Radhanath Swami advices us to be in this world, but not of this world!

3-World

 

“To serve God, Krishna, to serve society better, we are willing to fly in airplanes, we are willing to live in palaces, we are willing to wear nice clothes, we are willing to drive in cars, and we are willing to use Blackberries, Apples, Microsoft and everything else. It is not from these things that we are getting our happiness from; but we are willing to use these things to share what we have.”- Radhanath Swami

The whole time I was in India during the 70s I really liked to live in jungles and I never slept indoors. I slept either in a cave, on a river bank or under a tree. I used to beg and just get some Rotis or some chipped rice. Then I went to a community of my Guru in America where there was an old dilapidated farm house about a hundred and fifty years old. There they served popcorn every night. And I thought, “This is so sinful that I am sleeping in-house with a roof and I am eating popcorn.”So I told one of my brothers there that I was leaving. And he said, “Why are you leaving?” I said, “There is too much sensual enjoyment here.” He looked at me as if I was completely mad. He said, “Nobody has ever left this place because of too much sensual enjoyment.” I said, “No. No. That’s honestly why I am leaving.” He said, “What kind of sensual enjoyment?” I said, “Sleeping under a roof in a house and eating popcorn.” He said, “Srila Prabhupad, our guru, taught us that if you can best serve Krishna sleeping under a tree, then you should not be attached to living in a palace. But if you can best serve Krishna living in a palace, you shouldn’t be attached to living under a tree. You are in Maya, you are in illusion. You are too attached to trees.” So I decided to stay. I was so convinced by Prabhupad’s words, that I even kind of ate extra popcorns.

If we taste the sweetness of God’s love through the chanting of God’s names, then we can be in this world but not of this world. And then whether we are eating apples or Emailing on Apples, whether we are eating Blackberries or talking to someone in another continent on a Blackberry, we could be happy, we could have a meaningful beautiful life.

–          Radhanath Swami

By RNS Articles

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39 comments

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring article. Guru Maharaj teaches us how to use everything in Krishna’s service.

  2. When i ponder deeply on this aspect of renunciation- It makes Sense but tooo difficult to practice. How can we have something and not enjoy it.

    But indeed its higher than artificial renunciation, it even provides newbies like me an opportunity to use the things of this world for the service of the Lord, and by gradually doing this and practicing spiritual practices that bring me closer to God- i can become detached from the things of this world and most Importantly ATTACHED to God.

    1. This kind of renunciation is a bit difficult to practice. The mind can easily cheat us: we could be using something for selfish enjoyment under the illusion that we are using that thing for selfless service. A spiritual mentor is important who can tell us when we go wrong.

      1. There is always a danger of leaning towards either of the extremes. But i do not think that there is any other solution, other than trying our best. What do you think Pr?

        1. Yes. Trying our best while sincerely praying to the Lord. Please give me a call.

  3. As HH Radhanath Swami often mentions, in one ear Krishna is whispering and in another ear Maya. Spirituality is whose words we are hearing.

  6. As HH Radhanath Swami says in this article, we have great vedic history where many devotees practiced true balance between material and devotional lives and perfected their lives.

  7. the best usage of the body, material things and time is in utilizing for the sake of Krishna and his devotees…,

  8. To cross over the complexities of this world one must follow the footsteps of saintly personalities like HH Radhanath Swami, who have unflinching faith in Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  9. Only persons who sincerely follow the path shown by the bonafide representatives of Lord like HH Radhanath Swami can surmount the dual nature of this world.

  10. “Be in this world but not become of this world”. It looks very simple and sounds very esoteric. But not so easy to practice without the blessings and guidance of great saints like HH Radhanath Swami who practice this principle very naturally.

  11. To be in this world but yet do not be part of the world require sincere practice of spirituality under the guidance of great souls like HH Radhanath Swami.

  12. To be in this world but yet do not be part of the world require sincere practice of spirituality under the guidance of HH

  14. “If we taste the sweetness of God’s love through the chanting of God’s names, then we can be in this world but not of this world.”

  15. Yes there is a taste of sweetness in chanting and serving the Lord.We will not be attached to the dualities of this world.

  16. Only with the association of exalted devotees like HH Radhanath Swami can we transcend the dualties of this world and not affected by them.

  17. Very true! We should be in this world but not of this world and we should everything in Krsna’s service.

  18. In this world of dualties we can only overcome the over attachment only by following the instructions of great saints like HH Radhanath Swami.

  20. in very lucid way swamiji is explaining imp of chanting name of God to to be in this world but not of this world

  23. Due to our conditioned nature, its not so easy not to be attached to the things of this world and at the time of melancholy, its even more difficult. As HH Radhanath Swami nicely explained in this article, if we are some how or get the higher taste of association of God, His holy name and devotees, all the difficult things become so easy and natural.

  25. Wonderful article, we can see how Swami ji was not expecting anything for himself and grateful to everything he got. Also he is showing by his own example how we should use everything for Krishna. Thank you for sharing.

  31. This is a wonderful instruction by HH Radhanath Swami, to be in this world and not be a part of the world.

  33. Superb explanation of how to use everything of this world for Krishna’s pleasure. then we can be in this world yet not of this world.

  34. If we taste the sweetness of God’s love through the chanting of God’s names, then we can be in this world but not of this world

    wonderful formula by HH Radhnath Swami. thank you for it.

  35. HH Radhanath Swami himself exhibits this quality of be in this world but not become one of this world perfectly.

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