Four Places To See God

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

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तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

The credit for the transformation goes to the guru. I previously was a skeptic. I was not a believer. I almost mocked people who did follow. Not directly to their face, but I pitied them for putting hope and prayer on something they had never seen, nor were expecting to witness anytime soon. I considered it an unproductive way to deal with being bewildered by the material energy, with this crazy thing we call life and the subsequent, guaranteed end known as death.

The spiritual master changed everything for me. I did not insist that they show me God. I was wise enough to avoid behaving so foolishly, but I still knew nothing about my true identity. I had no clue as to why I am here and the cause of my suffering.

The guru gradually showed me the way, as he has for countless others. This is the potency of the parampara system, with the highest wisdom, the Absolute Truth, descending through a chain of succession. Empowered teachers saw the truth for themselves. The Sanskrit term is tattva-darshi. They were then able to pass on that vision to others, and the proof is in the amazing vision of God found in all areas of life, even in places one might not expect.

1. In the dark raincloud about to drop torrents of water

“I was driving home one day and the traffic was bad. I was totally stuck, with nowhere to go. Not atypical for a Friday afternoon commute, as most people were rushing home to relax for the weekend, but something caught my eye on the horizon.

“It was the color, in particular. It looked as if it were about to rain. I had read about the shyama color from shastra, and how it compares to the complexion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. God in the personal form, in His all-attractive vigraha, has this unique color to His transcendental body.

“I felt so moved that I had to take a picture. It felt like the Supreme Lord was watching over us, taking care of everything. That rain was to be nourishing, but even prior to the fall the sight itself was a glorious reminder of everything that is good in this world.”

2. In the vast and endless array of trees in the park, planted and coordinated by nature

“As a child I never took notice. I would have no problem staying home and watching television for hours. I almost welcomed the dark, rainy days, since it meant that the family likely wouldn’t travel anywhere. I wouldn’t have to turn on my social game, exchanging pleasantries with people I did not see on a regular basis.

“In adulthood things have changed. I enjoy nature. I love seeing leaves on the trees. I like to walk outside periodically, especially when the weather is suitable. In my latest venture I could not help but notice the influence of the Almighty. The trees were arranged so beautifully, and this park was not designed by any government commission.

“Rather, the arrangement has likely been this way for hundreds of years. God is so smart that He knows exactly where to place things. His artistic talent is unmatched. If we want to replicate the natural beauty of the forest, we can try to copy it in a manmade production, such as a painting or drawing. Nevertheless, all glories to the original and the person responsible for it.”

3. In the love and support of friends and family

“I think you have to have some sort of ego in order to survive in this world. Otherwise, what would be the impetus for working? You have to be confident in yourself to the point that you will produce output with some sense of competition. You want to outdo at least yourself, if not others in your peer group.

“At the same time, life is very humbling. I know that I could very well be in a different situation today. I had no control over the circumstances of birth. I have so much love and support from friends and family. This is an extension of God’s mercy; I am sure of it. I am so lucky, and I am thankful for His assistance in guiding me through this difficult journey called life.”

4. In the beautiful horizon

“Sometimes I like to just look at the sky. I could stare at it for hours. It is said that beyond the sky is the heavenly realm, and even beyond that is the spiritual world. We can try to force entry through the use of manmade vessels, but that is a temporary solution. For permanent residence there is an application process, which involves worship in a formal sense and good behavior, i.e. karma.

“Rather than worry about where to go in the future, I love just looking out and appreciating everything that God has given. No matter how difficult my day has been, I can rest assured that tomorrow I will be able to see the sky again and be reminded of His amazing potency.”

…

These are just a few ways the transcendental vision manifests. The self-realized soul sees the Supreme Lord everywhere, and so He is never lost to them. Because of this superior consciousness, they are never lost to Him, either.

यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र
सर्वं च मयि पश्यति
तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि
स च मे न प्रणश्यति

yo māṁ paśyati sarvatra
sarvaṁ ca mayi paśyati
tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśyāmi
sa ca me na praṇaśyati

“For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.30)

In Closing:

Not with much effort to try,
Simply looking at the sky.

