plain living, high thinking
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Great sages and saints in the days of yore were not living in palatial buildings furnished with good furniture and so-called amenities of life. They used to live in huts and groves and sit on the flat ground, and yet they have left immense treasures of hi When there are ample earthly flats to lie on, then what is the necessity of cots and beds? When one can use his own arms, what is the necessity of a pillow? When one can use the palms of his hands, then what is the necessity of varieties of utensils? When there is ample covering, or the skins of trees, then what is the necessity of clothing?
(More...) The necessities of life for the protection of the body, etc., must not be unnecessarily increased. Human energy is spoiled in a vain search after such illusory happiness. If one is able to lie down on the floor, then why should one endeavor to get a good bedstead or soft cushion to lie on? If one can rest without any pillow and make use of the soft arms endowed by nature, there is no necessity of searching after a pillow. If we make a study of the general life of the animals, we can see that they have no intelligence to build big houses, furniture, and other household paraphernalia, and yet they maintain a healthy life by lying down on the open land. They do not know how to cook or prepare foodstuff, yet they still live healthy lives more easily than the human being. This does not mean that human civilization should revert to animal life nor that the human being should live naked in the jungles without any culture, education, and sense of morality. An intelligent human cannot live the life of an animal; rather, man should try to utilize his intelligence in arts and science, poetry and philosophy. In such a way he can further the progressive march of human civilization. But here the idea given by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami is that the reserve energy of human life, far superior to that of animals, should simply be utilized for self-realization. Advancement of human civilization must be towards the goal of establishing our lost relationship with God, which is not possible in any form of life other than the human. One must realize the nullity of the material phenomenon, considering it a passing phantasmagoria, and must endeavor to make a solution to the miseries of life. Self-complacence with a polished type of animal civilization geared to sense gratification is delusion, and such a "civilization" is not worthy of the name. In pursuit of such false activities, a human being is in the clutches of maya, or illusion. Great sages and saints in the days of yore were not living in palatial buildings furnished with good furniture and so-called amenities of life. They used to live in huts and groves and sit on the flat ground, and yet they have left immense treasures of high knowledge with all perfection. Srila Rūpa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami were high-ranking ministers of state, but they were able to leave behind them immense writings on transcendental knowledge, while residing only for one night underneath one tree. They did not live even two nights under the same tree, and what to speak of well-furnished rooms with modern amenities. And still they were able to give us most important literatures of self-realization. So-called comforts of life are not actually helpful for progressive civilization; rather, they are detrimental to such progressive life. In the system of sanatana-dharma of four divisions of social life and four orders of progressive realization, there are ample opportunities and sufficient directions for a happy termination of the progressive life, and the sincere followers are advised there to accept a voluntary life of renunciation in order to achieve the desired goal of life. If one is not accustomed to abide by the life of renunciation and self-abnegation from the beginning, one should try to get into the habit at a later stage of life as recommended by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, and that will help one to achieve the desired success.
