Answer
Reading and hearing are extremely important, but they are not meant to remain merely intellectual activities. We read in order to live Krishna consciousness, and we hear in order to live Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is not simply a subject to study; it is a way of living eternal life.
Theoretically, it is true that simply by chanting Hare Krishna constantly one can attain perfection. The scriptures make that absolute statement. But we must honestly ask ourselves: Can we actually chant Hare Krishna twenty-four hours a day?
Our conditioned mind, influenced by accumulated karma and past impressions, does not allow us to remain continuously absorbed in the holy name. Therefore, the practical program given by our acharyas includes hearing, chanting, and preaching.
Preaching is not only for making others Krishna conscious. A major purpose of preaching is to engage our own thinking, feeling, and willing in Krishna’s service. Otherwise, those same faculties will naturally become absorbed in selfish desires and anarthas.
Every living being carries karmic forces from previous lives. Some karmic impressions create desires for enjoyment; others bring suffering. Throughout the day different thoughts, emotions, and desires arise from the subconscious according to past karma and the influence of time and the modes of nature.
You are not responsible for what automatically appears in the mind. You are responsible for how you respond to it.
If disturbing, sinful, or irrational thoughts arise, do not become disturbed. They are old impressions surfacing from the subconscious. The practice of Krishna consciousness is not to prevent every thought from arising, but to reject thoughts that do not please Krishna and accept thoughts that do.
A devotee may experience many disturbing thoughts, especially when he becomes serious about spiritual life. Devotional service often stirs up the accumulated dirt within the heart. One should actually be encouraged by this, because the impurities are being brought to the surface so that they can be removed.
The essential principle is acceptance and rejection:
Accept what pleases Krishna.
Reject what does not please Krishna.
A devotee can remain situated in pure devotional service even while old impressions continue to appear in the mind, because those impressions are not the devotee’s real identity.
The real ego is the soul—the eternal servant of Krishna. The false enjoyer-egos that arise from past conditioning are like ghosts or old memories. We should not identify with them. Instead, we should identify with our real relationship with Krishna and engage our mind and desires in His service.
Therefore, reading, hearing, chanting, and preaching work together. They gradually replace the conditioned patterns of the mind and establish the soul in its true identity as Krishna’s servant.
