Transcript Soul & Science of Self Realization

Leading
Meaningful
Lives
Based on the teachings of
His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada
Founder Acharya –
International Society for
Krishna Consciousness
Fundamental
Question
Who am
I?
Lord Krishna
explains
dehino ’smin yathä dehe
kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä
tathä dehäntara-präptir
dhéras tatra na muhyati
Bhagavad - gétä 2.13
“As the embodied soul
continuously passes, in this
body, from boyhood to youth
to old age, the soul similarly
passes into another body at
death.”
väsäàsi jérëäni yathä vihäya
naväni gåhëäti naro ’paräëi
tathä çaréräëi vihäya jérëäny
anyäni saàyäti naväni dehé
Bhagavad - gétä 2.22
“As
a person puts on new
garments, giving up old ones,
the soul similarly accepts
new material bodies, giving
up the old and useless ones.”
na jäyate mriyate vä kadäcin
näyaà bhütvä bhavitä vä na bhüyaù
ajo nityaù çäçvato ’yaà puräëo
na hanyate hanyamäne çarére
Bhagavad - gétä 2.20
“For the soul there is
neither birth nor death at
any time. He is unborn,
eternal, ever-existing and
primeval. He is not slain
when the body is slain.”
4 things which we all
are busy with
Eating
Animals also eat but
not is such a gorgeous way
Sleeping
Animals also sleep but may not in a
cozy bed in an aircontioned room
Mating
Animals may also may do so, but not
in a gorgeous fashion as man
Defending
Animals do in a crude way. We do
using the missiles and nuclear
arsenals.
Scriptures
point out
that...
... if we spend all our time in
• eating,
• sleeping,
• mating and
• defending...
...then we are
no better than
animals.
dharmeëa héna paçubhiù
samäna
Without real religious
principles, we are no better
than animals.
dvi-päda-paçu
Animals with two legs.
Western countries have
reached summit of
material advancement
Luxurious Houses
Skyscraper
Buildings
Jet Planes
Latest
methods of
communication
In spite of all this advancement, men are
 dissatisfied
 full of anxiety
 stressed
 depressed
& above all unhappy
WHY
?
Story of
Golden
Cage
Bible points out
“What profieth a man if
he wins the whole world
but loses the soul.”
Human life is meant for
athätho brahma-jijïäsä
“Now you have achieved
a human body, you
should enquire about the
Absolute Truth.”
In human life we are endowed
with intelligence to inquire





Who am I ?
Who is God ?
What happens after death ?
Why am I suffering ?
What is the real aim of my life ?
labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte
“We have attained human
form, which is very rare, after
many many lifetimes.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù
“Although human life is
temporary, it affords one
opportunity to attain highest
perfection.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
türëaà yateta na pated anu-måtyu yävan
“A sober man should quickly
endeavor for ultimate goal
before he falls into clutches
of death.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät
“Sense gratification (eating,
sleeping, mating, defending)
is available even in most
abominable species of life.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
Am I too young for
spiritual practices ?
Story of lady
approaching
Aristotle for
her child’s
education
Instructions of Prahlada Maharaj
from Srimad Bhagavatam
kaumära äcaret präjïo
“One who is intelligent should
use human body from tender age
of childhood to practice activities
of devotional service.”
durlabhaà mänuñaà janma
“The human birth is most rarely
achieved.”
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
“Although temporary like other
bodies, it is meaningful because
one can practice devotional
service and progress towards
ultimate goal.”
So what should we
do ?
Spiritual Master
Vedic
Human
Scriptures
Body
 expert captain
to
steer
the
 boatbreeze
 favorable
boat
Practical Tips
 Chant the Holy Names of the
Lord everyday, especially Hare
Krishna maha-mantra.
Practical Tips
 Read and practically apply
instructions of Bhagavad-gita &
Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Practical Tips
 Aspire to spend time with
saintly persons and make best
use of all such oppurtunities.
“Its really a
process
of
George
having
Harrison
realization of
God.”
“Everything
Jean Claude
started
happening
Halliche
for
me when
Youngest
DirectorI
of 3M Inc.
- France
began
chanting
(29 year old)
Hare Krishna.”
“Chanting Hare
Krishna
has
Albert
Brush
made
Ford a
tremendous
Owner - Ford Motors
impact in my
life.”
“I've been chanting
Hare Krishna for
many
N.D.years,
Desaiand
I've never found
Leading Indian
anything more
Industrialist
pleasurable. Just
try to
chant
(Apar
Limited,
GE5-10
Apar
Lighting, CEMA
Tubes,
minutes
a day
for a
Apar Infotech)
week and you'll
feel the
difference.”
“Chanting Hare
Krishna
has helped
Hrishikesh
me face
all
the
ups
Mafatlal
and downs in my
CEO
- Mafatlal
life
with
a great
Fabrics and
confidence
peace of mind.”
“Chanting helped
me give up bad
Anne
Schaufuss
habits. It changed
Dutch Model
my vision of
things.”
“By starting to
chant
Hare
Krishna,
Vicki
Overton
leading
Model
I feel European
tremendous
happiness.”
Marco
Ferrini
“Chanting
makes
me
feel
Italy’s top furniture
closedesigner
to God.”
“Mahä-mantra
David Wolf
significantly reduces
Master of Social Service
stress,
depression,
&
Program at Florida State
the modeUniversity
of ignorance
and considerably
Researcher for studying the
increases
mode
of
effects of chanting Hare Krishna
Mahä-mantra.
goodness.”
“If I start my day
on a spiritual
note
by
chanting
Stephen Farmer
Hare Krishna, I
Health
food store
can make
it
owner
through the day
in a pleasant
mood.”
“Chanting has
opened my eyes
to Mrs.
thingsGrace
I never
noticed.
Its
like
Acquistapace
beautiful music –
Housewife
a very peaceful
feeling, very
satisfying.”
“When I am
stressed out, I
chant. It’s one
thing
which
Paul Bleier
charges my
Printing
Executive
batteries. It
clears my mind
and brings me
back in focus.”
“When I’m
nervous
I
find
Mrs. Sally
chanting
very
Raleigh
claming. I don’t
Merchandiser
get shaken up at
little things.”
“My outlook towards
life is lot more
brighter, after starting
Bruce
Klienberg
to associate with Hare
Krishna
Armydevotees
Officerand
chanting the mahämantra.”
“Chanting makes
me more
perceptive,
more
Jane Lahner
in harmony with
Jewelry
Designer
everything and
everyone around
me.”
Hare
Krishna