Ikigai – What keeps you going in Krishna Consciousness?

Mahabhagavat Das SDA, 26th April 2016

Dear Devotees,

Hare Krishna!

Welcome everyone!

This group has been active since May 2011, and we have done some amazing things in this group, and we will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Recently, I came across the Japanese word Ikigai (pronounced ‘icky guy’, but doesn’t mean the same). Roughly translated, Ikigai means “a reason for being”. Of course, on the deepest level, we are because Krishna is.

But still, it can be understood as the reason we start something, stick to something or even just get out of bed.

So, I am curious to hear, and I beg you to dig deep within your hearts and minds… what is your “ikigai”, what is your reason for being in Krishna consciousness in any way?

I mean, some of you are experimenting with Krishna consciousness. Others know it theoretically but yet to fully embrace, and others you live and breathe Krishna consciousness, everything is you do is so you can somehow be Krishna conscious.

I’d like us to get a feel of what the members feel is their “Ikigai” in Krishna consciousness?

Please don’t hold back, please write, this will inspire and encourage us all.

What say, dear fellow travellers on the road to Ultimate Self Realization?

Sincerely,
Mahabhagavat Das

Hitesh Patel, 26th April 2016

My reason for being in Krishna Consciousness is to get away from the trouble of the material world and be in kirtan. Sunday 8 o clock arati is my favorite time of the week because I can take all the stress that’s accumulated throughout the work week and let it out on the mridanga drum. Sometimes I hit the drum so hard that my hands hurt. It’s a great feeling.

Hare krishna!!

Sincerely,
Hitesh Patel

Ned frazee, 26th April 2016

Hare Krishna Dear Devotees,

All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!
All Glories to Guru-dev and Guru-Mata!
All Glories to the assembled devotees!

Please accept my humble obeisances. This is a wonderful letter and I would like to participate in the discussion.

What I feel mostly as my “reason for being” in Krishna Consciousness is endeavoring each day, moment to moment, for a drop of mercy. You see, I am the most fallen and very unqualified for this Bhakti-yoga. Although, I am most fortunate to have come into contact with His Grace Sankarshan Das Adhikari.

I feel when I endeavor to take Guru association in my heart, if not physically present, then this gives me the opportunity to take hold of Krishna’s lotus feet within my mind.

Through his transcendental instructions emanating from his lotus mouth, he delivers the whole world from the ocean of birth and death.

There are so many drops of mercy that we get from so many great personalities. I pray Lord Krishna will give me the intelligence to drink this transcendental nectar through my ears and if there is any bit of interest of anyone to hear, I may fan this spark.

Yours eternally,

Sincerely,
Ned

Vasudevan.k, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna Dear Devotees,

All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!

All Glories to Guru-dev and Guru-Mata!

All Glories to the assembled devotees!

Please accept my humble obeisances. This is a wonderful letter and I would like to participate in the discussion.

What I feel mostly as my “reason for being” in Krishna Consciousness is endeavoring each day, moment to moment, for Prasadam.

Always an insignificant servant,
Vasudevan K

Gita ajith, 27th April 2016

Hare Krsna Devotees

My Personal reason for being in Krsna conscious is that it relieves me from all worldly stress and strain.

Whenever I am in a conflicting situation or depressed mental state I start chanting the Maha Mantra and start feeling the mercy of lord by feeling very light and my thought moving towards Krsna and nothing else. There are so many things keeps me going in Krsna consciousness especially almost all the writings of Srila Prabhupada about Krsna ….especially his book KRSNA which I love to read again and again especially when I read the chapter about Sudama visiting his friend Lord Krsna one of the beautiful chapter which enlightens me a lot .

Every single thought that comes to my mind about all attractive Krsna has a great feeling and keeps me moving further…..Hare Krsnaaaa!!!

Sincerely,
Gita

Manjula Nellore, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna,

My pranams to the Acharyas and Gurus.

My best wishes to all.
Being associated with Krishna Consciousness is a journey which I wish to travel sharing experiences of one another, which would in turn help all of us to get closer to the lord himself.

yours,
Manjula.

