Frustration and Material Pleasure
Our nature is spiritual--different from the material body that we are
inhabiting. We can never become happy by attempting to satisfy the
body. The soul must be satisfied.
Srila Prabhupada gave an example of the "Bird in the Cage" to
illustrate this point. If the owner of the bird only pays attention to
the cage, polishing it carefully, and neglects the inhabitant of the
cage (the bird), the bird will die. In the same way, if we simply pay
attention to the body, neglecting its inhabitant (the soul),
spiritually we will be as good as dead. Of course, the soul never
dies; but he will certainly be very miserable.
Our practical experience is that even when we obtain some object that
we think will satisfy our senses, we soon become frustrated because
the happiness is not forthcoming. The material world is arranged in
such a way that despite all attempts at enjoyment, the conditioned
soul is continuously frustrated. Fulfilling the desires of the senses
does not bring peace, because even if the senses are temporarily
satisfied, they demand newer and newer experiences. They are
insatiable. Rather than becoming satisfied, the senses become inflamed
by the process of seeking enjoyment.' Thus, the living entity
alternates between boredom and craving. Because of this frustration we
become angry and often end up fighting with others.
Krishna conscious happiness is not like that. It is unlimited, and
goes on eternally.
1. Bhagavad-gita 3.39
http://www.bkgoswami.com/
http://www.krishna.com/
Our nature is spiritual--different from the material body that we are
inhabiting. We can never become happy by attempting to satisfy the
body. The soul must be satisfied.
Srila Prabhupada gave an example of the "Bird in the Cage" to
illustrate this point. If the owner of the bird only pays attention to
the cage, polishing it carefully, and neglects the inhabitant of the
cage (the bird), the bird will die. In the same way, if we simply pay
attention to the body, neglecting its inhabitant (the soul),
spiritually we will be as good as dead. Of course, the soul never
dies; but he will certainly be very miserable.
Our practical experience is that even when we obtain some object that
we think will satisfy our senses, we soon become frustrated because
the happiness is not forthcoming. The material world is arranged in
such a way that despite all attempts at enjoyment, the conditioned
soul is continuously frustrated. Fulfilling the desires of the senses
does not bring peace, because even if the senses are temporarily
satisfied, they demand newer and newer experiences. They are
insatiable. Rather than becoming satisfied, the senses become inflamed
by the process of seeking enjoyment.' Thus, the living entity
alternates between boredom and craving. Because of this frustration we
become angry and often end up fighting with others.
Krishna conscious happiness is not like that. It is unlimited, and
goes on eternally.
1. Bhagavad-gita 3.39
http://www.bkgoswami.com/
http://www.krishna.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment