Improving and making progress in the path of bhakti is simply about creating or losing a habit. Still, somewhere along the way, it’s become an event. Devotees really really work hard in the beginning – strive to keep the 4 regulative principles, fight against the family and the world at large (well, i did !), wake up at 3-00 am and take cold shower for Mangal Arati, and waht not –  and then stop almost everything that got us into being labeled as “Vaishnavs”. Once i reached ‘x’ number of rounds, and finally settled in the regulative principles, i became complacent, lost all enthu, and now i’m wondering what became of me.

For permanent change, habits need to stick around for the long run. In what way would i like to be excellent in sadhana? What do the high-level devotees – for example – Prankrishna Baba or Binod Baba  who are excellent in this way do on a regular basis? Can i do just one of those small things today? Of course one act does not build a foundation, but at least  it does get me started. i can start waking up earlier, complete my sadhana on one-aasan, ignore the zillion bells ringing during manra-smaran and yogpeeth, not speak in the middle of chanting one round………

With repetition and time, that one action will seem more normal. Once it becomes a habit, by Radharani’s mercy, it becomes part of who i am, and the transformation is complete.