Something greater I can see,
That of bluish complexion is He.

And that support giving already,
Through friends and family steady.

In this way reminded across,
And so never to Him lost.

Five Reasons To Feel Morose

“Endeavor executed with intelligence in Krishna consciousness is called utsaha, or enthusiasm. The devotees find the correct means by which everything can be utilized in the service of the Lord (nirbandhah krishna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam uchyate).” (Shrila Prabhupada, Nectar of Instruction, Verse 3 Purport)

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1. The destruction of childhood

“For years we heard about the dangers of isolating. There were many derogatory accusations. The various spiritual societies are raising their children in a cult. The homeschool parents are inflicting child abuse by keeping their children from socializing with others. Unless you followed the ways of everyone else, you were somehow depriving the youngsters of a proper upbringing.

“Just see the situation now! What they are doing to children is the worst thing I have ever seen. The kids are lucky if they are allowed to breathe. They have been forced to stay at home, locked inside, with the only outlet for play and interaction the screen on their tablet, computer or television.

“Such a sad situation. Those years will never return. The trauma will stay with these children for a long time. They were robbed of everything by people I have no hesitancy describing as demons. These are their teachers and caretakers, supposedly. Just imagine how awful the world will be in the future.”

2. The total lack of religious principles

“It is now a crime in many places to congregate together. At a time when we need a connection to God more than ever, the outward expressions of devotion are prohibited. The rulers know better, you see. They are keeping people safe. It is too dangerous to meet with other human beings, since apparently the leaders have just discovered that there are such things as contagious respiratory illnesses, spread by human contact.

“The state replaces the Almighty, and this is the worst kind of god you can imagine. Changing rules, duplicity, secrecy, blatant lying – Lord help any person who has to rely on these authority figures for their wellbeing. I don’t see the situation turning around anytime soon, either.”

3. The passing of loved ones

“One by one they are leaving. It’s gotten to the point that I am afraid of speaking with loved ones and asking how they are doing. I know the answer will not be good. More bad news. Another person departing this world, and way too soon. They leave behind young children. What is the family to do?

“We cannot even meet with them to provide comfort. We cannot discuss our daily affairs precisely because there is nothing going on. Everyone is locked inside, afraid to interact. It has gotten ridiculous. This must be what people felt like enduring the world wars of the previous century.”

4. Falling behind in the race

“It always feels as if other people are doing better. If they are peers in the sense of raising a family, with young children in the home, they seem to be advancing further. That neighbor’s child can talk to adults with full comprehension, relaying past stories and understanding new concepts. My child still speaks like a baby. That neighbor is on their third child, while my wife and I struggle to raise one.

“Another child knows how to use the restroom on their own, while we still have to purchase diapers. The friends have a close-knit community, with a good school nearby. What are we going to do, especially considering the degradation of the local school system highlighted by recent events? I would love for my child to make friends and interact with others, but I will never let them wear a bacteria-collecting cloth on their face for hours a day.”

5. Cheaters rising to the top

“There is the saying that cheaters never win, but I’m not so sure about that. The worst of the worst seem to be leading society right now. The leader of the nation is known for sniffing young children, and their son has done unspeakable things with children in their own family, all captured on digital images and video.

“The worst part is no one seems to care. It is like they are covering up for one another. One deviant after another, in a vast network, lecturing the rest of society on principles of morality. Everything is completely upside down, and you can’t voice your objection without facing severe consequences.”

…

The acharyas of the Vaishnava tradition recommend utsaha in devotional service. This is enthusiasm, and it is one of the glorious decorations on the person who is fully connected with the Almighty, in the link known as yoga.

With so many reasons to feel morose, utsaha appears to be antithetical. How can we be enthusiastic about any endeavor with so much going wrong in the world and our personal sphere? Why be happy in worshiping the Almighty, when the world He created has descended into chaos?

The explanation is that every aspect of life can be utilized for further increasing consciousness of God the person. Every challenge is another opportunity to praise God and be thankful for His blessings. It requires some intelligence to make the connection, to see things in the proper light, but when such vision becomes clear then there is full enthusiasm to the endeavor.

