds of unqualified people!"
The teacher expected Ramanujacarya to deny the accusation or at least apologize, but instead Ramanujacarya replied: "You said that anyone who uses this mantra can gain God-consciousness. I saw all these townspeople suffering for lack of knowledge, so I decided to give them the key to liberation. If there is some penalty for this act of mercy, then let me go to hell immediately. I am prepared to suffer on their behalf, to let all of them go free."
That is spiritual warriorship! Of course, we may not be as qualified as people in the age of Ramanujacarya. However, when one is determined to benefit others, and when they are prepared to endure all kinds of austerities to keep the mind, body and consciousness fixed for warfare, despite whatever temptations, anxieties and emotions may arise, one has qualified himself for advanced spiritual warriorship. A spiritual warrior becomes fixed and focused on the idea that whatever it takes to be successful in raising people's consciousness is not too much to ask. It can never be too much to see that there is ultimate liberation and unmotivated spiritual service to the Lord.
This was the position of Jesus, and of many saints and teachers, who were literally prepared to absorb the collective universal karma of the citizens so those souls could have less weight holding them back from launching ahead in their spiritual quest. Such a warrior is a general. In these situations the Lord is so satisfied by their actions, He not only helps the souls they are trying to connect with, but He also gives those generals more empowerment to represent the higher scheme of reality.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 7,

The true test of warriors is how they act when wounded. The real spiritual warrior bounces back immediately in the face of defeat. Rather than caving in, the warrior learns from the encounter, imbibes it, owns it, and becomes stronger from the experience. There will always be temporary setbacks in spiritual life, but the real test is how we continue to move ahead. Even though spiritual warfare is seldom an easy path, the joy and love that we receive serve as the spiritual warrior's "rations." Further, our joy and love creates positive energy that brings more joy and love, and the cycle will continue and intensify as we persevere.
There is joy in spiritual combat because it creates a tremendous vibration of purification. We have to remember that our spiritual activities are not confined within our consciousness, our family or our immediate environment. Spiritual energy has an extremely powerful way of permeating and affecting the environment. People are uplifted and rejuvenated by the positive energy of a spiritual warrior's association. We must endeavor to keep moving forward and not be detained, and constantly renew our commitment to serving the Lord on the battlefield of consciousness-raising.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 7,

A true spiritual warrior sees each test as a blessing, because it is a chance to mature spiritually and move closer to God. When we recognize each test or challenge as a positive event, we approach it with zeal and enthusiasm, knowing we are engaged in consciousness-raising. Each test is a chance to prove that we are focused and sincere about becoming spiritual beings.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 8,

Several years ago, as I spoke to a group of so-called revolutionaries and diplomats from another country, I emphasized the importance of renunciation and regulation. When leaders continue to smoke, drink and otherwise indulge themselves, they become easy prey for adversaries who seek to tempt them at their most vulnerable points. Such temptations are bound to occur. Indeed, one of the first goals of espionage is to discover the enemy's weaknesses in order to exploit them as effectively as possible. Self-indulgent persons cannot protect themselves against these attacks, so how can they possibly guide others?
I told this group of revolutionaries to first work on themselves. If they were sincere in their intentions to raise others' consciousness, they had to first get their own "acts" together and strengthen their own consciousness. If not, they were likely to endanger people and lead them to destruction.
In general, as we engage in conscious-raising activities we put pressure on those in our environment to change. However, we must embody the transformation that we are expecting in others. As we do so, we "walk our talk" and gain power that is truly honorable and enduring. All other forms of power are temporary.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 8,

If we approach all our activities from a spiritual warrior's perspective, then we will be doing our part to raise consciousness, even when confusion and negativity surround us. Despite our idiosyncratic tendencies, propensities and capabilities, we all share a common responsibility to do what we can, wherever we are, to make a difference in the collective consciousness of the planet.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 8,

