Transcendental Nectar of Sadhu-Sanga

by

Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja, Ph.D.

Bhaktivedanta Institute

Dear LOPS,

If we are to abide by your philosophy that all theories begin and end with "I," then we will have to necessarily conclude that not only is this is your own personal theory, but that everyone is entitled to their own personal theory, even if they directly disagree with you on this point. Thus your philosophy justifies not only complete (subjective) relativism, but more practically and dangerously, moral relativism.

The idea that "I" has the ability to create whatever truth it desires, and to justify it as true belief without having any absolute standard other than oneself by which such truth can be verified, is suicidal (self-destructive). Consider for instance that if someone who desires to cut the throat of anyone who disagrees with himself, and justifies such an attitude on the basis of your philosophy, then you have effectively created a situation that guarantees your own destruction. In other words, we will have to conclude that your own philosophy is suicidal. This lopsided type of thinking is arguably one of the leading causes of the problems being faced in the world today.

The central problem with all such self-made, self-centered philosophies is that they are imperfect, because the "I" is an infinitessimal part of the Absolute or Complete Whole Truth. As an infinitessimal part of the whole it is subject to error, being imperfect on its own. For example, if we consider a diamond: from one perspective it may appear yellow, from another angle of vision it appears green, or yet from another, blue, etc. The diamond is one, and many colors are reflected by it. Thus a partial perspective or angle of vision is not sufficient to grasp the whole as it is.

The great German philosopher Hegel stated that Reality is by itself and for itself.  Any partial vision of Ultimate Reality is only true for us, not for Reality in and for itself. Thus any man may walk down the street and in delusion think, "I am the king of England," but Reality does not correspond to that illusion. Therefore the scriptures, like Bhagavad-gita emphasize the important concept of Maya - illusion, as the predominating characteristic of the whole material plane of existence. This is because the platform of material existence is based upon the self-centered concept of "I." Because the "I" is an infinitessimal part of Spirit* it must be partial, imperfect and therefore able to produce only a defective estimation of truth, i.e. illusion.

[*Please note: "aham brahmasmi" establishes the qualitative nature of the infinitessimal "I" as being spiritual (brahman), but does not affirm a quantitative identity with it. In other words, we are qualitatively one with Brahman, but are not the Whole of it, just as a drop of water is certainly water, but it is not the ocean, which is also water.]

The Bhagavad-gita, and other scriptures (Sastra) also give the process by which such illusion can be defeated and overcome. Essentially it is explained that one must give up all self-created, self-concocted theories of Realty or Truth and simply surrender (sharanagati) to the actual creator of all Reality, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in such mood of surrender and service develop a radically humble God-centered life of devotion, dissolving all ego-centric endeavors for prominence and dominance in the sphere of material existence. (B-gita, 18.66)

Sharanagati (surrender) and dedication is the foundation for the whole plane of spiritual existence. It is the pivot point around which one can turn away from the exploitive mentality that produces and promotes the whole material conception of life. And this does not depend on self created imagination. The practical process for developing a God-centered life is NOT to create such an ideal in your own mind only. The science of God consciousness requires that a genuine spirit of service to God must be cultivated through submission to a genuine Guru, who comes in disciplic succession from the authentic line or parampara. (evam paramparam praptam, B.Gita 4.2)

This is the central epistemological foundation of the whole Vedantic/Bhagavat conception of Ultimate Reality. The proper process for acquiring knowledge and the proper attitude are equally essential if one wants to truly come in connection with Truth. (B-gita 4.34)

-----------------------------------------------

From: [lopsact]

Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:31:07 +0530

Local: Sun, Dec 27 2009 3:01 am

Subject: Re: Utilising Our Fortune

Dear All,

             Ya agree with your all explanation but kindly focus over the existence  of *I*. All theories are begin with *I*. If *I* do not exist than relatively no theory exist. *I am the divine flame*. *"aham bramhasmi"*

 so life is *nothing* ............If *I* exist than i can read or write e-mails......no one can deny the existence of anything so nothing also exist........ya i accept the existence of life but it is meaningful......i don't think so. *Life is nothing*...........person, ppl make it according to their self. So life depends on us how we want to make it, create it or design it.

 *It is vacant*........whatever we put into it this.......it will take the shape of this..........so it is depend on us what we want to put in this vacant, and this is not a realization of a unsuccessful person lamenting in tamas........it is all  interpretations......related to individual......kanha lives in *I*. So everything begins with *I *and ends with *I*. as the similar to kanha. everything begins with kanha and ends with kanha as kanha begins with *I* and ends with *I*. If I exist relatively other things exist.

Again life is all about what you want to* make it*,*design it* or *create it *. If some theories can explain the life like action or reaction than there is no need of living......... "Science is not about making truth, it is all about making our beliefs true." .... theories can not predict the life, it all are assumptions and interpretation of individual........who can think in own frame of referance..........

If life is some calculation of numbers like some digit before the zeros or after the zero.........than again it is also some kind of *cherry picking*theory and an individual interpretaions .......... as it is *I*, only *I* can make it* whole complete and perfect*, bcoz everything begins with *I* and ends with *I*.

-----------------------------------------------