We have the inspiration of past leaders and great personalities, such as Shri Hanuman. Everything was going wrong for Shri Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, and Sugriva, the leader of Vanaras in Kishkindha. Though there was the opportunity to complete the great mission of finding Sita Devi, Hanuman only ran into one obstacle after another.

He remained enthusiastic, though sometimes the lack of success temporarily brought him down. He continued enthusiastically, supported by Rama the entire time. Even after completing the mission and reuniting the Divine couple, Hanuman did not stop in his service. He remains in this world for as long as Rama’s glories continue to be told, and this is one reason to enthusiastically recite the holy names on a daily basis: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

The list of problems long,
With today so much wrong.

That children locked in their home,
Feeling isolated and alone,

To worship together now a crime,
Lectures from villains to find.

But still reason for enthusiasm so,
Since everything as God’s will to go.

Two Options Upon Learning Of Impending Death

“If one refuses to act under the direction of the Supreme Lord, then he is compelled to act by the modes in which he is situated. Everyone is under the spell of a particular combination of the modes of nature and is acting in that way. But anyone who voluntarily engages himself under the direction of the Supreme Lord becomes glorious.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 18.60 Purport)

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1. Do nothing

It won’t matter anyway. Every person has the same fate. We share a common bond. Though we may appear at different times, under different circumstances, we will meet the same end. There is variety from beginning to end. One person is born in a wealthy nation, while another is left to suffer under the cruel hand of dictatorship, which plunders the resources of the country.

One person grows up properly educated. They feel tremendous pressure from the family to succeed in academics. They hear folklore of generations past, of people who finished first in their class and then went on to distinguished careers. The same must be followed; lest they be considered a failure. Comparisons are made to peers, the children of friends of the parents.

Another person grows up without any attention to academics. The omission in discipline relating to reading, writing and arithmetic causes an issue later on in life. When it comes time to finding a job in adulthood, for sustaining a family, this person struggles. They can’t settle upon a career; instead they jump from one employer to the next.

There is similar variety in terms of the experience in family life, travel, non-work interests, and so forth. At the same time, the final destination is never in doubt. Both of the aforementioned people will end up dead. They will be forced to leave everything behind. The target was fixed as soon as birth took place.

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्
ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च
तस्माद् अपरिहार्ये ऽर्थे
न त्वं शोचितुम् अर्हसि

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛtyur
dhruvaṁ janma mṛtasya ca
tasmād aparihārye ‘rthe
na tvaṁ śocitum arhasi

“For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.27)

Upon learning of this reality, a person might be inclined to do nothing. Why worry about right and wrong? Why be so interested in what others think of you? Who cares about making memories with friends and family? The hard drive gets wiped clean, so to speak, upon exiting the body. Nothing matters, in the long run.

2. Use it as impetus to follow righteousness, honor and duty

The same arguments can be used by the person following dharma. If death is guaranteed, what does it hurt to follow the principles of righteousness, as passed down in the parampara system? What is the harm in worshiping the Almighty on a daily basis, in dealing honestly, in working for a living, in focusing on paramartha?

If the excuse on the one hand is that nothing matters because of impending death, then the same excuse would apply to someone who wants to act in a proper way, based on how that is defined for them. They feel as if they are furthering a cause, in helping others to prepare for the future, which involves living.

A person is compelled to act all the same. They cannot abruptly abandon work and think that there will be nothing to replace it. The superior choice is to act in conjunction with the wishes and desires of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Based on the guaranteed-death paradigm, there is nothing to lose in this proposal. On the other hand, there is everything to gain, based on the testimony of others who have followed the path to fruition. They believed wholeheartedly in the message delivered by the spiritual master, who is the accurate representative of the Divine instructions.

The liberated souls achieved a level of happiness never before believed. They achieved everything prior to death, in fact. They did not have to wait for the end to get a glimpse of eternal life. The doubts on how to proceed were removed. They were no longer morose on the prospect of quitting the body, for they were assured of eternal association of the all-attractive one, who gives confidence to those who are struggling, such as Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

In Closing:

What have you got to lose?
If dharma option to choose.

