SIGNS OF THE TIMES

So I was listening to a lecture this morning and My teacher, Srila Prabhupada gave an interesting meaning of the word Violence. He explained that checking people from their natural advancement in life is the worst type of Violence. When such virulent activities happen, the signs of the times as we know it are sure to manifest: wars, over population and unusual weather patterns.

The Bhagavad-gita explains that whatever actions one great man performs common men follow, and whatever standard he sets by his example, all the world pursues. Basically, everything begins from the top. In bygone ages, the Kings were known as Raja-rishis or kings who knew and understood that the human life is a gift awarded to the living entity after transmigrating through so many species. Their duty as kings were to set the example of leading a balanced realized spiritual life, nothing to do with mundane religiosity, as well as a material life of allotted enjoyment- not usurping the resources of nature.

This human form of life is meant for self realization- that through this human body one can understand his real identity as spirit soul. This form differs from others in the fact that one can think about higher topics. If i were to sit and read Bhagavad-gita to a dog or cat, the living being inside will surely understand the subject matter, but his conditioning, a dog's body, will not allow him to act accordingly. So the Human body is a great gift and should be used for great purposes.

So the violence happening now is the forward march of the world towards better means of gratifying the senses, old men are prescribed Viagra for better sex life, better beds are created for longer sleep, the tongue is requesting next to abominable eatables and oh, what to speak of defense. People are led everyday by various advertisements that happiness and peace comes from outside: the girl/guy wearing the latest fashion will be your source of happiness, the latest electronic gadget will surely calm your souls quest much better than the 8 track of long ago, nay better than the calming flowing rivers and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees.

And for this end, others are being exploited to the point of wars being raged on their own soils. As a friend of mine asked, whats our oil doing on their soil? All the while we never hear of the knowledge people really need to be happy and peaceful. Where is the University that is teaching the science of the soul? Most of what is thought, if i should venture there, is Vocational training meant to prepare one for the race towards a better form of gratification.

As the sages have taught us, real education means to refrain from being a victim of body dictation. We all like to think how much we are in charge right? I'm independent, I know what I'm doing, I have it ll figured out; but why then are we still under the control of our own bowel movements? When nature calls , who dares say no? AHA ! LOL.

So who's the boss again? Nature, but the boss of this body. Therefore real knowledge means to learn how to control the many urges the body and mind demand from us. That is the road followed by true spiritualists. Such a person is in true control of life and can therefore guide others to better and greener pastures, not the one who can't even control his own bodily dictates.

I'll leave the rest for your thinking :)

Good Morning.

But before I go ....

The best way to counter act this is to be an example of what the real use of human life should look like. Now, that's a big test. And we are all trying step by step. Join the movement, join the march.