Leading Meaningful Lives. Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami...
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Transcript of Leading Meaningful Lives. Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami...
LeadingMeaningful
Lives
Based on the teachings of
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
PrabhupadaFounder Acharya –
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Fundamental Question
Who am I ?
Lord Krishna explains
dehino ’smin yathä dehe
kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä
tathä dehäntara-präptir
dhéras tatra na muhyatiBhagavad - gétä 2.13
“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this
body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at
death.”
väsäàsi jérëäni yathä vihäyanaväni gåhëäti naro ’paräëi
tathä çaréräëi vihäya jérëäny
anyäni saàyäti naväni dehé
Bhagavad - gétä 2.22
“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones,
the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.”
na jäyate mriyate vä kadäcinnäyaà bhütvä bhavitä vä na
bhüyaùajo nityaù çäçvato ’yaà
puräëona hanyate hanyamäne
çarére
Bhagavad - gétä 2.20
“For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He is unborn,
eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”
4 things which we all are busy with
Eating
Animals also eat butnot is such a gorgeous way
Sleeping
Animals also sleep but may not in a cozy bed in an aircontioned room
Mating
Animals may also may do so, but not in a gorgeous fashion as man
Defending
Animals do in a crude way. We do using the missiles and nuclear
arsenals.
Scriptures point out
that...
... if we spend all our time in
• eating,• sleeping,• mating and• defending...
...then we are no better than
animals.
dharmeëa héna paçubhiù samäna
Without real religious principles, we are no better
than animals.
dvi-päda-paçu
Animals with two legs.
Western countries have reached summit of
material advancement
Luxurious Houses
Skyscraper Buildings
Jet Planes
Latestmethods of
communication
In spite of all this advancement, men are
dissatisfied full of anxiety stressed depressed
& above all unhappy
WHY ?
Story of Golden Cage
Bible points out
“What profieth a man if he wins the whole world
but loses the soul.”
Human life is meant for
“Now you have achieved a human body, you
should enquire about the Absolute Truth.”
athätho brahma-jijïäsä
In human life we are endowedwith intelligence to inquire
Who am I ? Who is God ? What happens after death ? Why am I suffering ? What is the real aim of my life ?
labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
“We have attained human form, which is very rare, after
many many lifetimes.”
mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
“Although human life is temporary, it affords one
opportunity to attain highest perfection.”
türëaà yateta na pated anu-måtyu yävan
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
“A sober man should quickly endeavor for ultimate goal before he falls into clutches
of death.”
niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29
“Sense gratification (eating, sleeping, mating, defending)
is available even in most abominable species of life.”
Am I too young for spiritual practices ?
Story of lady approaching Aristotle for her child’s education
Instructions of Prahlada Maharaj from Srimad Bhagavatam
kaumära äcaret präjïo
“One who is intelligent should use human body from tender age of childhood to practice activities
of devotional service.”
durlabhaà mänuñaà janma
“The human birth is most rarely achieved.”
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
“Although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because
one can practice devotional service and progress towards
ultimate goal.”
So what should we do ?
Vedic Scriptures favorable breeze
Spiritual Master expert captain to steer the
boat
Human Body boat
Practical Tips
Chant the Holy Names of the Lord everyday, especially Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Practical Tips
Read and practically apply instructions of Bhagavad-gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Practical Tips
Aspire to spend time with saintly persons and make best use of all such oppurtunities.
“Its really a process of
having realization of
God.”
George Harrison
“Everything started happening
for me when I began chanting Hare Krishna.”
Jean Claude Halliche
Youngest Directorof 3M Inc. - France
(29 year old)
“Chanting Hare Krishna has
made a tremendous
impact in my life.”
Albert Brush Ford
Owner - Ford Motors
“I've been chanting Hare
Krishna for many years, and I've never found
anything more pleasurable. Just try to chant 5-10
minutes a day for a week and you'll
feel the difference.”
N.D. Desai
Leading Indian Industrialist
(Apar Limited, GE Apar Lighting, CEMA Tubes,
Apar Infotech)
“Chanting Hare Krishna has helped me face all the ups and downs in my life with a great confidence and peace of mind.”
Hrishikesh Mafatlal
CEO - Mafatlal Fabrics
“Chanting helped me give up bad
habits. It changed my vision of
things.”
Anne SchaufussDutch Model
“By starting to chant Hare Krishna,
I feel tremendous happiness.”
Vicki Overtonleading European Model
Marco Ferrini
Italy’s top furniture designer
“Chanting makes me feel close to God.”
“Mahä-mantra
significantly reduces stress,
depression, & the mode of ignorance
and considerably
increases mode of
goodness.”
David Wolf
Master of Social Service Program at Florida State
University
Researcher for studying the
effects of chanting Hare Krishna Mahä-mantra.
“If I start my day on a spiritual
note by chanting Hare Krishna, I
can make it through the day
in a pleasant mood.”
Stephen Farmer
Health food store owner
“Chanting has opened my eyes to things I never noticed. Its like
beautiful music – a very peaceful
feeling, very satisfying.”
Mrs. Grace Acquistapace
Housewife
“When I am stressed out, I chant. It’s one thing which charges my batteries. It
clears my mind and brings me back in focus.”
Paul Bleier
Printing Executive
“When I’m nervous I find chanting very
claming. I don’t get shaken up at
little things.”
Mrs. Sally Raleigh
Merchandiser
“My outlook towards life is
lot more brighter,
after starting to associate with Hare Krishna
devotees and chanting the
mahä-mantra.”
Bruce Klienberg
Army Officer
“Chanting makes me more
perceptive, more in harmony with everything and
everyone around me.”
Jane Lahner
Jewelry Designer
Hare Krishna