Destination agreed the same,
But possible everything to gain.

If what others say is true,
That eternal are me and you.

Then the shelter of Vaikuntha found,
Where glories of Almighty abound.

Isn't Karma-Free Just A Convenient Excuse

“Everything is an emanation from the supreme spirit, and by His inconceivable power He can convert spirit into matter and matter into spirit. Therefore a material thing (so-called) is at once turned into a spiritual force by the great will of the Lord. The necessary condition for such a change is to employ so-called matter in the service of the spirit. That is the way to treat our material diseases and elevate ourselves to the spiritual plane where there is no misery, no lamentation and no fear.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.5.33 Purport)

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“I like the concept of ‘karma-free.’ I first came across it while reading about prasadam, in the context of food offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Though He is everywhere and everything, God is not inside of everything. He creates the material energy, is omnipresent through the expansion known as Supersoul, and at the same time is aloof from everything.

“Due to His causeless mercy and boundless compassion, He agrees to appear in ways that we can identify Him. That is the purpose of the deity or the basic altar area inside of a home. Obviously, God exists both inside of the home and outside, in the same way that the modern employee can conduct their business at both the office and at home, in most cases.

“The office still exists as a place of focus and attention. The employees engaged collectively for furthering a cause can meet together and hopefully make further advancement towards the goal. In the same way, the area in the home designated for spiritual life, for focused worship, can help a person advance quickly in the endeavor of spiritual life, which is the highest achievement for man, purushartha.

“In this special place devotees offer various items, such as incense sticks, lamps, water, whisk fans, and ringing bells. On a more advanced level, they may present food preparations before the deity, offering Him everything they have just made. This is a kind of sacrifice.

“The explanation is that the resulting food, which is the Lord’s mercy, is karma-free. It is prasadam, and it is distinct from food prepared for one’s own satisfaction. Karma is work that has accompanying consequences to the development of the body, either in this lifetime or a future one.

“Karma-free sounds great, in theory, but how do we validate? Isn’t it an easy way for someone to make themselves superior? I could say that I am karma-free in my eating pizza and cake, while another person gets derided as gluttonous. The people watching television are in maya, but my doing the same is furthering the purpose of explaining the science of self-realization, in gaining points of reference to be used in discourse. You could go on and on making cheap excuses for your behavior that is actually material in nature.”

The comparison we find in Shrimad Bhagavatam is to medicine, particularly therapeutics. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada uses the example of milk. Sometimes, in consuming too much dairy, we get problems in the bowels. Yet the very same milk, prepared in a certain way, can act as the cure for the ailment.

This material energy brings misery in three ways, tapatraya. It is a cause of bondage for the living entity, who is pure spirit soul. We are aloof from the temporarily manifest material energy, but at the same time we are in association. Therefore, we suffer from the interaction.

The very same material energy can be used for our rescue. That is how an activity can become karma-free. We are using the same ingredients that might otherwise lead to health issues and mental agitation, but since we are dedicating everything to the Supreme Lord, there is a healing potency.

Any person can make any claim in theory, from the full range of totally reasonable to the wild and crazy. Through practical application, we can make a test for ourselves. The same eyes that are used for perusing endless streams of viral videos and news stories can be utilized for consuming the timeless wisdom of Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam, which are preserved to the modern day in the original text.

Our ears can be used for hearing the sweet sounds of dedication in song to the Almighty, in listening to advanced yogis describe the complexities, intricacies, and endless glories of the Supreme Lord. After the fact, we can judge for ourselves if there is indeed a difference in nature, if somehow the material elements have come to life in a way we never previously imagined.

In Closing:

If pleased by offering is He,
Then entire engagement karma-free.

Though with material elements using,
For higher purpose choosing.

Any person any claim can make,
Truth from the evidence to take.

That dedicating some time to hear,
And experiencing understanding clear.

