Page 36 - BIKC - Eng

18 BRAHMACARYA IN KÅÑËA CONSCIOUSNESS

“super-brahmacärés”—as if unkindness and rudeness to women
were proof of their freedom from sex desire—is actually indicative
of their agitation. Indeed, undesirable traits such as the desire to
dominate or impress others, unnecessary anger, and voracious
eating are all symptoms of sex desire manifest in different ways.
Attachment and rejection are two sides of the coin of the mode of
passion. Neutrality and detachment born of sattva-guëa are
required of a steady devotee. One must come to the mode of
goodness to maintain brahmacarya. In goodness, knowledge and
renunciation develop.
Our philosophy begins with ätma-jïäna—we are not these
bodies, male or female. So we shouldn’t develop a superiority
complex: “I’m a big renounced brahmacäré. Who are these less
intelligent women?” Who knows, possibly in our last lives we were
in women’s bodies and the women were in men’s bodies! Still, we
must keep the distinction. “Danger—keep your distance.” Don’t
be rough, don’t be rude, but don’t worry about being considered
odd or anti-social by being distant. Better be safe than sorry.

ATTITUDES IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE

One of the most important statements about Kåñëa
consciousness is in Çréla Prabhupäda’s Preface to the Nectar of
Instruction: “Advancement in Kåñëa consciousness depends on the
attitude of the follower.” Çréla Prabhupäda has stated that anyone
can become a pure devotee of Kåñëa immediately, if he simply
desires to. Advancement in devotional service means to purify our
desires, and pure devotional service means to be fully absorbed in
serving Kåñëa without even the subtlest desire for any personal
sense gratification.
Only the most fortunate people can come to Kåñëa
consciousness. People come to devotional service for a variety of
reasons. Some are seeking shelter from intense distress, others are
looking for a simple, alternative lifestyle, some come out of
curiosity, to see what it is all about, some because they want a
cleaner, better life for themselves and their families. Some are
directly searching for God and the meaning of life.