Spiritual reformers under the mode of passion

Our reaction to problems is very much connected with the way the modes of nature are acting upon us, and I believe this is an important point to understand if we don't want to make the problem worse.

According to the influence of the modes of nature, we may react in different ways when we face problems. One in the mode of ignorance will tend to tolerate an unpleasant situation, not out of renunciation but just out of lethargy. The problem will bother him, but he will not want to do anything about it. Someone in the mode of passion will try to solve the problem, if necessary entering into conflict with others. Someone in the mode of goodness on the other hand may also tolerate, but based on a superior understanding of the temporality of this world, calculating that it is better to use his time and energy to advance in spiritual life instead.

The material mode of goodness appears when one is practically free from the influence of the lower modes, but not yet strongly connected with Krsna. There is something superior to that, which is the transcendental platform when one is not only free but there is a strong connection with Krsna. Someone in the transcendental platform may tolerate or work to solve the problem, according to the desire of Krsna. A person in the transcendental platform may also not even see the problem, being completely absorbed in the spiritual platform.

When we look around and talk with other devotees whe may notice so many problems in our movement, just like we would notice in any other society or group of people. People are imperfect and often don't act properly with others. Our reaction to that is very much connected with the way the modes of nature are acting upon us, and I believe this is an important point to understand.

When we are influenced by the mode of ignorance we may feel hopeless and despondent. We may have the idea that everything is lost and just lose hope, which is not positive for ourselves or for others.

If we are influenced by the mode of passion we may want to fix the situation, making campaigns, fighting people, and so on. The problem with this approach is that under the mode of passion, we may understand there is a problem but we will not understand what is the real solution for it. We will not be able to properly distinguish right and wrong, and as a result, we may end up doing more harm than good, and we may in the process harm others ourselves. We can see that there are many people online and offline trying to correct all the problems in our movement, but most of the time they do a lot of harm.

As we progress to the mode of goodness, this tendency of becoming a self-appointed reformer becomes less pronounced and we tend to focus on our own spiritual development, understanding that Krsna is in control and that we can't fix anything without first fixing our own consciousness. In this stage, we try to change ourselves instead of trying to change others. Although we may not do much to directly solve the problems, we end up helping a lot because our example inspires other devotees to also become serious in their practice, which conversely is the factor that really solves the problems.

It's not dificult to understand why is it so. All problems and injustices that appear in our movement are caused by the influence of the lower modes. When people are in maya they can act as instruments of Kali. Just like it's not possible to put off a fire by throwing ghee on it, it is not possible to solve the situation by acting under the influence of the same modes of passion and ignorance that are the causes of the problem in the first place. The only solution is to act in goodness and in this way gradually decrease the influence of the lower modes around us. We can see that all successful yatras have a number of devotees like that, who preach through their example, and not only through their words.

There is yet another platform, that can be observed in empowered preachers, who can act as true reformers due to their purity. The difference between these empowered preachers and ordinary busy foolish fellows is that they are acting not under the ordinary mode of passion, but under the guidance of Krsna, who is directly empowering them to accomplish a certain mission. This is however only possible for one who is capable of not only becoming pure from the influence of the lower modes but also developing a strong connection with Krsna.

The lamentation coming from the mode of ignorance leads one to gradually lose his faith and abandon spiritual life. The propensity for foolish action propitiated by the mode of passion leads one to enter into conflict and commit offenses that also gradually put him out of the path. It's probably even more dangerous than the first. On this path, one harms others and harms himself.

The only path for one who wants to become successful in spiritual life is to gradually learn to see things from the perspective of the mode of goodness. We must first fix ourselves before we can fix the situation around us, and the way to do that is by our example, instead of simply by words. Above all, we should not try to become reformers before we are directly ordered by Krsna (in the form of our spiritual master) to do so.