As we examine history, we discover a great number of spiritual revolutionaries who paid a high price for their truthfulness. One example is Zoroaster, a Persian mystic, who was stabbed to death because he tried to engage in consciousness-raising. Another example is Socrates, who was put to death because he supposedly poisoned the minds of the youths with anti-material notions. Buddha was stoned and harassed by orthodox Hindus. The Prophet Muhammad's life was threatened by assassination attempts. Jesus was crucified. Saint Teresa of Avila, a nun, had to sneak out and run away from home to practice her life of holy simplicity and renunciation. The founder and leaders of the Ba'Hai faith were often threatened. The parents of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a celibate monk, locked him up with a prostitute, hoping that he would break his vows. Saint Francis of Assisi gave away all his possessions and rejected his parents in public to pursue his vocation. In India, there were assassination attempts on Ramanujacarya, Bhaktivinode Thakur and Bhaktisiddhanta Swami.
Spiritual Warrior 3, 9,

We are going to give you another set of four important tools which, in combination with the spiritual warrior's checklist, are sufficient to raise individual and collective consciousness, connect community members with divine power and provide solace as we face the challenges of becoming transcendental. Reflect on these tools as a daily meditation, and make the choice to shift your consciousness:
 1.  Treat everyone you encounter as if the success of your spiritual life depends upon the quality of your interactions with them.
 2.  Reflect upon the person you love the most, and aspire to treat everyone with that same quality of love.
 3.  View all conflicts as your own fault first.
 4.  Realize that the people in your present environment might very well be the people with whom you will live out your life, and who will be with you at the time of death.
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It is not wrong to worry about the body if it relates to God. If we worry about the body in terms of our service and connection to the Lord, we will also get inspiration about what to do in spite of the physical challenges. However, if we worry about the body as an individual entity, disregarding its connection with the Lord, such reflections will not transcend the bodily platform. When we worry about the body, we should reflect on its connection with our service in a genuine devotional attitude. If such reflections are genuine, we will receive some inspiration on how to help the problem or how to act in spite of the physical limitations. If our car breaks down, we want to fix the problem so that we can use it to buy groceries or in another service. This is a healthy worry. If you do not have any concern, you will not fix the problem. However, when we do address the problem, our energy should revolve around proper planning according to the spiritual nucleus. As personalists, we do scrutinize and reflect because we want to receive blessings in our service and raise our consciousness. These factors are all very important.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 1, Questions and Answers

Since people must live amidst such hostility and violence, they constantly feel fearful due to the realities of the situation. Consequently, we need to have a complete internal revolution on this planet. All over the world people are waging all types of wars between individuals and between countries. We need spiritual soldiers who can counteract these negative forces. For this reason, I am writing this series of books entitled Spiritual Warrior. People need to understand how this negative culture affects their families and environments, and will gradually infiltrate the present human consciousness on this planet until it literally creates a different species. Even now the negative propaganda that we constantly see and hear is altering our current state of existence because it is changing our priorities and even stimulating our hidden priorities. We need to strategize in order to wage peace instead of war. We should not simply withdraw but we must form a strategy to protect ourselves and raise our consciousness in order to alleviate some of this extensive fear. This is the clarion call for spiritual warfare.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 2, 

Millions of people in America alone suffer from fear in these particular ways. Unfortunately, as these people interact, they drop their fears into the environment and onto their associates. For instance, parents who carry these anxieties with them end up dropping these negative emotions directly onto their children or spouse. A phobic person is rarely able to be fully present or sufficiently loving since they are emotionally shut down. People suffering from wounds cannot give their full love, especially if they are afraid to open their hearts or honestly address their past. We cannot raise our own consciousness sufficiently or the consciousness of others if the duality of fear and aggression has captured our minds. Fear allows maya or evil to enter deep into a person's consciousness because it destroys the shield of love that blocks or eliminates the attack. Once the shield of love disintegrates, the fear will increase and present its strongest attacks. We do not want to allow fear's attacks to wound or devastate us; therefore, we must constantly strengthen our internal constitution.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 2, 

