By Giriraj Swami

Much has been said about the power of positive thinking, that the secret to success is to think positively about what you want to achieve and that such thoughts will attract positive results–practically without limit. Such claims may foster a sense of optimism about the possibilities for material success, but how realistic are these claims, and how beneficial are these approaches and techniques?

I have always been impressed by Srila Prabhupada’s bold, frank realism and find it a refreshing relief from so much naive, sentimental optimism. After all, we are in the material world, and we stand to benefit if we consider all possibilities, even “negative” ones.

Speaking on Bhagavad-gita 1.6, Srila Prabhupada said, “Duryodhana first of all pointed out the military strength of the opposite side. This is intelligence. One should take calculation of the opposing elements, or the enemy’s side. In fighting, the first thing is to take estimation of the enemy’s side, how much they are strong, how they have arranged. Then one should calculate how to counteract, how to fight with them. This is intelligence. Without taking calculation of the other side, if you are not prepared, how can you become victorious?

“An intelligent man thinks not only of the bright side of this business, or this fight–so many things we have to deal with. There is a darker side also. We should always think, ‘If there is some thief, if there is some rogue, they may try to cheat us, so what precaution will I take?’ This is intelligence. If I simply calculate, ‘In this business I will make so much profit,’ and in the meantime somebody comes and cheats me and goes away . . . Therefore the darker side also should be thought of. That is intelligence.”

Although Srila Prabhupada’s view is balanced, one may think that he is being dark, or pessimistic, and that one who follows him will become “negative” about life. The fact is, however, that often one cannot obtain a greater gain unless he is prepared to give up a lesser one. Unless one is pessimistic about limited material possibilities, he may miss the unlimited spiritual possibilities that exist with God.

So, transcendentalists, devotees, are not pessimistic–or, they are both pessimistic and optimistic. As Srila Prabhupada succinctly expressed it, “The devotee is always pessimistic about the material world, but he is very optimistic about the spiritual life.”

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

“For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (SB 10.14.58)

Hare Krsna

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