Humility, Tolerance & Respect are 3 most Important virtues that we continuously try to cultivate in the practice of Bhakti.

There are many reasons why these are so important to cultivate. Here are just some of them;

Humility;

By being humble we place ourselves in our natural position, so to be able to serve god. We are all part and parcel of god, yet God himself is the ultimate controller, and therefore in humility we honour this truth and are better able to serve him and others in recognition of this.

Tolerance;

To be more tolerant allows us to also take this position of humility and not see ourselves as overly important which ultimately leads to fall outs and degradation of others. In the eyes of god we are all unique, yet all a part of him, none more important. By being tolerant we then detach ourselves from illusionary self importance and over reactions based on this.

Respect;

To respect others and not seek respect for ourselves also allows us to maintain our true position by preventing us from being self seeking and allowing us to be in a position of service, helping us to serve instead of seek. When in association with devotees this is reciprocated and being this way with all we live the teachings in the way that we practice.

By practicing Humility, Tolerance and Respect we are better able to chant and ultimately to connect with God.

As Lord Caitanya stated; “By being humbler than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, offering all respects to others and expecting none in return, one can chant the holy names of the Lord constantly.”

When we are able to chant in this way we reach out true state of happiness in connection to God. Nothing else in the material world can compare to this and so by practicing these virtues we  allow ourselves to be further situated in this truth and subsequently more able to connect with God.

There is no greater happiness than loving connection to  God and no status or possession can allow this for us. Only through our dedication and devotion in applying these principles and in our practice of bhakti.

It doesn’t mean that we are walked over by others but that others actions ultimately will not affect us anymore as we see through it and for what it is, only illusionary. As we recognise we are the soul not the body and seek to serve all from this truth.

Ultimately being humble, tolerant and respectful enables us to be greater servants to God. Our most highest constitutional position.

“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”
-Pope Francis-