(More...) Imported quote 13695 Another feature of the devotee is nirihaya, simple living. Niriha means gentle, meek or simple. A devotee should not live very gorgeously and imitate a materialistic person. Plain living and high thinking are recommended for a devotee. He should accept only so much as he needs to keep the material body fit for the execution of devotional service. He should not eat or sleep more than is required. Simply eating for living, and not living for eating, and sleeping only six to seven hours a day are principles to be followed by devotees. As long as the body is there it is subjected to the influence of climatic changes, disease and natural disturbances, the threefold miseries of material existence. We cannot avoid them. Sometimes we receive letters from neophyte devotees questioning why they have fallen sick, although pursuing Krsna consciousness. They should learn from this verse that they have to become tolerant (dvandva-titiksaya). This is the world of duality. Because he has fallen sick, one should not think that he has fallen from Krsna consciousness. One should not think that Krsna consciousness can continue without impediment from any material opposition. Lord Sri Krsna therefore advises in Bhagavad-gita, tams titiksasva bharata: "My dear Arjuna, please try to tolerate all these disturbances. Be fixed in your Krsna conscious activities." (Bg. 2.14)
(More...) Imported quote 14750 It is not a fact that jungles and trees attract clouds and rain, because we find rainfall over the sea. Human beings can inhabit any place on the surface of the earth by clearing jungles and converting land for agricultural purposes. People can keep cows, and all economic problems can be solved in that way. One need only work to produce grains and take care of the cows. The wood found in the jungles may be used for constructing cottages. In this way the economic problem of humanity can be solved. At the present moment there are many vacant lands throughout the world, and if they are properly utilized, there will be no scarcity of food. As far as rain is concerned, it is the performance of yajna that attracts rain. As stated in Bhagavad-gita:
(More...) Imported quote 17307 "Govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami." Our program in Krsna consciousness is to worship the Supreme Lord, Govinda, Sri Krsna. Those who are serious about yoga or spiritual life must necessarily go to the yoga authorities for genuine spiritual knowledge. Just as, if one wants to be a doctor, one must study with a doctor, similarly, to have spiritual realization one must associate with those who are accepted as mahatmas, great souls. The qualifications of such great souls are described by Lord Krsna in Bhagavad-gita, Chapter Nine, verse 14, to quote one of many verses which confirm the same principle: "They are always engaged in chanting My glories. Endeavoring with great determination, offering homage unto Me, they worship Me with devotion." In the Western world there is one such mahatma, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. My preceptor, Srila Prabhupada, is all that I know, and hence all that I can relate to you is simply what I have heard from his pure lips.
(More...) Imported quote 19989 In the old days life was not so much conditional and encumbered. The simple problems were then the problems of bread, clothing and shelter which were solved by the simplest process. By agriculture they used to solve the bread, clothing and shelter problems and industrialization was unknown to them. Thus they had no idea of living in big palatial buildings at the cost of sacrificing the boon of humanity. They were satisfied to live in the cottages and yet they were perfectly intelligent. Even the famous Canakya Pandit who was the Prime Minister of India during the reign of Candragupta, used to live in a cottage and draw no salary from the State. Such simple habits did not deteriorate his high intelligence and dignity and as such he had compiled many useful literatures which are still read by millions for social and political guidance. Thus the simplicity of Brahmanical culture was an ideal to the subordinate others of the society and in the Deductive way the subordinate orders, namely the Ksatriyas, the Vaisyas and the Sudras would follow the instruction of the cultured Brahmin. Such ways of approaching the Truth is always simple, plain and perhaps the most perfect.
(More...) Imported quote 21831 Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of 10 August 1976 and have noted the contents. Your idea and completion of the kirtana hall etc. is very nice. You can visit our farm projects at New Vrndavana and the New York Farm in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. They do everything very nicely and you can develop your farm on their model. That you are growing all your own grains is very good. It is my ambition that all devotees may remain self independent by producing vegetables, grains, milk, fruits, flowers, and by weaving their own cloth in handlooms. This simple life is very nice. Simple village life saves time for other engagements like chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.
(More...) Generally people are spoiling their lives for decorating the dead body and giving no attention at all to the spirit soul within. Our business is just the opposite, to give more time to the spiritual life and accept material necessities only as required. This makes life perfect. This is the Vedic way of life. We do not reject or accept anything until it is seen in the light of our Krsna Consciousness Movement. Anything favorable for Krsna consciousness we accept and anything unfavorable we reject, anukulasya sankalpah pratikulyam-vivarjanam.
