Our lives are largely shaped by the lack we experience. The lack we face drives us to seek fulfilment. For example, lacking money compels us to work hard and strategise ways to improve our finances. Lacking love drives us to seek relationships, socialise, and improve ourselves, creating opportunities to find true love.

Lacking skills pushes us to pursue education and training, enhancing our expertise and increasing our earning potential. In this way, our pursuits are often guided by what we feel is missing, leading us toward growth and fulfilment.

However, when it comes to spiritual knowledge and Bhakti, we often fail to recognize a lack in our sadhana and make no effort to improve it. We convince ourselves that we are doing enough and become content with where we are. As a result, we remain stagnant, lacking the intensity to grow. This complacency hinders our progress. The key ingredient in spiritual growth is intense desire or greed. Srila Rupa Gosvami explains…

Padyavali 14 – Quoted in CC Madhya 8.70
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā matiḥ
krīyatāṁ yadi kuto ’pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mūlyam ekalaṁ
janma-koṭi-sukṛtair na labhyate

“ ‘Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price — that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.’ ”

Without greed and utsāhān (enthusiasm) one cannot improve on one’s bhakti. Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport of NOI 3. Without enthusiasm, one cannot be successful. Even in the material world one has to be very enthusiastic in his particular field of activity in order to become successful. A student, businessman, artist or anyone else who wants success in his line must be enthusiastic. Similarly, one has to be very enthusiastic in devotional service.

Thus, Chanakya Pandit offers his advice in Chanakya Niti, Chapter 6, Verse 7.

One should feel satisfied with the following three things-
1.⁠ ⁠His own wife,
2.⁠ ⁠Food given by Providence and
3.⁠ ⁠Wealth acquired by honest effort;

But one should never feel satisfied with the following three-
1.⁠ ⁠Study of scriptures
2.⁠ ⁠Chanting the holy names of the Lord (japa) and
3.⁠ ⁠Charity

By feeling the lack in these areas, we will undoubtedly make plans to improve them.