The talks based on this powerpoint are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MwB5XV0snA https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=qdkiSA-O9Fc

1. Understanding the
six stages of inner
purification or
anartha nivrutti

2. Map of inner territory
Bhagavatam (1.2.6-16-20)
Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (1.4.15-16)
Madhurya-Kadambini (2.7)
1.

4. 6 stages in anartha nivrtti
Utsaha-mayi (Exhibition of enthusiasm)
Ghana-tarala (Mood swings)
Vyudha-vikalpa (Seeking alternatives)
Vishaya-sangara (Fighting with temptations)
Niyama-akshamah (Inability to follow rules)
Taranga-rangini (Caught in side-benefits)

5. Utsaha-mayi
 Zeal and pride of a new convert
Eg. Weight loss regimen
 Judgmental about anyone not
following their standards – My path,
my guru, my practice is the best

6. Be understanding, not condescending
The distance between indulgence and
abstinence is not the same for all

7. Ghana-tarala
Intensity & laxity in
bhakti
Find healthy ways of
dealing with discomfort

8. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable
Discomfort
Devotional stimuli
Stability
Default response
Indulgence
Lowered consciousness

9. Vyudha Vikalpa
Searching for easy
alternatives
If we wait for inspiration,
we are waiters, not devotees

10. Vyudha Vikalpa
Perfectionism is a serial killer
on high heels
Pleasure is too cheap a
purpose to make life
meaningful

11. Vishaya-sangara
Safe Zone
Temptation Zone
Indulgence Zone

12. Surges of the Urges
Persist between
Create obstacles
Find anchors

13. Niyamaskhama
Inability to stick to our resolutions
Stay focused on Krishna:
Our strengths can become our
weaknesses, and our weaknesses can
become our strengths

14. Taranga Rangini
Delighting in bhakti’s fringe benefits
Pursue bhakti for purity, not for
productivity and popularity

15. Taranga Rangini
Let outer preaching about Krishna be
the result of inner reaching to Krishna,
not a substitute for it

16. Just keep going
We are not specially fallen – many
others have weathered the same
storms we are facing now.