Acting our way to feelings” means choosing conscientiously
to act based on our intelligence, even when our feelings don’t agree, till
eventually those actions engender supportive feelings.
“Feeling our way to actions” means letting our feelings
determine our actions and reserving intelligent actions for times when our
feelings agree with our intelligence.
Children usually feel their way to actions, studying and
playing as per their feelings. If left to themselves, most children would play
most of the time and wouldn’t study enough to have good careers. That’s why
responsible parents gently but firmly push them to study. Though the children
may initially sulk, over time, they realize the importance of studying and even
relish its joy.
We have grown-up bodies, but our mind still remains childish
– it impels us to feel our way to actions.
The human form offers us eternal souls an opportunity for
spiritual education that culminates in a glowing career of eternal life with
Krishna. We have grown-up bodies, but our mind still remains childish – it
impels us to feel our way to actions. Because our present feelings tend to be
material rather than spiritual, feeling our way to actions means that we keep
groping for fleeting worldly pleasures, thus staying trapped in material
consciousness. Consequently, we can’t avail
opportunities for spiritual growth and stay alienated from devotional
happiness.
The Bhagavad-gita (09.14) states that serious devotees
engage in devotional activities with rigid determination. Translated to the
idiom of this article, this verse urges us to act our way to feelings, that is,
to practice bhakti-yoga consistently, no matter how we feel. Though the mind
may sulk initially at such discipline, steady contact with Krishna stimulates
our swift spiritual growth. Soon, we realize the necessity of devotional
service as our savior from material existence and relish its glory as the
deliverer of life’s supreme happiness of pure love for Krishna.
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