How to Balance Bhakti with Worldly Duties?

Question: How to Balance Bhakti with Worldly Duties?

You are really a wonderful devotee as you take care of your worldly duties as well as bhakti path. I face much trouble in doing so. I face troubles in worldly duties and due to this my participation in Krishna consciousness suffers. Please suggest as to how I can maintain a balance in life.

Answer: Put Krishna First

If you want a proper balance between spiritual life and material life you must put Krishna first. You must offer your 24 hours to Him every day. Start by rising early every morning and chanting 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna Mantra on japa mala beads before the sunrise. You must also give up all sinful activities such as illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. You should only eat vegetarian foodstuffs from the category of fruits, grains, vegetables, and dairy products which have been offered to Lord Krishna with love and devotion. You should not waste your time watching television, going to the cinema, or reading mundane magazines and newspapers. You should instead spend your free time in studying scriptures and associating with Vaisnavas who are practicing pure bhakti.

If you will completely purify your life in the above mentioned ways, your activities of bodily maintenance such as eating, sleeping, and working will be 100% connected with facilitating your emancipation from the cycle of birth and death.  And you will swimming in the ocean of bhakti bliss 24 hours a day.