Manian VB, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna Hare Rama.

Being associated with Krishna consciousness is a wonderful; experience. we cone to know of the Supreme being and practicing Krishna Consciousness gives us peace of mind and takes us away from the material contamination.

your unworthy servant,
Manian VB

Sarvasakti devi dasi, 27th April 2016

Dear Devotees
Hare Krishna

My reason for being in krishna consciousness is to get rid of all material attachments. To be honest whenever am in the temple busy with my services and surrounding with devotees really feels amazing and that happiness and peace i get is just wonderful. Once I go out of temple I get so sad , people’s words just keeps hurting me. For me I love serving and helping everyone. During week days we have harinam here in fiji island and that’s the best part of my life . I get to meet so many people to talk to about lord krishna. Book distributions , dancing and delicious prasadam.

This is just a short reason I have shared .

All glories to srila prabhupada
All glories to srila gurudev

yours servant
Sarvasakti devi dasi

Kamal Caran Das, 27th April 2016

Hare Krsna.

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.
All glories to Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.

I was and I am an extremly fallen soul. Very arogant, egoistic and unfaithful one. And I could understand that this is the reason of all the pity situations in my material life. I could sense that Krsna Consciousness movement initiated by Srila Prabhupada is the only way out of such a horible condition. This was the only and only “ikigai” to start with ISKCON.

But now, after almost EIGHT year of association of Harinam & devotees of Krsna & Krsna in the form of almost everything, the “ikigai” is to realize Krsna in every happenings in the life – mine & others.. and to learn more and more abuot how beautifully & mysteriously Krsna performs.. Krsna says.. Mayadhyakshen prakrutihi.. hetunanen kauntey, jagat viparivartate.. How prakruti works on us and how we fool behave under the clutches of maya — though we consider ourselves in Krsna consciousness.. Suddenly a spark comes in the mind and we realize — “oh, i got trapped again..!” its wonderful.. and adventurious and delicious…and so on..

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,
Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare….!

your servant..
Kamal Caran Das

Nirmala Devaki Devi Dasi, 27th April 2016

HARE KRISHNA

Please accept my humble obeisances…

For me KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS is everything….Sometimes i feel if i would not be there in this KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, how boring my life would be.

I feel very fortunate that i get to know about this KRISHNA consciousness.

Yadi Prabhupada na hoito tabe ki hoito ye jeevan bahita kishe……

Its really a fact that association of devotees can’t be compared 2 anything valuable in this world..i feel each moment to be very precious that is being spent with the devotees.

Every sunday, every yatra gives more and more bliss to our life.

Srila Prabhupada books are the source of life.

And the Ultimate self realization course everyday make me realise the urgency for being KRISHNA CONSCIOUS every moment.

Thanks.

yours insignificant servant
Nirmala Devaki Devi Dasi

Sadhna bhim, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna to all

All glories to Srila Prabhupad!

My reason for being a devotee is, always I wanted to know what is the purpose of our life. is there anything that after birth and death is there anything beyond that. I found my answer in Srimad Bhagwatam. We must prepare ourself for a spiritual body to go back to God head. In this material world we must use everything for Krishna. My wish is what can I do to help everyone to become Krishna consciousness’ especially our family members which is very difficult to preach them.

servant of the servant of the servant
Sadhna

Jayapal M, 27th April 2016

Dear devotees,

Hare krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisances,

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

My reason for being in Krishna Consciousness is that I strongly believe and being experienced of Chanting Holy Name as the simplest way of doing continuous service to Krishna, Supreme Personality of Godhead. Chanting and sticking to 4 regulatory principles are the most enjoyable and self purifying activities of my life now, though it was found to be very difficult once upon a time.

Looking for devotees’ merciful; blessing to continue in Krishna consciousness forever.

your humble aspiring servant,
M. Jayapal.

