What is surrender?

Surrender to Krishna means to take shelter of Krishna in such a way that it is beyond all common sense, logic and human intelligence. Every day we have to use common sense and logic and intelligence to do even the simplest things of this world. We are trained from birth to behave and make decisions based on acquired intelligence and logic. Having thus been trained from birth; in schools, with parents, friends, our careers etc it is not not possible to go outside our realm of logic and intelligence. But what Krishna is expecting from us through surrender is that we come out of this realm of logic and intelligence, put faith in His words and trust Him in all conditions.

So for example when we are in difficulty the common sense thing to do is to defend ourselves or seek help but a pure devotee who is in full surrender will immediately not think of saving Himself but will immediately take shelter of Krishna seeking His protection. Such an action is devoid of common sense logic. When there is help, we seek it in a reflex way but a devotee will only meditate on the Lord immediately when in danger. Actually a devotee constantly meditates on the Lord’s glories in danger or not.

The reason one should go beyond common sense logic is because Krishna is beyond common sense and common logic. Krishna lifted a 25 mile round mountain when He was 7 years old. Which 7 seven year old can do that? It defies common sense. Krishna is beyond material analysis and thinking. Krishna is beyond our human intelligence. When we have faith that Krishna is indeed Supreme in this way, immediately we will meditate on Krishna beyond common sense and take shelter of Him at all times in that way. The famous example of Prahlad comes to mind where instead of using common sense to protect himself from danger, he simply prayed to Krishna for shelter…rest assured Krishna saved him in all circumstances.

Following in Prahlad’s footsteps, we also have to surrender to Krishna in this way beyond common sense, logic and human intelligence. Henceforth, for this reason people with advanced degrees or for that matter material minded people find it hard to “believe” in a personal God who is guiding everything with Supreme intelligence.

Hare Krishna

Albert Einstein’s Letter to Phyllis

In 1936, Albert Einstein wrote the following letter to a sixth-grade student, Phyllis Wright, in response to her question as to whether scientists pray, and if so, what they pray for.

January 24, 1936

Dear Phyllis,

I have tried to respond to your question as simply as I could. Here is my answer

Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people.

For this reason, a research scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by a prayer, i.e., by a wish addressed to a supernatural being.

However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of the laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually, the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in Nature also rests on a sort of faith.

All the same this faith has been largely justified so far by the success of scientific research.

But, on the other hand, everyone one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe – a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble. In this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naïve.

I hope this answers your question.

Best wishes,
Albert Einstein

My critique of the letter

The above letter by Albert Einstein gives a simplistic explanation of scientific research. He explains that research or science is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by the Laws of Nature.

A law implies systematic function over time.
A systematic function indicates a system.
A system indicates structure
A structure indicates hierarchy of order or cross-functioning relationships.
Order and functions operate on intelligence.

Therefore, by Einstein’s own words, he implies that there is a higher order or higher intelligence governing the systematic laws of nature. The scientists, however, are only interested in understanding how the laws function and not so much the system behind the law.

To give a crude analogy, it is like someone is interested in the laws concerning driving but not so much interested with the department of transportation that creates and implements the law. In one sense, one does not need to know the department to understand the law. However, this type of understanding is incomplete.

Unless one understands the functions and systems of a body of governance, it is very difficult to interpret and manipulate the laws completely and perfectly. In other words, incomplete and imperfect understanding of a law can lead to ultimate systems malfunction (disorder) thus defeating the original purpose of a law (that is to create order).

Einstein in his letter admits to the imperfect and fragmentary knowledge base of the scientific community. What he does not say is that this imperfect learning can do more harm than good. This we are realizing today. The issues of global warming, environmental pollution (air, water etc), species extinction, cross pollination of diseases between man and animal, gradual degradation of social and cultural ethos of man devolving him/her to mere animal propensities etc etc the list can go on. All indicate disorder or systems malfunction. The very laws that were created to help mankind is actually causing harm.

Einstein out of humility thus revealing his true intellectual genius admits the limitations and also writes that one who is serious about scientific knowledge is convinced of a Great Spirit above the laws. He is indirectly indicating about intelligence beyond our own. This is the beginning of Vedic studies. Where Einstein ends, the saints of the Vedic school begin that the intelligence of the universe is beyond our own and that our understanding is negligible in comparison.

Therefore, to actually be religious and scientific means to make this shift in paradigm. That is to scientifically study and admit our own infinitesimal position in relation to the infinite and religiously approach the Great Spirit (the Infinite) in a mood of humility and devotion to reveal the system, its laws and our relationship with it.

Then, our knowledge becomes perfect and complete.

Hare Krishna

21st century "less"

Our communication - Wireless
Our phones - Cordless
Our cooking - Fireless
Our food - Fatless
Our Sweets - Sugarless
Our labor - Effortless
Our relations - Fruitless
Our attitude - Careless
Our feelings - Heartless
Our politics - Shameless
Our education - Worthless
Our Mistakes - Countless
Our arguments - Baseless
Our youth - Jobless
Our Ladies - Topless
Our Boss - Brainless
Our Jobs - Thankless
Our Needs - Endless
Our situation - Hopeless
Our Salaries - Less and less

courtesy of my inbox

Hare Krishna

Death as a transformation point

The philosophy of Krishna Consciousness puts a lot of weight on the concept of “death”. Now for a common man, this may sound morbid and pessimistic. It is morbid and pessimistic only if we think “death” is the end of life. The Krishna Consciousness philosophy does not say that death is the end of life but rather death is seen as a point of transformation of the soul from one body to another. We die only to be transferred into another body with another set of rules and circumstances. It is important therefore, to visualize plan and live our daily lives not as “one life of 100 years" but as endless waves of different life forms (including plants and animals).

Just as, in my youth, I prepare for my next stage of adulthood and from adulthood I prepare for the next stage of retirement (old age), similarly it is important I prepare my current life for the next life. It is only common sense, assuming I accept the concept of transmigration of the soul into different bodies, to find a solution to put an end to the different bodies I will assume in the future. This continuous birth and death seems cyclical without much sense and hence futile (not to speak of the miseries associated with it). Therefore it is ok to talk about death as a tangible reality in the mood of transformation than as an end.

This whole conversation is out of the window if I think I have only one life to live. Of course I believe in the transmigration of the soul from one body to another and hence am preparing my current life for a better future (and that includes for future bodies).

If you believe in the concept of the transmigration of the soul, then please think about your next life and prepare for it now. Chant Hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna

What Srila Prabhupada really desired for us?

We want to see everyone is happy. That is our mission. ... everyone will be happy if they take to this movement. We want to see that everyone is happy. That is our mission. We don't want to exploit others.

- Interview -July 20, 1972, Paris

Sarve sukhino bhavantu. This is Vedic civilization. "Let everyone be happy." That is Vedic civilization. And the demonic civilization, they're: "Let everyone suffer; I become happy. That's all...Politics means planning for one's own happiness. That is politics. So in our society there should be no diplomacy, no politics. Everyone should be eager how to do good to others. That is Vaisnava. If he's planning something, that "I shall be leader," "I shall be doing something," that is not Vaisnavism.

- Morning Walk -March 15, 1974, Vrndavana

The Power of Words

Two things that impede

Two things impede our progress in spiritual life and our progress towards understanding God in truth and our relationship with Him. They are;

1. Pride
2. Spiritual Laziness

Hare Krishna