Sometimes we need to look closer at what transpires in our mind and consciousness so that we can let Krishna or God in much more. We want to take advantage of the opportunity to address these issues because, in spite of all of the philosophies and spiritual paths in this Age of Kali, most people still do not understand the essence. What does this mean? Do the processes given to us by the great acaryas or the prophets lack potency? No. People lack the potency to really understand their essence. Due to the excessive misery on the planet, spiritualists need to be genuine and fully authentic in order to assist in raising the level of consciousness. They need to be proactive instead of reactive and entirely within themselves in order to more effectively help others.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 3, 

We can also talk with them and help free them of some of their attachments because an excessive focus on their own problem has actually led them into their particular mental crisis. We can also help them develop more gratitude and give more love that will then shelter them. Sometimes we have to help them understand the "pay offs." Some people maintain their depression because of what they seemingly get in return. For instance, they want sympathy; they use it as an excuse to not make themselves more available; they want attention from others; or they use it as a reason to quit their jobs. Others hide behind the depression to cover up other problems. Most times, these pay offs are deeply unconscious.
Possession also happens due to the lowness of a person's consciousness since it attracts the presence of such a being. As the person raises their consciousness, such entities will not remain in the environment because they will not be able to connect with the person. Just as filth attracts rats and insects, a low consciousness will attract certain entities. However, as we intensify our consciousness through devotional reflections, it will create some barriers of psychic and spiritual protection. As mental illness increases, we will all need more protection from the environment for ourselves and for our families. We can get that protection through strong sadhana or spiritual practices and association.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 5, 

Taking sanctified water or food will help to raise our consciousness.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 5, 

Some of the people involved in the sinful plan actually want to create confusion in people's minds about these topics. However, the earth has always been a planet that higher personalities have cared for; therefore, some of the caretakers who have a direct responsibility are returning to help in the consciousness-raising campaign. We will see many miracles happening in the coming years. Even some of you, beloved, have always felt that you have a mission and that you do not quite fit into the normal scheme of material life. Those types of sentiments are not just conceptual. In the coming years, as the environment accelerates, people will become much more sensitive. Even if we just look at the last five years, we will recognize an increasing emphasis on channeling and mediums, which indicates an increase in the contact between different dimensions. Even ten years ago, some of the programs on UFOs and other related topics would never have even appeared on television. However, if you go to almost any major bookstore now, you will find many books on these sorts of topics. As a matter of fact, they are some of the most popular books in the United States.
Spiritual Warrior 4, 6, Questions and Answers

As long as we have a personal guru, we have to check with him, and when that guru gives us instructions, we should use our intelligence to see how to intelligently follow. If he somehow gives us a wrong instruction, we are still covered. Of course, if he gives us an instruction that opposes bona fide principles of spiritual life or if he deviates in some way, obviously we shouldn't follow. But if he is connected to the parampara and following the instructions of his bona fide mentor, we have a duty to follow his or her instructions and Krishna has the duty to give us blessings. Otherwise, Krishna would be a liar. If we follow the process that Krishna has given us, He has promised us He will give all necessary facilitation.
It is really about the Lord and the living entity. If we have more faith in the Supreme, He will continue to manifest in our lives in so many ways. We will constantly feel enthused. The Lord will even come through the words of a drunken man. We might hear the drunk say something so profound that we gain tremendous insight. For instance, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, we hear of the avadhuta brahmana who learned from so many different types of gurus such as the python, the elephants, the bees, and so on. Just by watching ants work together, we can learn about cooperation. We will learn from the cows, peacocks, and so many other living entities. The difficulty really stems from lack of faith in sadhu, sastra, and guru. Unfortunately, we have trouble in all of these areas and the Lord knows. Therefore, He has given us this process in Kali-yuga of focusing on chanting the names of God for internal as well as external consciousness-raising so that we can still grow in spite of the doubts and weaknesses and continue to nourish our devotional creeper.
Spiritual Warrior 5, 4, Questions and Answers

