Ever get frustrated? The common cause is setting unrealistic expectations. Then, when those expectations are not met, we get frustrated. After that, unchecked, frustration can easily lead to anger. Yikes. If you or someone you know experiences this regularly, please share this article!

In Krishna Consciousness, there are many paradoxes due to our limited intelligence in this bodily condition of life alongside the unlimited qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One of these paradoxes is that we know we are eternal souls who have resided eternally (longer than we can imagine) in the Kingdom of God, and yet we have also been here in the material world, eternally conditioned. Srila Prabhupada clarifies these obviously paradoxical statements by saying we have been in this material world so long that it seems eternal.

PATIENCE
When our expectations are not met, we can become frustrated, and frustration, left unchecked, can morph into anger. The irony of becoming frustrated, let alone getting angry, is that our original Father has been by our side, patiently observing and guiding us through each and every one of our innumerable lifetimes.

Despite all this knowledge, we cannot even be patient enough not to judge and criticize others, let alone accept them the way they are. What can we learn from this? Patience. And acceptance.

ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance is one of those words we could spend a lifetime unpacking. There are two primary aspects of acceptance in this context. The first is about accepting others. Srila Prabhupada offered a very satisfying response upon hearing ISKCON members criticize another ISKCON member when that person was experiencing difficulties and falling short of general expectations. Prabhupada compared this situation to a dirty person taking a shower. Would you criticize a person for being dirty when they are in the shower? The second aspect is accepting ourselves. This can be even more challenging for many of us, especially following a path that sets such high standards, represented by countless saints.

POSITIVITY
We all have our unique nature. Some of us are naturally more positive. How does positivity look? It looks happy, full of smiles, laughter, and sunshine. But, let’s not be mistaken. Positivity is not about living in a dream world and being unrealistic. The reality of the material world is that it is a temporary place where we come to learn the lessons of existence…who are we, why are we here, and so forth. It is a place of great suffering and also much joy, even if that joy, compared to the spiritual world, is temporary and fleeting.

FINAL WORDS
Once again, we return to the basics, to the eternal existential questions. Who are we? This is called sambandha jnana, which is knowledge of who we are, who God is, and our relationship with Him. Why are we here? This is called abhideya, which means serving others in devotion with humility and tolerance. What is the result of knowing who we are and our purpose in being here? That is called prayojana or love. It is pure and simple unconditional love in our relationships, even in this temporary, illusory world. Then, ultimately, our love becomes so boundless that Krishna cannot wait any longer and arranges for us to return to His eternal abode. And, for now, since humility manifests in a desire to serve others, we can practice devotional service under the guidance of guru, sadhu, and sastra. When that desire to serve unconditionally fully manifests, so does our unconditional love for all souls and Krishna.

Las opiniones expresadas no reflejan necesariamente las opiniones y creencias de ISKCON o ISKCON News.