Answer
The main point I was making is this: you must cultivate activated faith. Philosophical faith is necessary, but when you are actually practicing—especially in front of the Lord—it has to become active and living.
For example, if someone is physically in front of you and visibly receiving something—say you offer a sweet and they smile and accept it—you don’t need faith for that. It is direct perception. But the holy name is different. Although it is freely available to everyone, without śraddhā (faith), we do not recognize it for what it truly is.
Now, what is this śraddhā?
There are two kinds of faith:
1. Existential faith
This is faith in the existence of something unseen. Just like electricity—you don’t see the current, but you know it is there because the light is on.
Similarly, existential faith in the holy name means understanding that the Lord has fully manifested in His name, with all His energies. He is present in this transcendental sound, descending with the intention to bestow mercy and to accept our chanting and hearing—when done under proper guidance.
2. Relationship faith
This is faith in how you relate with that reality. For example, with electricity, you know: “If I touch this wire improperly, I will be electrocuted.” That is relational understanding.
Similarly, relationship faith with the holy name means knowing:
If I offer attention, He accepts.
If I offer service, He accepts.
If I offer my thoughts, desires, determination, and efforts—He accepts.
Even the simple act of chanting one round (one mālā of 108 names) is a form of work, a conscious offering—and that too is accepted. In this way, all the faculties of the soul are meant to be engaged in connection with Him. By “touching” the holy name in this conscious way, we become spiritualized and gradually rise above bodily identification, realizing our true nature as His part (aṁśa).
Now the challenge is this: to ordinary perception, everything appears material.
The holy name sounds like ordinary vibration.
The Deity may appear like stone.
But with śraddhā, we understand their true nature. When we saw a great saint like A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada walking, we could directly perceive he is a person—faith was not required in the same way. But to see the Deity as a person, or the holy name as non-different from Krishna, requires faith.
Why is this faith so important?
Because attraction depends on perception. If something appears attractive, your attention naturally goes there. But we have not yet seen Krishna or experienced śuddha-nāma (pure chanting) as described by great devotees like Rupa Goswami, who expressed that even millions of tongues and ears are insufficient to relish the holy name.
So how will attraction come?
Through faith.
When you hear such statements with faith, you think:
“I may not experience it now, but this holy name must contain immense sweetness.”
That faith itself creates attraction.
It is like hearing that a great treasure is buried in a particular place. You have not seen the jewel, but because you believe the statement, you feel drawn to that spot. The attraction is not from direct experience, but from trusted sound.
In the same way, by hearing from śāstra and from pure devotees like Śrīla Prabhupāda, attraction to the holy name develops.
So naturally the question arises: How do we develop śraddhā?
The answer is simple, but requires sincerity:
hearing—again and again—from the right source.
Repeated hearing, combined with contemplation. Contemplation means:
You hear,
You repeat,
You reflect,
You internally “speak and listen” to the same truths.
For example, consciously meditate on statements like:
“The holy name is Krishna Himself.”
Or take the direct words of Śrīla Prabhupāda—because his words carry spiritual potency. Repeatedly read them, hear them, and reflect on them. This gradually increases śraddhā.
Śraddhā itself is a kind of spiritual energy—it grows. And when it becomes strong, perceiving the presence of the Lord becomes natural and real. Then seva is no longer theoretical—it becomes a lived experience.
In the beginning, everything starts with faith. Later, it matures into direct realization and relationship.
So first things first: cultivate and protect your śraddhā through sincere hearing.
