Truth is always Absolute beyond relativity. It is the same for you, me and the third person. However, we have practical experience that people claim to know the truth which is often contradictory to one another. In other words, that so called Absolute truth seems to be relative to time, place and circumstance. This relativity is the cause of contradiction leading to confrontation.
Although Truth is Absolute still depending on our desire it is revealed fully or partially or not at all. So the dualities we experience in the name of truth arises from desires tinged with material motives. For such seekers who actually really only care for their own material motives see only their own motives manifest in the name of evidence or truth. This manifestation is not truth or its part but its shadow. Therefore every individual seeking the truth will be faced with Truth and its reflection. If we have even the slightest tinge of material motivation, our mind will be convinced of that shadow.
Those very few who are materially selfless in their motives will experience the Absolute truth to the degree they want it. Seers of truth have documented that the non-dual truth is experienced in a continuum of impersonal light to personal loving relationship with the Absolute. As a seeker we can stop at any part of the continuum. Not everyone will be willing to go the entire journey of seeking personal loving relationships with the Absolute. Most world religions or spiritual paths adhere to some aspect of a formless impersonal light as the ultimate truth.
If we are unsatisfied with impersonal realization we can continue our spiritual journey from impersonal to personal but that comes with a cost. That cost is to attain a state of full surrender and unconditional service towards the Absolute. In this state, there is a complete abandonment of "I" and unconditional acceptance of service towards the Absolute Truth. In the opinion of truth seekers, this is the ultimate and final realization of Absolute Truth. When we reach this stage, there is nothing more to seek or search.
Truth is one (also means only one religion) with varying degrees. Depending on our motivation, desire and conviction, that one Absolute Truth is revealed as a whole, in parts or as a reflection.
Hare Krishna
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Does Religion make the world a better place?
In my personal opinion, this question is a tough one to answer. I say this because today religion is so many things for so many people. There is no one definition of religion. Perhaps a broad definition could be anything to do with God or belief in a God could be identified as religion. All religions at the least operate on this definition.
Let me rephrase my question then – “does belief in God make the world a better place?”
Based on incidents in the 20th and 21st century, I have to say belief in a God invokes so much passion among people or groups of people that that passion is the hotbed for hatred, violence and bigotry. How can hatred and violence make the world a better place? Any objective person who looks solely at data will have to conclude the belief in God causes more damage than good.
So we are left with two choices (1) abandon religion and live a life based on one’s own internal values (2) dive deeper into the problem, analyze and learn from it. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if we practice the second option. The first option does not solve anything as there is no individual growth. People with opposite values is always the source of friction.
Srila Prabhupada once said that if there is counterfeit money then it implies there must be the original – so search for the original. Similarly religion can make the world a better place if we go deeper from believing in God to finding God. One who has found God in his life will not have the urge to find anything else of this world. In such a state, there is no internal agitation of mind what to speak of causing external agitation? In such a peaceful state, the seeker will find everlasting happiness.
So yes belief in God or religion will make the world a better place only if we use it to rectify our own internal faults and in that state of humility seek God. There is no other value system (be it civic or political or moral) that can help us transcend our own limitations in search of a higher truth. Only religion or search for God can set us free from our inner mind to which we are bound. Thus knowing the truth, we can be free from the shackles of bondage.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” – Jesus Christ
Hare Krishna
Let me rephrase my question then – “does belief in God make the world a better place?”
Based on incidents in the 20th and 21st century, I have to say belief in a God invokes so much passion among people or groups of people that that passion is the hotbed for hatred, violence and bigotry. How can hatred and violence make the world a better place? Any objective person who looks solely at data will have to conclude the belief in God causes more damage than good.
So we are left with two choices (1) abandon religion and live a life based on one’s own internal values (2) dive deeper into the problem, analyze and learn from it. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if we practice the second option. The first option does not solve anything as there is no individual growth. People with opposite values is always the source of friction.
Srila Prabhupada once said that if there is counterfeit money then it implies there must be the original – so search for the original. Similarly religion can make the world a better place if we go deeper from believing in God to finding God. One who has found God in his life will not have the urge to find anything else of this world. In such a state, there is no internal agitation of mind what to speak of causing external agitation? In such a peaceful state, the seeker will find everlasting happiness.
So yes belief in God or religion will make the world a better place only if we use it to rectify our own internal faults and in that state of humility seek God. There is no other value system (be it civic or political or moral) that can help us transcend our own limitations in search of a higher truth. Only religion or search for God can set us free from our inner mind to which we are bound. Thus knowing the truth, we can be free from the shackles of bondage.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” – Jesus Christ
Hare Krishna
Monday, March 10, 2014
Simply baffled!!??
I am in the US for the last decade and still baffled by the hypocrisy around animal welfare. Why do Americans spend $52 billion on dogs and cats as pets and kill 9 billion farm animals for food? This is such a stark contrast which can only be witnessed in developed countries such as America.
It is a shame that people cannot see the duplicity surrounding animals. How is a cow or chicken or duck or any farm animal any better than an animal such as dog or cat? In my opinion, this is ridiculous - as simple as that.
Kali Yuga at its best!!
Hare Krishna
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