Answer
Total surrender is a consciousness that we cultivate through the situations we encounter in devotional service.
Normally, when challenges arise, we rely primarily on our own intelligence, cleverness, strength, money, influence, or abilities. The entire material world operates on that principle.
A devotee also has intelligence, strength, and resources, but he offers all of them at the lotus feet of Krishna. He acts sincerely, yet he has faith that Krishna will provide whatever is lacking.
A devotee thinks:
“I offer my intelligence in Your service.”
“If my intelligence is insufficient, You will supply what is needed.”
“I offer my strength.”
“If my strength is insufficient, You will provide what is required.”
Success in devotional service is therefore the combination of our sincere offering and Krishna’s reciprocation from within the heart.
As we engage in service, we gradually learn to perceive this dynamic relationship with the Lord. Some devotees notice His guidance clearly; others learn to recognize it over time. The more we perceive Krishna’s reciprocation, the deeper our devotion becomes.
Regarding patience and tolerance, they arise naturally from spiritual understanding.
If I understand the laws of nature, I know that every process takes time. If I drop an object, it does not arrive at the ground instantaneously; it follows a process. Similarly, our chitta, mind, brain, habits, and samskaras have been conditioned over many lifetimes.
Changing that conditioning requires a process of practice (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya).
We must repeatedly:
detach from old conditioned patterns,
practice new spiritual patterns,
and remind ourselves: “This conditioned tendency is not my real identity.”
Patience is essential because transformation is gradual.
The real self—the eternal servant of Krishna—must gradually emerge from within the conditioned mind and body.
This happens through:
association with devotees,
the entire sadhana program,
chanting,
and especially reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Without transcendental knowledge, it is extremely difficult to develop qualities such as patience, tolerance, humility, and steadiness.
Simply deciding, “Tomorrow I will become patient,” usually does not work. Impatience arises from ignorance. As transcendental knowledge enters the heart through hearing, reading, and chanting, the reasons for impatience disappear.
Therefore, if we sincerely read Srila Prabhupada’s books and chant attentively, the Lord gradually transforms our character, and the qualities of a pure devotee naturally begin to manifest.
