Essential teachings
Where do your teachings come from?
The roots of the Hare Krishna philosophy trace back 5,000 years when one of the oldest and most profound books of wisdom, the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ was spoken. It speaks about our essence being spiritual, and the body as being a temporary covering based on our desires and ‘karma’. As our desires change in this life and beyond, our body also changes to accommodate those desires, and our actions accumulate karma. In this way, we navigate through this world in various bodies over many lifetimes until we become aware of our true spiritual identity, and begin our journey to the spiritual world.
Sounds intriguing? Below are a set of videos designed as a course that explain the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness ‘In Essence.’
Introduction: Evolve your vision
We perceive some material things, like the wind and water, with our senses. More subtle but still material are the mind and intelligence, which we perceive through self-insight. The spiritual dimension, however, although as factual as the material one, is beyond our perception. Hence, we need to learn to see things that are beyond our perception through evolved spiritual vision.
1. The inside story
We are spiritual beings different from the body. The need of the spirit soul is that it wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and fulfil its desire for complete freedom. It wants to get out of the covered walls of the greater universe. It wants to see the free light and the spirit. That complete freedom is achieved when the spirit soul develops a loving relationship with the complete spirit, Krishna.
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2. Designing your destiny
Are we on an ill fated route to destination destiny? Or are we free to carve our own path in life towards the destination we desire? Well, turns out it’s a bit of both. As we navigate our way in this world, our interactions create consequences known as karma which in turn force us to move in a certain direction. But changing how we do things and the consciousness we do it in, is a definite way to change our destiny.
3. The lord of attraction
We are all attracted to something, but have you ever asked the question why? What is the cause of our attraction to things and people and objects that give us pleasure? The yoga philosophy says that everything we’re attracted to has an underlying energy that comes from a common divine source, and such attraction indirectly implies our attraction to that divine entity.
4. The love vacuum
Love makes the world go round… so much so that we keep going round and round in circles, sometimes never to find the one we love, and other times realising that even though we’ve found what we need we’re still empty within. Sometimes we try and fill this vacuum with countless things, and other times we try to distract ourselves with pursuits in the hope that this vacuum with go away. Maybe it’s something deeper we’re looking for.
5. REALigion
Most of us prefer to identify ourselves if at all as spiritual seekers rather than religious fanatics. It is rather understandable that religion has acquired a bad reputation over the past few decades, and like most things it is also prone to being corrupted. Real religion is that of the soul, one that is based on love and fills the vacuum within the heart by establishing a relationship between spirit and spirit.
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6. Yoga 101
Stretchy, bendy and crystals. Whenever we hear the world yoga, we tend to think of frightening poses and start doubting our ability to disentangle ourselves from a variety of complex poses. Yoga however, has not much to do with physical gymnastics, but refers to a relationship. It comes from the word ‘yoke’ which means to connect but on a spiritual level. In fact, all postures and mind control are meant to help achieve this final goal.
7. Mind release
The mind can be one’s best friend or worst enemy. It all depends on who’s in charge. More often than not, we are entrapped in a web of thoughts, emotions and forced habits that deprive us of our ability to achieve purposeful goals. In fact, an overworked mind can even rob us of the much deserved peace and happiness. The proper practice of yoga and specifically bhakti yoga are ways to release us from the mind’s clutches.
8. Bhakti life
Bhakti means the yoga of love, and the ancient wisdom texts tell us that it’s the secret to being happy. A selfless love imbued with love for the divine that permeates our consciousness can not just benefit oneself, but the entire world. Society can be in harmony with itself and people can be in harmony with the environment and other beings in nature. In fact, the entire ecosystem can rest in harmony with the divine.