(More...) Plain living, high thinking. Now, in the modern days, the high living and plain thinking. A Reflection on the Gosvamis • The speaker, Krsna, Prabhupada, emphasized the importance of chanting the holy name for all ages, especially in this age. • The speaker referred to the incident of Ajamila's deliverance from Srimad-Bhagavatam, which was written tens of thousand years ago. • The speaker emphasized the importance of receiving Vedic knowledge through the disciple chain, which is the business of the acarya. • The Gosvamis, who were highly posted ministers, were compared to the Gosvamis, who were either rich or great scholars. • The Gosvamis were exalted ministers in the government of Nawab Hussain Shah, but were living in poverty as poor mendicants. • The speaker, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada, introduced the concept of a sannyasi living in a palatial building, which may seem against the principles of the Gosvamis. • The speaker urged for the spiritual master to be lenient with the principles of Rūpa Gosvami. Understanding the Principles of Rūpa Gosvami and the Role of acarya • Rūpa Gosvami's principles are not about living under a tree overnight, but about making convenient means for people to attain them. • He recommends finding suitable means to attract people to Krsna consciousness, not just following rules and regulations. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Recommendations • Caitanya Mahaprabhu's principle is to chant the holy names of Hare Krsna for twenty-four hours to dismantle the structure of sinful life. • Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is sufficient to dismantle the structure of sinful life immediately. • Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is the greatest offense as it is a fact that one can become free from the effective result of sinful life. The Principle of bahudak • The principle of bahudak is that Krsna could talk with any living entity, not just mythological stories or fables. • Krsna's other quality is bahudak, which is natural as a father understands the language of his son. • This principle was proven when Krsna was present. Understanding the Language of Krsna • Krsna's language is not an allegorical fact but a fact that requires understanding. • Every living entity can speak, and understanding other's language is crucial. The History of Ajamila • The history of Ajamila's activities is not a story but a historical fact. • Hearing these stories can help one become free from the contamination of sinful life. The Confidential Teachings of Krsna • The teaching of Lord Krsna is highly confidential and should not be open to everyone. • The teaching that one must give up all religion and occupation is also highly confidential. Kirtana in Devotion • Kirtana is not just about chanting, but also about speaking about Krsna. • Speaking about Krsna should be with reference to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. • Praying and facing opposing elements is better than chanting Hare Krsna. The Culture of Bhakti • Bhakti involves following the spiritual master and always serving the Lord. • Regardless of speaking or speaking, one should always be engaged in the service of the Lord. • Arjuna's fight was not about pride, but executing the order. Understanding the Concept of Krsna and Brahmana • Krsna encourages preaching and meeting opposing elements. • It's important to follow the footsteps of your spiritual master or predecessor. The Importance of Bhagavata • Bhagavata should be heard from the recognized bhagavata, not from a professional man. • Professionals should not recite Bhagavata to earn money for their family expenses. The Absolute Supreme Personality of Godhead • It should not be heard from a professional or unscrupulous man who is not a Vaisnava. The Role of Policemen • Policemen are meant for the sinful men, not for the devotees. • If a devotee remains factually a devotee of Krsna throughout their life, they are not meant for the hellish condition of life. The Role of Brahmana • Brahmana means a person who is always clean, internally and externally. • Those who keep themselves clean are considered brahmana. • A sannyasi is recommended to beg from the house of a brahmana. The Power of Chanting • A devotee is never sinful, even if they have fallen down. • Ajamila, the son of a brahmana, rose up simply by chanting. • This chanting leads to no fear of falling down and no eligibility to go to the hellish condition of life. (More...) There is no need of machines and tools or huge steel plants for artificially creating comforts of life. Life is never made comfortable by artificial needs, but by plain living and high thinking. The sufferings of human society are due to a polluted aim of life, namely lording it over the material resources. The more the human society is engaged in the exploitation of undeveloped material resources for sense gratification, the more it will be entrapped by the illusory material energy of the Lord, and thus the distress of the world will be intensified instead of diminished. The human necessities of life are fully supplied by the Lord in the shape of foodgrains, milk, fruit, wood, stone, sugar, silk, jewels, cotton, salt, water, vegetables, etc., in sufficient quantity to feed the human race of the world as well as those on each and every planet within the universe. The supply source is complete, and only a little energy by the human being is required to get them into the proper channel. There is no need of machines and tools or huge steel plants for artificially creating comforts of life. Life is never made comfortable by creating artificial needs, but by plain living and high thinking. The highest perfectional thinking for human society is suggested here by Sukadeva Gosvami, namely, hearing sufficiently Srimad-Bhagavatam. For men in this age of Kali, when they have lost the perfect vision of life, this Srimad-Bhagavatam is the torchlight by which to see the real path. Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhupada has commented on the kathamrtam mentioned in this verse and has indicated Srimad-Bhagavatam to be the nectarean message of the Personality of Godhead. By sufficiently hearing the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the polluted aim of life, namely lording it over matter, will subside, and the people in general in all parts of the world will be able to live a peaceful life of knowledge and bliss.
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