Three Characteristics Of Hanuman's Life In Liberation

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.15)

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माम् उपेत्य पुनर् जन्म
दुःखालयम् अशाश्वतम्
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः
संसिद्धिं परमां गताः

mām upetya punar janma
duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam
nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ
saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

1. After having met Vishnu face to face

If you have several eyewitnesses to an important event, they may not provide an identical description of what took place later on. If asked to relay the significance to someone who was not there, as each person is an individual they may choose to highlight certain aspects and downplay others.

They might choose a specific background as a prologue to the story. There is also the possibility that the same eyewitness describes the event differently based on the time and circumstance. If disseminated in written form, they may add certain literary embellishments to enhance the beauty of the presentation.

In this light we come to know of Shri Hanuman’s meeting in the forest of Kishkindha with two handsome youths, who as warriors looked foreign to the area. Hanuman is a forest dweller described as the species of Vanara. Other Sanskrit words like kapi and hari indicate that the Vanaras are monkey-like in features and behavior.

At the behest of Sugriva, the king of Vanaras in that exile-space of Mount Rishyamukha, Hanuman descends the mountain to go meet the two youths and find out what they are up to. Hanuman goes in disguise, taking the garb of a brahmana. The princely order is known to be kind and charitable to the priestly order, so this type of interaction likely avoids any hostilities or apprehension.

The meeting is actually quite significant because Hanuman is coming in direct contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yogis otherwise spend years and years in unbroken and secluded meditation in order to hopefully achieve the same, though success is not guaranteed. Given the nature of the surrounding world, with its limitless distractions, to even endeavor to know God in truth represents a significant milestone.

बहूनां जन्मनाम् अन्ते
ज्ञानवान् मां प्रपद्यते
वासुदेवः सर्वम् इति
स महात्मा सु-दुर्लभः

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

2. After having served Vishnu in the most daring mission

In this meeting Shri Rama had something like a poker face. Hanuman kept talking and talking, but there was no discernable response from the other side. Rama was the elder youth, a warrior prince from Ayodhya. Rama’s younger brother, Lakshmana, was with Him. They were both impressed by Hanuman in that first meeting.

नानृग्वेदविनीतस्य नायजुर्वेद्धारिणः।
नासामवेदविदुषश्शक्यमेवं विभाषितुम्

nānṛgvedavinītasya nāyajurveddhāriṇaḥ।
nāsāmavedaviduṣaśśakyamevaṃ vibhāṣitum

“One cannot speak this way without having been well-trained in the Rig Veda, memorized the Yajur Veda, and thoroughly understood the Sama Veda.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana about Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.28)

Eventually, the ruse was up. Hanuman showed his real form and revealed everything about his intent. A friendship formed. There was so much trust in that initial meeting that Rama and Lakshmana agreed to climb onto Hanuman’s shoulders and be carried up to the top of the mountain to meet Sugriva.

Shri Rama is an avatara of the Almighty. We find the definitive list in shastra, in places like Bhagavata Purana and other important works. Rama was not assigned this title after the fact. Maharishi Valmiki, the great poet, blessed by Lord Brahma knew many of the events of the Ramayana before they occurred.

Hanuman met God, talked with Him, offered some service, but did not stop there. He went on to carry out one of the most dangerous missions in history. He and his Vanara friends frantically searched the earth for Rama’s missing wife, Sita Devi.

Towards the conclusion, Hanuman was the last person standing. A great physical barrier in the ocean prevented the other Vanaras from continuing. Hanuman leapt over that ocean and proceeded in the search, in a hostile territory, foreign to him, looking for someone he had never met.

3. After having pleased Vishnu to a level that cannot be repaid

Hanuman succeeded. He found Sita and managed to return to home base to give information of her whereabouts. At the time, Rama was so pleased that He directly embraced Hanuman. The work was not over, and everyone joined together to march to Lanka and rescue Sita. The wicked Rakshasa named Ravana was defeated in the process.

These are various characteristics to the life in liberation for Hanuman. He pleased Vishnu’s avatara of Rama so much that there is nothing the Supreme Lord can do in return. He cannot repay the favor, and Hanuman is not one to demand anything. As the shining example of pure devotion, Hanuman chooses to remain in this world for as long as Rama’s glories continue to be told.