Similarly, devotees constantly scrutinize the spiritual scriptures in order to clearly understand healthy behavior. We can also gain this understanding by looking closer at the effects of people's actions. After using these various platforms to make an evaluation, we then follow through with our actions. However, our own quality of perception and devotion will also determine how we codify situations. In very general terms, we see as favorable anything that brings more love and compassion, and enhances God consciousness. We categorize as unfavorable anything that disturbs the individual or the environment and brings on lower consciousness.
We can make this evaluation by asking ourselves the following question: If many people engaged in this particular behavior, would it bring about a greater good for a greater number of people, or would it disturb a greater number of people? If many people engage in a pious activity, it will of course concomitantly raise the level of consciousness of themselves and of others. To help make this evaluation, we can reflect on such statements as "Love your neighbor as yourself" or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We can also ask ourselves before we act, "How would I feel if someone else did this to me?" If we feel comfortable to receive that treatment from someone else, then we carry it out with great eagerness. In some cases, it might involve some experimentation.
Spiritual Warrior 5, 5, Questions and Answers

As spiritualists, we should always aspire to go deeper in our spiritual realizations, commitments, and understandings. Actually, if we do not go deeper and advance in spiritual life, we will confront many dangers on the path. Such dangers can manifest as a loss of enthusiasm, which can cause us to leave the process of devotional service. Even if we try to remain in the process, loss of enthusiasm can lead to stagnation or result in lack of faith. Not only will we remain stagnant, but we will also lose the ability to uplift anyone else. A spiritual warrior wants to have the potency to seriously help raise the level of consciousness on the planet. However, unless we grow by receiving properly, we will not be able to give very much. We will also begin to blame the environment and blame other people for our weaknesses. Furthermore, when a person does not grow sufficiently, they will feel incoherent and will normally find some reasons to justify their weak areas. This can lead to apathy because without enthusiasm, one will lose interest and zeal.
Spiritual Warrior 5, 7, 

Develop Inner Strength
Some of the greatest problems are problems that we have to deal with inside ourselves. They involve raising our own consciousness. If I allow you to excessively bother me mentally, it means that my own consciousness is low; otherwise, your actions or words could not disturb my mind. Whatever your position may be, if you bother me, it is because I stand on insecure ground. We must avoid a mood of always seeing others as the full problem. We must avoid letting people's nonsense turn us into nonsense. If we fall prey to weakness, it is because we do not have sufficient strength.
If we have determination, we can make a difference by raising better families, addressing our own situations, and looking at our own consciousness. The mind can be the greatest enemy of any person, but a mind harnessed for higher achievements and for knowledge of spiritual truths cannot be held down.
uddhared atmanatmanam
natmanam avasadayet
amaiva hy atmano bandhur
atmaiva ripur atmanah
One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.
Bhagavad-gita, 6.5
Spiritual Warrior 6, 1, 

We do want people to eat, sleep, and dream about war, but a war of peace and love. During any interactions, we must see ourselves as on a mission. "To pursue the transcendental path is more or less to declare war on the illusory energy. Consequently, whenever a person tries to escape the clutches of the illusory energy, she tries to defeat the practitioner by various allurements" (Bhagavad-gita, 6.37 purport). As we make plans, we want our plans to involve strategies to raise consciousness. In any situation or environment, we realize that we have to find a way to do the necessary without becoming wounded or killed. We must realize that the day-to-day attacks we experience come from lust, greed, and envy. We must understand these enemies and combat them without becoming captured or wounded by them. When we have this sort of consciousness, we can begin to counteract much of the conventional warfare around us.
Spiritual Warrior 6, 6, 

