Escaping from the Prison of Illusion

It's not easy to become Krishna conscious in an atmosphere that is completely surcharged with bodily consciousness. The material energy has kept us as a prisoner for millions of lifetimes and will not easily release us from her grip. We are firmly rooted in the conception that I am a man or a woman or that I am a member of this nation or that nation. These are false conceptions based on mistaken misidentification of the self with matter. Everywhere we turn this illusion is reinforced, in every billboard, every magazine, every web page, etc. Therefore to escape from this prison of illusion is not an easy task. It requires an all-out effort. We must make our attempt to become Krishna conscious the primary focus of our existence. We must intensely desire and endeavor to become spiritually illuminated beings, if we are to be successful in winning the war against illusion.

The good news is that Krishna is within our hearts. He has been watching and waiting through our millions of lifetimes in this material existence for us to turn to Him. As soon as we do so He will immediately provide all help and encouragement. He wants us to be successful, and everything is acting and moving under His direction. This gives us a 100% chance of being successful in our attempt to attain spiritual perfection.

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: Three Questions from China...

(1) How is the relationship between a disciple and his guru? For example, did you always keep in touch with your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada? Did you stay together all the time, or just meet each other once a year? How often did you visit him?

(2) As a neophyte is not strong enough to control his mind and senses, there is a chance to fall down accidentally. There are many objects of the senses in the world, even if a devotee thinks of one of them a little, he will be forced by his heart to commit sin. How to avoid this accidental falling down?

(3) In China, some schools or enterprises often distribute food to students or employees on festivals. And these food often contains meet or eggs. What will you do if it's you who is facing this? If you refuse that meat food gift, people will hate you for loss of face. If you failed to refuse, and accept it. How will you deal with the food? Throw it about, or feed dogs on it? Or put it to other use? (that food is very costly)

Your devotee in China,

Zhang Lei

Answer: Three Answers According to Vedic Wisdom..

The guru/disciple relationship is based on instructions. The guru gives instructions and the disciple follows these instructions. This is how the disciple always stays in touch with his spiritual master. He always follows his instructions without deviation in all times, places, and circumstances.

I had the physical association of my spiritual master on only a few occasions and I received several personal letters from him. But the substance of my relationship with him is my complete dedication to following his instructions. In this way I am always getting his association even though he departed from this material world in 1977.

Fall down can come at any time. Therefore we must always meditate upon and worship the instructions we have received from our spiritual master to chant at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mantra and strictly abide by the regulative principles of freedom.

You may tell the person who wants to give you the meat gift that you very much appreciate his wanting to give you a gift, but that as you are not in need of it he may give the meat to someone else.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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