Q: Why is it dangerous to trust
one’s own intellect?
A:
Our intellect, the deciding power of the mind, has five faults known as ‘Panch
Klesh’. One of these is favorable attachment (love) to the world,
while another is unfavorable attachment (hatred) to the world. One is ‘Fear of Death.’ The fourth
fault is ‘ignorance,’ and lastly, pride. These 5 faults of the intellect cause our decisions to be faulty.
Q: Why do I feel so critical of
others?
A:
If we are faulty, we tend to see faults in everyone we see, even in
saintly souls. The faultless ones see the good in everyone. The worldly person
sees one fault in someone and magnifies it, whereas the divine one sees one virtue in a person and
counts it as unlimited virtues.
Q: Our scriptures recommend
worship of the Guru. Please explain, as I feel strongly that we should not worship humans.
A:
God in the form of Ram and Krishna descends to earth and performs divine
pastimes but appearing on earth in the human form does not make
Him worldly. Likewise, when a divine teacher of men appears on earth, he should not be judged
to be an ordinary human. Guru is an individual soul who has attained God. He possesses all the
divine qualities of God. As such, he becomes equal to God. Scriptures do not recommend worshipping a
human. They recommend worshipping the divine Guru.
Q: The greatest service rendered
to God is the one we perform mentally. Why then is there a need to serve physically and financially?
A: It’s true that the highest
service we render to God is the one we perform mentally. At the same time, serving God physically purifies the
material body and inspires us to meditate on God. Serving God financially purifies the impure wealth and
brings about a natural detachment from the material world. Ones who are able to do so, should
serve with body, mind and wealth. Those who cannot serve financially, should serve with body
and mind. Those who cannot serve physically, should serve financially and mentally. Those who cannot
serve physically or mentally, must serve God in their mind.
Q: I am not able to cry while
singing the glory of God. Why?
A: Pride prevents us from shedding
tears before God. It may be the pride of beauty, wealth, health, youth, status, intelligence, or even the false
pride of being an advanced devotee.