From the beginning, sraddha, to the end, prema, faith is the essential ingredient. A doubting person cannot make progress. Acting on our original faith, we can progress to associate with devotees, take vows of initiation, become steady, attached, and develop taste. Then the first bud of love of God begins to open. Faith is cultivated by good association and by chanting and hearing. Please, Lord, keep my faith protected and always growing, so that I may not stagnate at the neophyte stage of doubting. I shall practice faith and attain devotion to Radha-Krishna without disruption or delay. That is my earnest request.
(_Japa Transformations_)
Faith is the essential ingredient.
With a beginning
feeling of sraddha we think,
“This chanting of Hare Krishna
seems nice. Let
me try it.” And that leads us
step-by-step
to the higher
stages. We want
to associate with
the devotees, get
initiated, become steady, receive the taste.
I pray to the Lord to protect my faith
and let it grow.