Above the Clouds of Illusion

Having slept a scant 3 hours the night before our first flight from Austin to Minneapolis, I began the flight with a nap. I awoke to find that we were cruising at 35,000 feet looking down on a spectacular panorama of clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions. It was such a solid structured plane of clouds that it appeared as if we were flying over a land of ice such as Antarctica. It immediately struck me that Krishna consciousness is like this. By the mercy of guru and Krishna the devotee is situated far, far above the clouds of illusion.

What are the clouds of illusion? They are described by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita in three categories: goodness, passion, and ignorance.

tribhir guna-mayair bhavair
ebhih sarvam idam jagat
mohitam nabhijanati
mam ebhyah param avyayam

"Deluded by the three modes [goodness, passion and ignorance], the whole world does not know Me, who am above the modes and inexhaustible." Bhagavad-gita 7.13

By carefully following the pathway of ultimate self-realization, Krishna consciousness, the devotee gradually comes into direct contact with Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thus enters into eternal enlightened existence. The practical system for attaining this that one should strictly follow the regulative principles of Krishna consciousness and chant at least sixteen rounds daily of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra on japa beads without fall. This will solidly situate the sincere practitioner above the clouds of illusion. Thus he will be become perfect in spiritual understanding will achieve the highest perfection of human life in unlimited happiness.

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: How Do We Know that We Can Be Delivered?...

I am trying to understand the process of becoming Krishna consciousness. How do we know that we will be taken out of the cycle of life and death? Just because someone tells us, does that really mean it will happen? I am trying to do the best I can, but sometimes its hard when surrounded by difficult obstacles and an inquiring mind. In this life want to accomplish so much: traveling, learning all that I can learn, and and achieve spiritual enlightenment. please help me understand.

Always learning but slightly confused,

Your student

Answer: Nothing is More Solid than Krishna's Promise

You can know for sure that you will be taken out of the cycle of birth and death if you fully surrender yourself to Lord Sri Krishna, because Krishna promises this in the Bhagavad-gita:

ye tu sarvani karmani
mayi sannyasya mat-parah
ananyenaiva yogena
mam dhyayanta upasate
tesam aham samuddharta
mrtyu-samsara-sagarat
bhavami na cirat partha
mayy avesita-cetasam

"But those who worship Me, giving up all their activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, having fixed their minds upon Me, O son of Prtha -- for them I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death."
Bhagavad-gita 12.6-7

If you want to achieve spiritual perfection, you cannot take it as just another one of the things you are interested in. Rather, you must pursue it as the sole purpose of your existence.

An inquiring mind is not an obstacle. It is a great asset. Inquire submissively and serve the orders of the bona fide spiritual master. The Truth shall be revealed unto you.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari