Loving Relationships with Devotees

Just as birds have the natural psychological tendency to flock together, we humans also have the same tendency. In this regard Lord Krishna confirms in the Bhagavad-gita that we develop our consciousness according to the type of company we keep. If we associate with materialists, we become materialists. And if we associate with devotees, we become Krishna conscious. Therefore if we want to be successful in our spiritual lives, we must cultivate loving relationships with devotees and always remain absorbed in those relationships. This will save us from gliding down to the animal kingdom in our next births.

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: How to Deal With Physical Cravings?

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am not sure if this is an appropriate question to ask you. But since I am overwhelmed by it, I thought to share with you. I have an intense longing for sex pleasure. I am aware that this craving will not help me to advance in Krishna Consciousness, but still I have it. When I'm sober, I chant and I try to stay away from it. But when I'm overwhelmed and my mind burns I start staring inappropriately at females. When I am going somewhere or watching movies explicitly depicting this act I feel as if this is the pleasure I want in life.

Many a times, I feel that there is a tug of war which goes inside my mind and I feel that I am trying to run away from something that I love the most. Please tell me how I should deal with this. Please forgive me if you feel I have asked in an inappropriate way.

Thank you.
Your insignificant servant.

Answer: Will You Serve Krishna or Your Genitals?

I am very happy that you have asked this of me. It is not at all inappropriate. In fact, it is most appropriate.

You are dealing with an addiction, which has kept you entangled in the cycle of birth and death for countless lifetimes. Finally after eons of endless suffering you have been blessed with the human form of life, which affords you the opportunity to escape this suffering by regaining your original eternal, deathless, ever-youthful existence in the wondrous spiritual sky. So now you have a choice of either giving in to this addiction of serving your genitals and going down to the animal kingdom again to get better facility for genital enjoyment as a pig or a monkey--or conquering over this genital stimulation addiction by serving the Supreme Lord and entering into an eternal existence of unlimited bliss. It is a matter for your thoughtful analysis. If I give you a cup of poison, will you drink it? So stop drinking the poison of pandering to your foolish whims of unrestricted sex enjoyment. If you want sex enjoyment, that is all right. Get yourself married and live peacefully with one wife using your genitals to produce saintly children. You must stop this animalistic habit you are now indulging in, which will force you to take birth as an animal in your next life.

From now on you must stop agitating your mind by watching mundane movies or looking at porno. Don't stare at women. And whenever you happen to see a woman you should see her as your mother, not an object of sex enjoyment. Don't overindulge the tongue with excessive sweets and rich foods because these stimulate your sexual passions. Whenever you are disturbed by thoughts of sex, chant the Hare Krishna mantra repeatedly again and again until the lusty thoughts evaporate into oblivion. In this way, if you will make an all out effort, by the grace of guru and Krishna you will break free from the chains of this disease and become a happy, liberated fully Krishna conscious man.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari