4.     Vikasita – Developed consciousness and 5. Purna vikasita – Fully Evolved consciousness These two states represent the pinnacle of advanced consciousness, where an individual's sense of identity merges with the universe, and they recognize themselves as servants of God. In this state, they perceive their oneness with divinity and find deep contentment in being instruments of God, spreading…

However, if humans refuse to seek a life beyond mere sense gratification and struggle, we risk devolving into nothing more than well-dressed, polished, and sophisticated two-legged animals. We regress to lower stages of consciousness, neglecting our unique capacity to explore and realize our spiritual potential. The Different Levels of Consciousness According to the Vedic literatures,…

However, when happiness becomes synonymous with the pursuit of sensory pleasures alone, it follows the law of diminishing returns. With each subsequent increase in indulgence, the pleasure derived from it diminishes, eventually leading to pain and dissatisfaction. For instance, if you are served a single gulab jamun (a syrupy Indian sweet), you may relish it.…

A folktale from Bangladesh drives home the point emphatically: Once upon a time, there lived a wealthy man who employed a poor maid servant. Her daily tasks included cleaning the house and washing her master's dishes. As she went about her duties, she couldn't help but gaze at the luxurious, cushioned bed in awe. Throughout…

As we progress through life, we encounter various challenges and responsibilities that require our attention and effort. From childhood onwards, we strive to address these issues, such as pursuing education, finding employment, managing loans, and securing a place to live. Life is filled with numerous gaps that need to be filled, leading us to exist…

Is there a choice? Our lives would become a constant rollercoaster if we opt to reside in either of the other two houses—the House of Pleasure or the House of Struggle. It's essential to give ourselves a break! Let's examine the three options available to us: House of Pleasure - The allure and pitfalls of…

Spiritual Progress and the Need for Grace We aspiring devotees on the path of Krishna consciousness (Bhakti Yoga) must reach the stage where the realization dawns that we can’t achieve success on our own. To go back to God’s kingdom, we need to access His grace, a power beyond our own. The advanced spiritual levels…

In his pain and suffering, Gajendra realized he needed to take his existence to the next level – to that of surrender. He called out to God helplessly and promised he’d offer his entire existence only to serve and please the Lord. He realized that no one could help him in this moment of crisis…

The difference between the first and third stage is that in the first stage, when he lets go it was his mind that dragged the chariot of his life, but now when he releases control, it’s God who has taken charge. The difference in these two approaches is the inner aspiration: his desire has changed…

The first sign of surrender is to accept that which is unchangeable and then focus on your purpose. Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of the world-wide society of Krishna consciousness, also known as ISKCON, exemplified this on many occasions. Once, while flying from Dallas to New Orleans, Srila Prabhupada’s plane encountered rough weather. The plane…

Let go the Struggle The defining quality of a Home State is the ability to let go of the struggle. Once, a king held a painting competition, and two portraits made it to the final round. The first painting depicted a serene countryside with a beautiful sunrise, where a bird chirped cheerfully on a branch…

On the day of the performance, we all attended our regular spiritual programs and Japa meditation session. About forty-five minutes into the session, while everyone was quietly chanting and meditating, a loud voice suddenly boomed through the temple hall, interrupting our peace: "Who is Yamuna? The king has sent a palanquin for you!" We were…