xx The Nectar of Devotion

may be divided into two classes: one class may be for achieving a
certain goal, and the other may be for avoiding some unfavorable
circumstance. In Sanskrit, these activities are called pravrtti and
nivrtti—positive and negative action. There are many examples of
negative action. For instance, a diseased person has to be cautious and
take medicine in order to avoid some unfavorable illness.

Those who are cultivating spiritual life and executing devotional
service are always engaged in activity. Such activity can be performed
with the body or with the mind. Thinking, feeling and willing are all
activities of the mind, and when we will to do something, the activity
comes to be manifest by the gross bodily senses. Thus, in our mental
activities we should always try to think of Krsna and try to plan how
to please Him, following in the footsteps of the great Gcdryas and the
personal spiritual master. There are activities of the body, activities
of the different senses and activities of speech. A Krsna conscious
person engages his words in preaching the glories of the Lord. This is
called kirtana. And by his mind a Krsna conscious person always
thinks of the activities of the Lord—as He is speaking on the battle-
field of Kuruksetra or engaging in His various pastimes at Vrndavana
with His devotees. In this way one can always think of the activities
and pastimes of the Lord. This is the mental culture of Krsna con-
sciousness.

Similarly, we can offer many services with our bodily activities. But
all such activities must be in relationship with Krsna. This relationship
is established by connecting oneself with the bona fide spiritual mas-
ter who is the direct representative of Krsna in disciplic succession.
Therefore, the execution of Krsna conscious activities with the body
should be directed by the spiritual master and then performed with
faith. The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation.
From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection
between Krsna and a person cultivating Krsna consciousness is
established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, the
actual connection with Krsna consciousness is never performed.

This cultivation of Krsna consciousness is not material. The Lord
has generally three energies—namely, the external energy, the internal