In Closing:

Exceptionally brave and bold,
Remaining for as long as told.

Shri Rama’s glories so,
Blessed whoever to know.

Hanuman already setting,
In liberation stance getting.

But continuing in service to this day,
Supreme Lord never properly to repay.

Five Areas Where We Take Advantage Of An Ability

“One must dedicate everything in the service of the Lord. If one is a learned scholar, scientist, philosopher, poet, etc., then he should employ his learning to establish the supremacy of the Lord. Try to study the energy of the Lord in every sphere of life. Do not decry Him and try to become like Him or take His position simply by fragmental accumulation of knowledge.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.5.32)

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1. Typing

“What classes are you taking next year? I know that you get a few electives. Oh, you don’t want to continue with typing? I think you should reconsider. I have never seen someone as talented as you, and I have been teaching this class for years.

“I understand that in the advanced course next year you might be the only male student, but don’t worry about that. Focus on your work. The extra time dedicated to the craft will do you wonders in the future. Digital is the future, and the more comfortable you are on the keyboard, in conveying your thoughts, inputting data, modifying existing work and so forth, the better off you will be. You will have a tremendous advantage over your peers.”

2. Oration

“Do you see how well she speaks? No one can inspire an audience the way that she does. There is no competition; she not only knows public policy inside and out, she could sit and discuss raising children with you for hours. She has six of her own, and she has managed to stay home with them while keeping up with these public engagements.

“She should really run for office. You don’t want a talent like that to go to waste. She is the best spokesperson for our side, for representing the common person. They need help, as the forces of evil are aligned against everything we hold dear, such as family, religion and country.”

3. Excellence in sports

“You should enroll your child in some sort of organized sports. Not right now, but as soon as this madness ends where they are forcefully restricting the breathing of our children, without any scientific basis, in the name of keeping people safe or whatever.

“Seriously, though, children that young don’t typically do so well at kicking a ball or swimming. Yours is a natural, it seems. Encourage them, if they have interest, but don’t be one of those overbearing parents. Kids like these come along once in a generation, and it would be a shame if the rest of the world didn’t get to see that talent in action.”

4. High scores in math

“There are three primary math courses offered in high school where we live. They are in sequential order, with a state exam at the end of each year. Well, one student got a perfect score on all three examinations. Not one mistake; think about that.

“I think they are the next great physicist or doctor. The world could use good people in those fields. It would be a shame if such a person fell into bad sorts, through lethargy, depression, or alcohol addiction. Keep them engaged, challenge them to strive for more, and they will make the most of their God-given abilities.”

5. Endurance in the water

“Seriously, I have never seen someone so comfortable in the water. They can dive ten to twenty feet down, pick up weighted objects, and bring them back to the surface. They are not scared in the slightest. That is remarkable endurance, the likes of which would cause the military to take notice. We need heroic people in those demanding roles, where they can complete secret missions to further the national interest.”

…

This is just a small sampling, as each individual has a unique genius inside of them. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says, on the foundation of shastra, that such abilities should be used in establishing the supremacy of God, the one Almighty.

The statement is required since there is a strong possibility that the ability gets used in other, unprofitable ways. For instance, if I am a quick learner, sharp in intellect, I might get carried away to the point that I think I am smarter than everyone else, including those who believe in God.

If I have extraordinary strength, I might think that I could be the strongest person in the world, that no one will defeat me in a fair fight. As the universe is vast and complex, I could spend many lifetimes chasing the elusive post of greatest in the world, only to fall flat on my face in failure.

There is no compelling reason to compete with the Almighty, who is known as Krishna since He is all-attractive. He is not in competition with us, and neither does He intend to bring us down to earth, to humble us, if we should have issues with the false ego.

Rather, He knows that He is the topmost person, Purushottama, and so our natural position is to serve Him in love and devotion. Whatever outstanding abilities we receive are gifts from Him, benedictions in fortune. The goddess of fortune, Lakshmi Devi, dedicates her entire life to pleasing her husband, the Supreme Lord as Narayana.

