Being absorbed in Vedic spirituality guarantees a blissful life. There is no doubt about it. It’s amazing how it makes our lives so much more meaningful and fun to live. And what is interesting is that it does not take much for us to enjoy the simple pleasures that being aware of Krishna provides us. All we need is unending love for Krishna, which is very easy to develop once we develop the desire to know Him.
All these simple pleasures come from the same source – LOVE for Krishna. Pure Love. Eternal Love. Love that is based on wisdom, but not just on wisdom. Love that does not know any reason but is still logical. Love that has crossed the stage of analysis and philosophy. Love that knows no boundaries. Love that does not demand anything in return, not even reciprocation.
Below I provide a list of some of the most prominent activities that can provide us with simple pleasures while practicing love for Krishna. The majority of these don’t require much work. Some may require your time, while others may only require a shift of mindset.
So, you can just chant Krishna’s names while maintaining a beautiful picture of His in your mind. Or you can read the Bhagavad Gita. Or you can attend Srimad Bhagavatam classes. Or you can simply meditate on the fact of being a spirit soul.
Nearly all of these ideas apply to you if you are a fervent Krishna devotee who practices Vedic spirituality to the letter. If you read the Vedic literature from a philosophical angle, you can select what applies to you.
Of course, you may have more points out of your own unique experience to add to this list. Please mention them in the comments section below.
51 Simple Pleasures of Vedic Spirituality
- Imagining that Krishna is out there somewhere. He is real.
- Imagining that Krishna is watching us and holding our hands at this very moment.
- Imagining that we are spirit souls and not physical bodies.
- Realizing that our material pains and material pleasures are temporary.
- Imagining that we are a part of the Supreme Soul.
- Realizing that our ultimate purpose in life is to get back to Him.
- Imagining Krishna smiling, dancing, or playing with cowherds.
- Meditating on the peaceful flute music coming from His divine flute.
- Imagining yourself in the shoes of Arjuna while Krishna instructs you.
- Imagining Krishna’s pure romance with Radha.
- Seeing Krishna everywhere and in everything at all times.
- Praying to Krishna that we never forget Him.
- Crying our hearts out to Krishna.
- Meditating on Krishna’s universal form.
- Talking to Krishna as if He is sitting right in front of you.
- Chanting the names of Krishna.
- Chanting peaceful mantras such as Om Namo Vagwate Vasudevaya.
- Singing bhajans glorifying Krishna.
- Reading about the various pastimes and activities of Krishna.
- Reading a few verses of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Reading a few verses of Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Listening to lectures given by sages.
- Cleaning the temple of Krishna.
- Cleaning Krishna’s idol.
- Dancing in the ecstasy of love for Krishna.
- Cooking food to offer to Krishna.
- Offering food to Krishna and eating them as Prasadam.
- Preparing garlands for Krishna’s idol.
- Designing dresses for Krishna’s idol.
- Working for Krishna, dedicating all our actions and their results to Him (Karma Yoga).
- Observing fasts on special occasions according to the Vedic calendar.
- Decorating the house with Krishna’s paintings.
- Writing Krishna’s name.
- Drawing and painting the pictures of Krishna.
- Contributing to the spread of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in any way possible.
- Preaching the message of Krishna.
- Discussing Krishna’s activities.
- Discussing the philosophy of Vedic spirituality.
- Doing kirtan in association with devotees.
- Writing essays, poetry, and articles about the glory of Krishna.
- Attending Srimad Bhagavatam classes.
- Taking a pilgrimage to the places related to Krishna (Vrindavan, Mathura, Mayapur, etc.).
- Visiting Krishna’s temples.
- Watching a play that depicts Krishna’s activities.
- Distributing Bhagavad Gita.
- Donating to the distribution of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Giving up all kinds of material pleasures.
- Embracing simplicity in all walks of life.
- Adopting a minimalistic mindset and lifestyle renouncing everything unnecessary.
- Giving up all negative emotions like anger, ego, fear, desire, anxiety, and doubt.
- Choosing purity over impurity and enjoying the resulting bliss.
