So, you have to find that balance. That's where the skill comes in of being humble and being respectful and still seeing the other person as a soul who belongs to Krishna. You're not hating them, but you're setting your boundaries. Those boundaries are okay to set and it's important to set. It's okay to say no. Just because you're practicing humbleness doesn't mean you can't say no.
Let's say you're in the ashram and you're doing seva, and someone else says, “Oh, I also need this done. I also need some help here. Can you do this seva?” And, for whatever reason, “I have this physical limitation. I'm tired. If I keep pushing myself, I'll get stressed out, then I'll be more negative. I won't have a positive frame of mind, which I need to maintain here in the ashram, especially. I'll pay for it later. If I push myself now, then I'll be too sleepy for evening kirtan and satsang for whatever reason.” Many times you have to say, “No. I can't! I can't do that. I understand this needs to get done but…”. Again, you have to set your boundaries to protect your own devotion.
You know what's good for your mental space. You know what's good for your devotional feelings and attitude. So, you have to set those boundaries at the same time that you maintain that humble attitude that has been taught by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ji and Kripaluji Maharaj. So, with this in mind then both Mahaprabhu ji and Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj say. “Then remember Radha Krishna all the time, ‘nāmagāne sadāharihi’. Always chant the name of Hari.” And Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj says, “Always do Radha breathing.” You inhale, “Ra.” You exhale, “dhe”. At the very least, we can be doing that throughout the day if not chanting out loud if the situation permits it.
