The other day I was reminded of how easy it can be to be lulled into a false sense of security especially when it comes to our devotional life, thinking one self secure or more elevated than we truly are.

My mind wondered to a devotee who I knew some time ago, he was one of the first men I meet as for the first six months I only had the association of the mataji’s. I was mesmerized by his knowledge that appeared to surpass that of the devotees who’s association I had had up to that time.

But as time went on things didn’t appear quite the way they should, especially as they described themselves as one of the only few pure devotees, my basic understanding at that time was the purest devotee at that time HDG Srila Prabhupada was so humble he never described himself as pure.

Then came the delusion I am so pure that unlike other devotees I can do so many things and not be contaminated; I remember sitting one day and watching a video of the early days of ISKCON so many wonderful devotees so much enthusiasm could I experience and do the same today?

Sadly the work of these devotees were lost, well he wasn’t serious, they did this, they ended up doing that, this one left in disgrace, there no longer a devotee. But in reality with out them there would be no ISKCON, no wonderful books, no expansion; but the devotee explained that only pure devotees like him could understand or experience the real meaning of Krishna.

I remember also how quickly he left and stopped practicing himself, no one truly knows what happened or when he actually left, it was sudden and closely followed by those who had alined themselves with him and felt the same way.

It’s a thought that periodically enters my mind and in many ways scares me

How quickly even in this lifetime we can forget Krishna
And how quickly we find fault with devotees, past and present; not seeing beyond the material faults and personalities and seeing the service and difference made and even expansion of Krishna Consciousness through out the world.

And reminds me that I have to be constantly on the guard for I too can easily fall in to the trap of thinking I’ve made it and maya has no control over me; for this is the biggest illusion that can overtake devotees.

And also reminds me of the importance of following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, my guru maharaja and promises made at initiation and how what is asked is asked simply to safe guard me from once again forgetting Krishna.

For I have seem practically how quickly and subtilely this can happen and it truly does scare me.