People like to accumulate. In fact, the whole airline interest industry is supported and based on the reward systems they have. They wouldn't exist today if they didn't have the frequent flyer programs. I saw a documentary about it. They got that idea from an idea that was in America ,circa 1960. I remember it well: it was Blue Chip Stamps. You used to get these little stamps you could paste in a book when you bought things, and once you filled out a certain number of pages, you could trade it in for exciting prizes. Even though the prizes were not that significant, the whole idea gave people this compulsion to collect Blue Chip Stamps.

And the airline industry figured that out—that people seek some reward. So they started this reward system, and it's the only reason they hold it together today. People are compelled, like, "I'm going to fly this airline because I get points, I get miles, and then I could trade it in for an upgrade someday." And when you get on that, a little plastic red carpet you can walk on like, "I'm over here. You guys are over there. You guys are losers."

Puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana... even if we have a sense of, "What do I get out of this?" Bhāgavatam says, puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana: just by hearing, you are accumulating this spiritual asset that will come to bear someday, that you'll be able to use that. You have to have that asset. It's also mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gītā. Kṛṣṇa says that the human life is meant for daivī sampat, and Prabhupāda gives it in that context that you're collecting it. You should get daivī sampat, or spiritual assets, so that you can be strong and take to spiritual life; otherwise, people fade away.

So, hear, chant, remember, and perform devotional service with the idea that "I'm preparing myself so that I can stand on my own two feet." And that's called niṣṭhā. We come to a point when we have enough spiritual asset that we're no longer pushed around by the lower urges. And that day comes for anyone who sticks to the process of devotional service.

There are two ways to do it. If you chant haphazardly or offensively, then you'll come to the goal someday, but it'll take a long time. But if you become focused and regulated and apply yourself, then the process is very quick. It's described in many places as coming very quickly: 'satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ taj-joṣaṇād āśv.'

Āśu means very quickly. It happens more quickly than you might think, if you stick to the process. But it's always up to Kṛṣṇa. So this is the process given to us by our great ācāryas. And we have all the spiritual necessities and paraphernalia necessary. We just have to apply ourselves.

An observation: the mind can become overwhelmed and think, "Oh, I can never do this," but there is enough encouragement from Kṛṣṇa that, "Yes, you can," and even a little application will have an inordinate result. Therefore, we should be encouraged by Kṛṣṇa's words that whatever we can do, do. A little bit is better than nothing. If we feel that, "I wish I was more advanced," don't worry. Just do what you can now, and more will come as you're able to taste the flavor of The Holy Name and as Kṛṣṇa gives more facility in your life, or as is naturally available because of changes of different periods in your life, you get more opportunity. Just be ready for it to take advantage when it comes. (08:02)
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