Sacrifice is the key

[theist 1]

The human form of life is meant for expanding our conciousness beyond the immediate needs of our bodily "self" and mind.

 

The grossest form of materialism is simply to selfishly accumulate more and more while ignoring the needs of others.

 

 

TRANSLATION Bg 12.11

If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.

PURPORT

It may be that one is unable to even sympathize with the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness because of social, familial or religious considerations or because of some other impediments. If one attaches himself directly to the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there may be objection from family members, or so many other difficulties. For one who has such a problem, it is advised that he sacrifice the accumulated result of his activities to some good cause. Such procedures are described in the Vedic rules. There are many descriptions of sacrifices and special functions of the pumundi or special work in which the result of one's previous action may be applied. Thus one may gradually become elevated to the state of knowledge. It is also found that when one who is not even interested in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness gives charity to some hospital or some other social institution, he gives up the hard-earned results of his activities. That is also recommended here because by the practice of giving up the fruits of one's activities one is sure to purify his mind gradually, and in that purified stage of mind one becomes able to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Of course Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not dependant on any other experience because Kṛṣṇa consciousness itself can purify one's mind, but if there are impediments to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one may try to give up the result of his action. In that respect, social service, community service, national service, sacrifice for one's country, etc., may be accepted so that some day one may come to the stage of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord. In Bhagavad-gītā we find it is stated: yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānām: If one decides to sacrifice for the supreme cause, even if he does not know that the supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, he will come gradually to understand that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme cause by the sacrificial method.

 

[theist 1]

 

 

Translation Bg 18.5 Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up but should be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.

 

PURPORT

The yogīs should perform acts for the advancement of human society. There are many purificatory processes for advancing a human being to spiritual life. The marriage ceremony, for example, is considered to be one of these sacrifices. It is called vivāha-yajña. Should a sannyāsī, who is in the renounced order of life and who has given up his family relations, encourage the marriage ceremony? The Lord says here that any sacrifice which is meant for human welfare should never be given up. Vivāha-yajña, the marriage ceremony, is meant to regulate the human mind to become peaceful for spiritual advancement. For most men, this vivāha-yajña should be encouraged even by persons in the renounced order of life. Sannyasīs should never associate with women, but that does not mean that one who is in the lower stages of life, a young man, should not accept a wife in the marriage ceremony. All prescribed sacrifices are meant for achieving the Supreme Lord. Therefore, in the lower stages, they should not be given up. Similarly, charity is for the purification of the heart. If charity is given to suitable persons, as described previously, it leads one to advanced spiritual life.

 

[theist 1]

 

If one decides to sacrifice for the supreme cause, even if he does not know that the supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, he will come gradually to understand that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme cause by the sacrificial method.

 

From this one quote by Srila Prabhupada we can see how souls can make progress towards spiritual realization even though they may not believe in spiritual reality at their current level of understanding.

 

Like those who are fighting for the environment, animal rights, pro-life in regards to the abortion issue, helping the poor etc.

 

I believe it is important that while advocating all activities be done in Krishna consciousness we maintain a positive to the efforts others are making even though we can see the shortcomings in them.

 

IOW's we don't want people to stop doing making sacrifices for altruistic causes but where we can we try to enourage doing those activites in the spirit of devotion. If someone is resist to this idea there is no need to push it because just by their sacrifice Paramatma will help them towards further knowledge.

 

Sometimes I think we argue with others too much and need to be more accepting towards others. I know at least this is a lesson I need to learn.

[weallshineon 0]

Thank you for your realizations and sharing

[theist 1]

It helps me to see that Paramatma is active at all levels in trying to rescue the fallen souls.