We may get the question: “If I am a soul
different from my body, then why can’t I realize myself as such?”
Because of our desire to enjoy bodily
pleasures, which binds our consciousness to the material level of reality and
blinds us to spiritual reality. The primary among such desires is lust.Human
life is an opportunity to recover the soul, that is, to release it from
spiritual forgetfulness by removing the covering of lust.
The Bhagavad-gita (03.38) gives three
analogies to convey how lust covers the soul. Gita commentators explain that
these analogies refer to the coverings on the soul in different species. The
analogy of the womb covering an embryo, which connotes the thickest covering,
refers to the soul in the plant species, where its consciousness is most
constricted. The analogy of dust covering a mirror, which connotes a thinner
covering, refers to the soul in the animal world, where its consciousness is
slightly more freed. The analogy of smoke covering a fire, which connotes the
thinnest covering, refers to the soul in human species, where its consciousness
is most freed – free enough to perceive spiritual reality.
By expertly stoking the fire, we can remove
the smoke and the fire can blaze forth. Similarly, by leading a regulated life
under scriptural guidance, we can remove the covering of lust and gradually
re-ignite our spiritual consciousness so that it illumines our path to eternal
life with Krishna. Thus, human life is an opportunity to recover the soul, that
is, to release it from spiritual forgetfulness by removing the covering of
lust.
If, however, we indulge unrestrictedly in
lust, as is becoming increasingly common in contemporary culture, then we
thicken the covering and transmigrate to the lower species. The soul on the
verge of being recovered becomes tragically re-covered.
Nonetheless, even amidst today’s
spiritually destructive culture, Krishna stands ever ready to protect, purify
and liberate us if we seek his shelter by practicing bhakti-yoga sincerely.
No comments:
Post a Comment