Transcendental Activity: Devotion Through Work

The New Vrndavana experiment helps the young people in the Society direct their service toward Krsna. Most Americans are acquainted with Krsna through the Bhagavad-gita. In that Scripture, Krsna, speaking as the Supreme Godhead, gives instructions to Arjuna, a man caught in the complexities of daily life, how to attain Him, the ultimate goal of all. In brief, Krsna tells him to execute this work, but to do it for the sake of the Supreme. This is the primary message of the Gita. The New Vrndavana Project puts this message into practice. This is also the actualization of St. Paul's, "Whatever you do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord." It is not that Krsna consciousness is inactive in any sense. The practitioners engage in work which may appear to be ordinary work but is in fact devotional service due to the change in consciousness. Everyone in New Vrndavana is aware that his work is devotional in character and is directed to the Supreme Godhead because the factual proprietor of the land, of the buildings, of the temples, of the food, of the vehicles, tools and all the varied paraphernalia is Krsna. The awareness of Krsna's proprietorship enables the devotee to advance in Krsna consciousness while executing his daily chores.