From a young age, I wasn’t interested in travelling or sightseeing. Instead, I preferred spending time in nature or reading a good book. Even when travelling or socialising was unavoidable, I’d find a way to distance myself and have some time on my own.
After joining the monastery almost 16 years ago, I continued this same practice. I understood early on the importance of honouring my nature and needs, so I always made sure to have quiet time for myself.
Every evening after temple services, I go to my room, play some soft kirtan on my laptop and spend an hour or so before sleep reading scriptures, writing in my journal and worshipping and offering prayers to my Deity, Lord Krishna.
I also regularly go for walks in nature, often carrying my favourite scriptures or quotes from saints. While walking, I reflect on their meaning.
Spending time in nature and reading scriptures and writings from various saints recharges my spiritual batteries and keeps me physically well. Nature also offers immense benefits for mental health.
When I return to “the world” to take on various responsibilities, I then handle challenges much better. My spiritual charge allows me to see those challenges through the lens of scriptures and teachings from saints. I then take these challenges as direct messages from my Lord Krishna and spiritual teachers, sent to me to learn certain lessons and advance spiritually.
Even the most challenging moments became filled with spiritual insights, deep realisations and ultimately spiritual absorption.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.2.30 purport: The soldiers in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must always possess physical strength, enthusiasm and sensual power. To keep themselves fit, they must therefore place themselves in a normal condition of life. What constitutes a normal condition will not be the same for everyone, and therefore there are divisions of varṇāśrama — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa.
Ananta Gopal Das
09.04.2026
Bhakti Wisdom 