Question: With all of the wars surrounding us and rumors of war in all of the scriptures, what is the key to maintaining one's focus as a spiritual warrior, especially if we must function around people of different mindsets?
Answer: Consider the conventional warrior. What are some of the keys that keep the warrior in the mindset of war? Most importantly, the person has accepted that identity. He or she is a soldier fighting for the United States of America, for instance, with a certain area of expertise. The individual has accepted that identity, and others also think of him in this way. First, we must develop more of an identity in which we really believe that we can make a difference. We can have a role in consciousness raising by monitoring what we say, what we do, and how we think.
Secondly, warriors are always planning. By connecting with their external plans and goals, they are bringing their mind and body into a certain state. If we don't plan, maya or Satan will plan for us. If we don't use our energy for strategizing and trying to have certain short-term and long-term goals, then the fallout will disturb us. First, focus on our identity, then plan and strategize. We do it anyway, indirectly. We make some plans to clean, to shop, or to get a degree. We make some plans about what will happen when we meet that princess or that prince charming we have dreamt about. We make all of these plans, which is natural, but we should plan our whole life based more on a spiritual paradigm.
Spiritual Warrior 6, 6, Questions and Answers

Question: Sometimes we focus on our mission to such an extent that we lose sight of anything but the mission. As you stated, there are many negative forces in the environment today that could take advantage of us and cause us to think that we are fighting for the good when we are really fighting for the bad. How do we remain attentive and true to the mission so that we can accomplish our goals instead of falling prey to some of these other negative influences?
Answer: For this reason, we emphasize the qualities of a spiritual warrior. One of these qualities is humility. If we lack the ability to honor feedback, then in spite of our good intentions, we might become an integral part of the problem. Instead of helping to raise consciousness, we might remain stuck in negative patterns and consider them to be the only ways to function. By thinking of ourselves as special or "chosen," we resort to fanaticism and fundamentalism. In many cases, we have some good intentions, but we also have a misguided consciousness. We must take constant inventory and receive feedback with humility.
In this way, we always remain aware of the battlefield of consciousness, which can be overtaken by the intruding armies of pride, lust, and enviousness. When we see these mindsets as invading enemies, we will act more carefully to not imbibe them within ourselves while simultaneously trying to do good work. We might have an awareness of what is improper and know how to make a difference, but instead of making a healthy change, we just add to the problems. For this reason, I addressed some of the metaphysical aspects of the karmic influences in the Middle Eastern areas. Many of those people have repeatedly come back into that environment after several births and they come with a good deal of anger, depression, and frustration. Many have experienced poverty and violence lifetime after lifetime. These mindsets create existentialism, fanaticism, and desperation to try to find a way out. Such people will become motivated and enthused by the conception of paradise. By being locked into such negative karmic patterns, many of these people become compelled to continue in a digressive and destructive course.
Spiritual Warrior 6, 6, Questions and Answers

People who have some knowledge, but not complete knowledge, are actually adding to the acceleration of violence. The problems in the world never stem from just the evildoers. They increase when pious people minimize evil, do not sufficiently offset the evil, or when they do not raise their consciousness to a level that can check present as well as future deviations. It is as if the Supreme Personality of Godhead is sending a message, telling us to look at the way we are living, thinking, and interacting. Look at the type of world that it is creating -- a world permeating with fear in which many people honor violence and want to commit suicide while killing others.
Spiritual Warrior 6, 7, 

How wonderful it will be for world peace when we have generations of people whose lives and eating habits are an act of collective love and consciousness raising rather than a massive expression of violence to themselves, to the environment, and to others. This is an integral part of the mission and vision of the spiritual warriors. Are you ready, beloved, to join us in yet another global mission of waging peace? You might like to put the book down for several hours or a day to reflect on the implications and ramifications of what you have finished reading in this chapter. Reflect on the information we have just shared in relationship to yourself, to your family, to your country, and to the world.
Spiritual Warrior 6, 7, Questions and Answers

How amazing it is that sickness can help raise us out of normal body consciousness, and can help us feel more gratitude for the gifts we usually take for granted.
Beggar 3, Meditation 8

Suffering with disease has helped me to better realize that there is no complete security or happiness in the material world. How amazing it is that sickness has forced me to reflect on higher values, and helped to raise me out of normal bodily consciousness while sensitizing me to deeper concerns.
Beggar 3, Meditation 8

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