Premananda das, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna Dear Devotees
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories o Srila Prabhupada

Krishna consciousness or the reason of my being in Krishna consciousness are as follows:

1)To be a servant of Guru,Krishna and Vasinavas
2)To take risks for Krishna and explore the journey as I understand if you love someone you will sacrifice and give your best eat to please that person.Similarly to please Krishna’s pure devotees and become an instrument in Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya mission.
3)Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam lectures and purifying myself,for furthering scriptural understanding and developing my love for Krishna .
4)Srila Prabhupada has given an spiritual institution Iskcon to assist in the local temple by asking higher authorizes in the temple.Srila Prabhupada mentions that if anyone wants to please him they must follow his instructions .He said that co-operation between devotees will please him.I wish to develop that mood as the goal is for the pleasure of Krishna ,services could vary from devotee to devotee.
5)To remember Krishna and never forget Him.Just as tripod stands on three legs.Guru ,sadhus and scriptures are require even one leg missing will not make the camera stand on tripod.Association of devotees and exchanging loving exchanges between devotees is another aspect of my being in Krishna conscious. This is my Ikigai.

Thank you Mahabhagavat prabhu for this wonderful book club where I learn so much with realization and experiences from devotees and reading and relishing the nectar of different books of Srila Prabhupada.

your servant
Premananda Das

Amogha Lila Das, 27th April 2016

Hare Krishna prabhu’s and mataji’s. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Gurudeva. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I would say my ‘ikigai’ in Krishna consciousness is the realization that there is nothing else real even though how much real it may seem. Krishna consciousness helps me to look forward to weekends and events where I can get devotee association. And this in turn makes all other seemingly mundane activities somewhat meaningful.

your servant,
Amogha Lila Das

Vandana Neeraye, 27th April 2016

Hare krsna

Please accept my humble obeisance

All glories to Shrila Prabupada

All glories to Shrila Gurudev and Guru mataji

Krsna consciousness makes me realize that we are all part and parcel of lord krishna, He resides in our heart and we are His eternal servants.

Being in krsna consciousness also gives me immense pleasure to serve the devotees, to do my japas, to read Srila Prabupada books and to associate with devotees and discuss Sri krsna pastimes

your servant,
Vandana

Jayakrishna, 29th April 2016

Hare krishna dear devotees!

I dont know it, but i think i am special to Krishna,and i feel He loves me as his dearest! just like i feel that i am special to my mother! But i know as a father that i love my children equally:-) Regarding ISKCON,i appreciate them only because they serve Krishna better than anyone, and regarding Srila Prabhupada, i dont know a man more dedicated to the mission of Krishna and a Guru who distributed the priceless benediction of krishna to the whole world lavishly in modern days.

with dandavats,

Jayakrishna

Damodar Vilas das, 29th April 2016

Hare Krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thanks for very introspective question :-

Q. what is your reason for being in Krishna consciousness in any way?

Ans. Reason for me for being in Krishna Consciousness

1. Being able to derive inspiration from the association of the devotees who are living with teachings of an Acarya who taught by His own example. Our ISKCON founder acarya Srila Prabhupada!!!
2. Relationship with the spiritual preceptor/Guru Maharaja. Who are extending the most sublime teaching & love of entire disciplic succession.
3. Bhakti perform under guidance of these teaching gives provide immense happiness to keep going. Also Vaishnava Seva.

your servant,
Damodar Vilas das

Paramraj bhatt, 29th April 2016

Hare Krishna !

Please accept my humble obeisances .

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !
All Glories to Srila Gurudev !

First off all thank you prabhuji for bringing up this question it really made me ponder a lot about it “Ikigai ” I mean what is my reason for being ?

Even though I knew that I was in Krishna consciousnesses for ” Athato Brahma Jigyasa”, which shares some what similar meaning to Ikigai ,I think reason for my being is to understand exactly why do I have to be ?

