One faces many ups and downs in spiritual life. Although devotional service is said to be full of happiness, because of not being totally imbued in divine consciousness, we face difficulties.

One fine day, a sadhaka might feel he or she has become a pure devotee with no hankerings. And immediately, the next day, he or she considers whether they are even worthy of associating of devotees. The senses crave obnoxious things. The mind goes crazy and insane at times. The intelligence goes for a toss.

How can we remain firm in mind and intelligence amidst innumerable sense objects?

Attachment to sexual gratification is the basic principle between a man and a woman. Although it has taken many diverse forms in today’s world, the principle of attraction remains the same, irrespective of one’s gender. When sensual cravings overwhelm a practitioner, they become bewildered and may act in ways unbecoming of their character.

What should one do when the senses irresistibly demand enjoyment?

1] An easy option is to simply give-in to the demands of the senses.
2] Another option is to convince the mind that this will be the last time it indulges in such activities, promising never to fall for this foolish behavior again.
3] A third option is to struggle hard to resist the mind and senses from acting in perverse ways.
4] And a forth option is to engage in something constructive to momentarily distract the thought.
5] Yet another option, while simultaneously applying the above approach, is to develop a foolproof remedy that nips the issue in the bud.

Many people choose the first and second options. A handful opt for the third and forth. The problem with the third option is that we are facing a very strong opponent which will definitely overpower us in due course of time. Forth option is definitely helpful, yet once we are free from our engagement, we may again desire to let our senses loose.

To root out the problem requires guidance from guru, sadhu and sastra. For preventing the ups and downs from pervading our existence, two simple solutions are described.

1] Service to Devotees:

Lord Vishnu tells to Narada the reason for his developing firm intelligence – service to devotees.

sat-sevayādīrghayāpi
jātā mayi dṛḍhā matiḥ
hitvāvadyam imaṁ lokaṁ
gantā maj-janatām asi
By serving the devotees for even a short time, a devotee’s intelligence becomes firmly fixed in Me. When they give up this material body, they go on to become Lord’s associates. SB 1.6.23

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes in his song emona durmati how his polluted intelligence led him to drown in this world. And how he was saved by Lord Caitanya’s devotee.

Srila Prabhupada told his disciple Upendra who was facing problem with connections with a woman to come and stay with him. Upendra found himself undergoing a complete transformation by the grace of Srila Prabhupada.

2] Chant the Holy Names:

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya gives the remedy for people addicted to material enjoyment.

saṁsāra-sarpa-daṣtānāṁ
mūrcchitānāṁ kalau-yuge
auṣadhaṁ bhagavan-nāma
śrīmad-vaiṣṇava-sevanam
Chanting the holy name and serving the Vaiṣṇavas are the only medicine for the living entities tormented by Kali. They are bitten by the snake of repeated birth and death, fallen unconscious, and in this way always attacked by maya.

There is no more potent method than chanting the Holy Names of Lord Krishna in Kali Yuga. Only a fool will give less importance to the Holy Name. If the entire spiritual world can become accessible by chanting the Lord’s Holy Name, can it not dissolve the nasty desires of sense enjoyment?

Therefore, Rupa and Sanatana Goswami pray to Mahaprabhu,
jagāi-mādhāi dui karile uddhāra
tāhāṅ uddhārite śrama nahila tomāra
You have delivered the two brothers Jagāi and Mādhāi, but to deliver them You did not have to exert Yourself very much. CC Madhya 1.192

sabe eka doṣa tāra, haya pāpācāra
pāpa-rāśi dahe nāmābhāsei tomāra
Jagāi and Mādhāi had but one fault—they were addicted to sinful activity. However, volumes of sinful activity can be burned to ashes simply by a dim reflection of the chanting of Your holy name. CC Madhya 1.194

One desiring to be free from sensual cravings and making one’s intelligence firm must use one’s intelligence in going deeper in these two principles. By this, one will surely be able to overcome the mundane musings of the mind and senses, and consequently develop attraction towards Radha and Krishna.