Answer
You are saying that despite our sincere efforts, sometimes certain things simply do not change. Is that correct?
The most important factor is desire.
You may observe that someone has not changed over time. Why? Because that person has not made sufficient effort to change. They have not recognized that a particular quality is unfavorable for devotional service, nor have they developed the desire to give it up.
Chanting the holy name gives us the strength to change, but chanting alone does not force transformation. Your free will and your desire are essential.
Please understand this carefully: our desire is supreme in bringing about change within ourselves.
If you are not determined to change, undesirable habits will not simply disappear one day on their own. First, you must learn from guru, sadhu, and shastra what is unfavorable for devotional service. Then you must develop genuine dislike for those unwanted qualities.
You should think:
"I do not want this quality. I dislike it because it is unfavorable for Krishna's service."
If you do not decide to reject it, why should Krishna remove it? If you still have affection for a particular habit, Krishna will not forcefully take it away.
Therefore, desire and sincere determination are extremely important for rapid purification.
You have already received the most powerful association—the holy name, which is an unlimited ocean of spiritual potency. But if you yourself do not want to change, what more can be done? The Lord never forces anyone because He always respects our free will.
It is like pouring water on a fire. If you stop pouring water on the fire, the fire will naturally continue to burn. Similarly, if you stop nourishing your unwanted habits, spiritual progress becomes much easier.
At the very least, remain firmly determined.
You may fail at times, but your determination should always be:
"I want to overcome this."
If you do not even have the determination to change, your old habits will simply continue. Without the desire to give up a bad habit, no real transformation will take place.
Even if you decide to give up certain bad habits, success is not guaranteed without the mercy of the holy name and the mercy of the spiritual master.
At the same time, guru's mercy and Krishna's mercy do not override your own free will. They do not transform you against your wishes.
Desire is the cause of our existence.
It is because of our desires that we have accepted a particular body and situation in this material world.
That is why people say:
"God helps those who help themselves."
Your desire is extremely important. When you genuinely desire spiritual advancement, your association becomes highly effective.
You should actively seek positive association. Then that association will transform you.
If your old habits are not changing, it usually means one of two things:
You have not properly understood that the habit is harmful.
Or you have not sincerely desired to get rid of it.
The process is actually very simple.
You shape your own destiny, and Krishna helps you according to your desire.
That is why we see unlimited varieties of living beings, bodies, and circumstances in this world. Krishna simply allows us to experience the results of our own desires and karma.
In one sense, you have created your own body, mind, and present condition through your previous desires and actions. Karma is extremely powerful.
The encouraging news is that you can also dissolve your old karmic tendencies.
For that reason, every day you need transcendental knowledge.
First comes knowledge. Then realization arises:
"This habit is not good. I am pouring water on the fire of my spiritual life. I should give it up."
Fortunately, we have already been given all the necessary weapons:
The holy name
Guru's mercy
Sadhu-sanga (association of devotees)
Shastra (scriptures)
Hearing and reading transcendental literature
Proper association is the real cause of transformation.
If you want to transform your body, mind, and consciousness into that of a devotee within a few years, then you must actively pursue that transformation.
Continue reading Srila Prabhupada's books, associate with devotees, understand these teachings deeply, and make a firm determination.
Then, at every step, Guru and Krishna will help such a sincere devotee.
Each devotee's own initiative is extremely important.
Today you are a devotee because you decided to become one, and the Supersoul permitted that decision to manifest.
Similarly, you must now decide to remove your unwanted tendencies.
Through proper association, you hear about the qualities, character, and thinking of advanced devotees. Gradually you become inspired:
"This is the proper way to think. I should not think in my previous way."
That is how genuine transformation takes place.