Understanding the importance of doing things and how to do them perfectly .The feel of having an intense desire to know or have that curiosity (jigyasa ) is what keeps me going.

your servant,
Paramraj

Ajanta Rao, 29th April 2016

Hare Krishna devotees,
All glories to Srila Gurudev and Gurumataji
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you Mahabhagavat Prabhu for asking the question. The reason that I am Krishna conscious is that it makes me feel truly peaceful, blissful, clean, healthy, and normal. I feel lost and confused if I’m not Krishna conscious. The material world is so corrupted by maya/illusion that nobody knows who they actually are and what their true purpose in life is. Everybody is busy trying to boost their false egos and indulge in sense gratification which doesn’t make sense to me. On the other hand, Krishna consciousness makes complete sense because it is based on Bhagavad-Gita, the teachings of Lord Krishna who is the Supreme Lord of the Universe. Reading Srila Prabhupada’s “Bhagavad-Gita as it is” was an epiphanous moment for me. It awakened me and enlightened me about my true nature and the true purpose of my life. I realized that I am actually an eternal servant of Lord Krishna and my duty is to serve Him with love and devotion. Ever since I started practicing Krishna consciousness- by doing japa, mangala-aarathi, associating with devotees, following Gurudev’s and Gurumataji’s instructions, cooking and serving Krishna prasadam, serving in the temple, and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was gradually cleansed of material contamination and felt increasingly blissful. I know there is more and more cleansing required for this fallen soul and hence I shall continue to be Krishna conscious forever.

I enjoy participating in the online book reading because it helps to improve my knowledge and strengthens my Krishna consciousness. Thank you to all the devotees for their valuable insights and mercy.

yours humbly,
Ajanta Rao

Bhakta Sunil, 29th April 2016

Hare Krishna,

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

my Ikigai for being in Krishna Consciousness is :

a) Getting the association of persons who are your true friends,

b) automatically avoiding abominable mundane habits because of higher taste,

c) the satisfaction of serving and doing good for some one is immense,

d) eating sanctified food,

e) experientially feeling the purification in the heart,

f) being aware that this is the Absolute Truth, and this is the topmost lifestyle for a human being,

g) being sure that even in difficulty God is helping , so simply to depend on Lord and His representatives,

this is my humble realization,

your insignificant servant,
Bhakta Sunil

Shridhar Das, 02nd May 2016

Hare Krishna Prabhuji,
Please accept my humble obeisance!
All glories to Srila Gurudeva!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I also heartily thank His Grace Mahabhagavat Prabhu for giving an opportunity to dig deep into “whys”. My counsellor once spoke if “what?” and “why?” of our life’s goal is clear, then “how?” shall automatically be known. Stronger the why, better the how.

Honestly sharing, my mind is mixed up. Above ikaigais however helped me.

I had given myself to this movement because I was eager to experience the mystery if really there is a person who knows me, understands my feelings and shall guide accordingly, because I couldn’t ever find such a person in material world. No one would reciprocate properly. Those whom I considered my best friends were best of worst bargain to keep myself going in life. I felt I was odd one out in this world. I was disappointed to see flaws in all relations.

Today my spiritual master, other vaishnavas and Krishna have taken that place and answered my mystery.

Having gone through permutations of combinations of all experimentations to remain happy, I have concluded reason or no reason, nothing except Krishna Conscious will satisfy. So this is one thing. I know this is Absolutely “The One”, no choice.

The main impetus or ikigai to practice the Krishna Consciousness regularly is anything that will help me to become established in my real identity beyond conflicts and bewilderment and the other ikigai is to become qualified to live up to the expectations of my spiritual master from me.

Eager to know Prabhuji’s “ikigai”.

your servant
Shridhar Das

Mahabhagavat Das SDA, 02nd May 2016

Hare Krishna!

My “Ikigai”… I know that all problems are caused by a lack of Krishna consciousness. I know I am not Krishna conscious. Thus I have no other hope other than to be truly Krishna conscious, and I know only too well how much I am lacking in every single area of my attempt, so truly, no other hope other than to trying being truly and genuinely Krishna conscious.

Sincerely,
Mahabhagavat Das

Brhadnath dasa, 04th May 2016

Hare Krishna,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Srila Gurudeva.

