Why Am I Suffering?

Why Am I Suffering?
Human life begins when we inquire "Why am I suffering?". In this regard Srila Prabhupada writes as follows:

The special reasoning power is to inquire, "Why am I suffering?" This is special reasoning. The animals are suffering, but they do not know how to remedy the suffering. But human beings are making scientific advancement and philosophical advancement, cultural advancement, religious advancement—progress in so many lines—because they want to be happy. "Where is the point of happiness?" This reasoning power is especially given to the human being. Therefore, in the Gītā, Kṛṣṇa says, "Out of so many men, one may know Me."

Generally, the people are just like animals. They simply do not know anything beyond the necessities of the body: how to eat, how to sleep, how to mate and how to defend. And the Bhagavad-gītā says, out of many thousands, someone may develop this reasoning power: "Why am I suffering?" He asks this question: "Why am I suffering?" We do not want to suffer, but suffering is forced upon us. We do not want too much cold, but too much cold and too much heat are forced upon us.

When there is some impetus to awaken this reasoning power, it is called brahma jijñāsā. This is found in the Vedānta-sūtra. The first verse says that now, this human form of life is meant for asking the question of how to solve the problem of suffering.
(from "Krishna Consciousness, the Topmost Yoga System")

Thus to inquire "Why I am suffering?" is very good. It puts us in the correct state of mind for hearing from Lord Sri Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad-gita as well as from a self-realized soul, who will then guide us how to become free from all suffering for by awakening our dormant Krishna consciousness.

Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom

Question: How to Become Free From Phobias?

Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
Please accept my respect and obeisances unto your lotus feet.
Gurudeva, please tell me how to overcome from phobias as I've many. And also please tell me that why one is feeling phobias? Is there any connection to our past life behind phobias?

Thanking you.
Trying to be your servant,
Anudeep

Answer: Take Shelter of Krishna

My Dear Anudeep,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Phobias are due to misidentification with our material bodies. When the eternal spiritual being foolishly considers himself to be a material body which is subject to birth, death, old age, and disease, it is natural that he will have so many phobias. So if you will chant the Hare Krishna mantra and remember Lord Krishna whenever phobias attack, you will be able to drive them away by the power of Krishna's holy names.

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.

Your ever well-wisher,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Sankarshan Das Adhikari is one of the spiritual masters of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement. He has dedicated the last 50 years of his life for bringing a spiritual revolution to planet earth by spreading the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna all over the world. He is based in Austin, Texas and when there is no pandemic regularly travels all over the world teaching his audiences how to attain Krishna consciousness, the highest stage of spiritual awakening. He is available for media interviews and to speak to groups and organizations either in person or via the internet.

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