Establishing and Advancing our Relationship with Lord

“Advancement in Krishna consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower.” Srila Prabhupada, Preface NOI

Each one of us has a relationship with Krishna and in the most fundamental form our relationship is that we are part and parcels of Krishna, he is great and the source of our existence but we are his parts of his energy which is an integral part of our identity.

How we relate with Krishna is our choice. Most people in this are trying to forget God entirely. The Puranas like Srimad Bhagavatam writings say that we’ve come here in the first place because we want to forget Krishna, who doesn’t interfere with our free will. As long as we wish to avoid having a direct relationship with Krishna, our relationship is indirect.

First stage of indirect relationship are – envy and resentful—we may believe in God but not necessarily like him – selfish—we’re always asking what God can do for us. –antagonistic— atheists, or competitive—we may covertly wish we were God – apathetic—we may not care about God. These relationships only make us more morose and does not give us real peace and happiness.

Second stage ( could be in this life or next lives ) – relationships are categorized as one who is – distressed – who are dealing with material sufferings – the desirer of wealth – who are looking for money – the inquisitive – who is just curious – he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute – he who wants to know about God

After gradual purification when we inquire about our real identities and are done with this nagging sense of hankering and lamentation, athāto brahma jijñāsā , inquiring about highest truth. When our dissatisfaction finally becomes unbearable, and we’ve exhausted all other options, we turn to the supreme for answers to why we’re feeling empty. Krishna then arranges for us to meet his devotees, and from them we can relearn who we are and how to reestablish our lost connection with our source directly.

There are basically five ways to relate with Krishna directly:

• in awe

• as a servant

• as a friend

• as a parent

• In the mood of amorous attachment

What does it really mean to advance in Krishna consciousness? According to Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami, advancement is measured by the amount of love and attachment one has for Krishna. [Madhya-lila 22.71]. Advancing, therefore, means developing one’s personal loving relationship with Krishna.