I could not believe that this thought has been echoed by YG, my idol. “I know I am not Krishna conscious” Prabhuji, these words are to be found in the minds of neophytes like me who do not care to utter but cannot be adduced to YG .Could be a slip of some keys on the board.
I took to Krishna consciousness in the autumn of my life after going to so many places of so called godly consciousness. When I read BG as it is for the first time, Srila Prabhupada just mesmerized me with altogether different purports. I had been reading BG(some other editions) for long but could not proceed beyond Ch-2 and that too without fully going through Ch-1, thinking that the Lord appears in Ch-2 But when I started reading ‘BG as it is’ and came to verse 1/41, I read the purport several times. Prabhuji,we observe shradha kriya and perform certain rituals with the help of brahmanas and then offer food and other articles to them. But Srila Prabhupada’s instructions to offer remnants of prasadam to ancestors and virtually uplift them struck me and with half reluctant family members we followed Srila Prabhupada. The brahmins were also offered the usual money etc with prasadam, but without performing ritualsetc. This is still being followed in our family and some other relatives. This way Srila Prabhupada entered our life. we would listen to lectures and try to understand with the help of devotees. I started chanting 16 rounds within a fortnight. Yadi prabhupada na hoite, then what would have happened.Srila Prabhupada ki jai. As earlier shared, my punishment at work became a wonderful sojourn to some other world. But the real take off was after joining the “ultimate self-realization” course. Srila Gurudeva is really from Golokadhama showering mercy profusely on sinful souls like me. Reading Prabhupada books with the group is another experience. I’m learning the steps to Krishna consciousness due to your mercy and think myself on the stage of bhajan-kriya. Srila Prabhupada in one lecture has said that,”as you are more and more engaged in spiritual activities, so, proportionately, your material activities and affection for material activities will diminish. Counteraction. When you engage in the spiritual activities, your material activities diminishes.” HH Gopal Krishan Goswami, once said that if you attain the stage of anartha nivriti during this life time then the achievement is more than sufficient , may be His Holiness had householders like me under reference. I also take solace from reading SB 11.20/27,28 and repent on my occasional bursts of anger and other material activities and taking shelter of the group.
My “Ikigai” is to attain the stage of “anartha-nivritti” with the help of the group, but if not in this life due to previous / or present sinful actions may be in the next, and I’ve no regrets.

Brhadnath dasa

Sundar Gopal Das, 04th May 2016

Hare Krishna!
Dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisance.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to Srila Guru and Gauranga

First of all hats off to HG Mahabhgavat Prabhuji for coming up with such an brilliant idea to instigate all of us to ponder over the ‘ikigai’ factor of our Krishna Consciousness at individual level.

I can summarize my ‘ikigai’ of Krishna conscious as- a truly and significantly purposeful progression of life towards an eternal and blissful reality.

A brief break-up can be as follows :

Incredible HD Philosophy: Before coming to Krishna consciousness I (and all of us) knew “Man is mortal”. Whereas here the rudimentary foundation of Krishna Consciousness is based on “Every living entity is immortal”. The na hanyate hnaya mane sarire revolutionize the entire definition of our so-called life and take us towards a resolution of Higher Dimensional (HD) existence of eternity, knowledge and bliss.

Elixir of life : The process of chanting of Holy Name
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
and sravanam i.e. hearing of Krishna Katha for the natural revival of our innate divine nature is simple, but at the same time so necterean that I can’t help but keep on experiencing the exponentially increasing bliss -anandambudhi bardhanam-by the mercy of my spiritual masters and vaishnavas.
Enlightening Variegatedness : Previously I had a misconception that religiosity or spirituality means some ritualistic activity or just om shanti om type inactivity. But here Srila Prabhupada has presented the real essence of spiritual culture with so much enlightening engagements that soul’s instinctive dynamism is perfectly aligned to dovetail the wandering senses at the service of their true master- hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate (CC Madhya 19.170) .

That’s all about a brief sketch of my ‘ikigai’ of Krishna consciousness…..

With regards,
Sundar Gopal Das

Please subscribe to daily inspirational emails from His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari (Writings and lectures archived at www.sda-archives.com), written fresh every day from his travels around the world sharing the highest spiritual knowledge with everyone. Sign up now at www.joincourse.com