Any fortune descending to us has the identical ideal purpose. Otherwise, the valuable time in the human birth is spoiled, as to what avail is a losing battle waged even with the sincerest effort and most focused intensity? On the other side, even a few seconds spent in glorifying the Lord will do me a world of good: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Woman of oration exceptional,
Focus work and family bidirectional.

Another an expert in typing field,
A maestro with keyboard to wield.

Whatever ability found,
Ideal when used to sound.

Glories of God and to know,
That forever the greatest so.

Are We Destined To Merge Into Brahman

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.12)

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न त्व् एवाहं जातु नासं
न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः
न चैव न भविष्यामः
सर्वे वयम् अतः परम्

na tv evāhaṁ jātu nāsaṁ
na tvaṁ neme janādhipāḥ
na caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ
sarve vayam ataḥ param

Friend1: Have you heard of this analogy involving pots and sky?

Friend2: What is it used to describe?

Friend1: I am guessing the nature of the spirit soul and what will happen after liberation.

Friend2: What is liberation?

Friend1: Mukti. Release from the cycle of birth and death. No longer suffering on the wheel of transmigration, changing from one body to the next. You get different philosophical schools based on the understanding of liberation.

Friend2: Personalist and impersonalist is the primary distinction.

Friend1: Yes, and so the impersonalist might use the comparison to the pot. If you put water inside of a pot, the water will take the shape of the vessel. Yet as soon as you remove the pot, the water takes a different shape. It might return to what it was previously, like the entire ocean.

Friend2: The same applies with the sky. The vessel is nothing more than an artificial barrier. The spirit soul stays inside of the vessel known as the body. That identity lasts for a number of years, on average.

Friend1: The goal of liberation is to shed the vessel, but permanently. Everyone leaves the current one behind at some point.

Friend2: Death.

Friend1: Which is not a significant achievement. No person has to try for it. It will occur eventually; this is the nature of time, who is known as kala. Liberation for the impersonalist is making sure that there is no vessel in the future.

Friend2: Then what happens to the individual?

Friend1: They merge into the collective. Like returning to the sky or the ocean. The individual soul merges into Brahman, which is the total spiritual energy.

Friend2: What happens to the vessels?

Friend1: They get left behind. Or maybe they get used for those individuals who have yet to achieve liberation. The vessels are prakriti or maya; they are not Brahman.

Friend2: Does this make sense to you?

Friend1: I can see why someone would believe it. It seems logical enough. What is the argument from the other side, from the personalists?

Friend2: They use Shri Krishna as the authority figure. He explains in Bhagavad-gita that every person existed in the past and they will continue to exist in the future. Nothing can remove their identity.

Friend1: Okay, but do I lose identity when merging into Brahman?

Friend2: Absolutely; if that is the goal. You can be Brahman-realized prior to giving up the vessel, also. That is a discussion for another time, but suffice it to say the vessel does not have to remain in the category of maya perpetually. It could be part of my spiritual adventure for a length of time; thereby removing any negative influence.

Friend1: If we don’t want to merge into the sky of Brahman, where do we go after liberation?

Friend2: If Arjuna, the direct recipient of Bhagavad-gita wisdom, will remain an individual moving forward, then he must have some kind of vessel. He will live as a liberated soul, following the instruction and guidance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Friend1: The vessel will just be of a different nature?

Friend2: Shifting in time and place. Krishna appeared in the material world, but He did not interact with maya. If Arjuna will be His companion in the future, they will not associate with maya. The personalist’s view is that there is something known as a spiritual body. In another realm, which is indestructible, there are residents who don’t live under the jurisdiction of karma and time.

Friend1: Vaikuntha.

Friend2: The place free of anxieties. It is the destination for the devoted souls, and even prior to quitting the body they are able to create a Vaikuntha-like atmosphere, through always maintaining a connection to Krishna and singing His glories: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Truth to keep in mind,
That never a time,

Where not living,
Nature a body giving.

Whether in past or future so,
With same identity as spirit to go.

Question then of to realm where,
Best when Shri Krishna standing there.