we are controlled at every step

The chief engineer of a complicated construction does not personally take part in the construction, but it is he only who knows all the nooks and corners of the construction, because everything is done by his direction only. He knows everything about the construction directly and indirectly. Similarly, the Personality of Godhead, Who is the Supreme Engineer of this cosmic Creation, knows very well what is happening in the nooks and corners of the cosmic Creation, although the things are apparently done by someone else. From Brahma down to the insignificant ant, nobody is independent in material Creation, and everywhere there is the Hand of the Supreme Lord. All material elements as well as spiritual sparks are but emanations from Him only. And whatever is created in this material world is but the interaction of the two energies, material and spiritual, or the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna (Vasudeva).    (More...)

Unfortunately, our disease is that we are rebellious-we automatically resist authority. Yet although we say that we don't want authority, nature is so strong that it forces authority upon us. We are forced to accept the authority of nature. What can be more pathetic than a man who claims to answer to no authority but who follows his senses blindly wherever they lead him? Our false claim to independence is simply foolishness. We are all under authority, yet we say that we don't want authority. This is called maya, illusion. We do, however, have a certain independence-we can choose to be under the authority of our senses or the authority of Krsna. The best and ultimate authority is Krsna, for He is our eternal well-wisher, and He always speaks for our benefit. Since we have to accept some authority, why not accept His? Simply by hearing of His glories from Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and by chanting His names-Hare Krsna-we can swiftly perfect our lives.    (More...)