Thought of the week: The Scriptures and their relevance

[Guest guest]

Although many of us are blessed with good fortune and have much to be grateful

for, at any moment suffering, fear and grief can invade our lives. In

helplessness and dependence, recognizing that our existence is as fragile as a

drop of water on a lotus leaf, we may ask, "Why am I suffering?Why is there

evil in the world?" and "Will I exist beyond this life?"

 

Such questions make us natural students of the scriptures that form the

philosophical tradition of the East: Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and

Caitanya Charitamrita. These, along with many auxiliary works, are the books

that the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) has been publishing since it was

founded in 1972.

 

Sincere Inquiry

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We cannot solve our problems using the same paradigm in which they were

created. Neither can we fully answer our questions with mundane reasoning.

Rather, solutions to our fundamental problems and answers to our most

introspective questions lie in a transcendent culture, a culture that nurtures

transcendent thoughts, feelings and practices.

 

This culture is not an artificial imposition, but is the natural state of

individuals in harmony with God and the environment. The BBT publications are,

in the words of their author, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, "a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire

human society."

 

Read with a clear mind, a mind open to the unexpected, a mind willing to

accept-even theoretically-the existence of a Supreme Person, these books

inspire and beckon us toward a wise and beautiful tradition. Like the pristine

vista of the Himalayas, their words touch us in ways beyond our imaginings,

calming the troubled mind and setting vibrant thoughts in motion.

 

The torchlight of knowledge

***************************

For the sincere seeker, these words offer deep philosophical insights into the

science of self-realization, sweet tastes of loving exchanges and a clue as to

how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common

cause. Page-by-page, we grow in spiritual confidence and enthusiasm. We examine

and revamp basic aspects of our character and habits-like cleanliness and

austerity, charity and honesty-and we unite with an international family of

aspiring transcendentalists.

 

Ponder any one of these books and relish the divine within and without. Such

reading, which is good for the body, the mind and the soul, is also fun. It is

an opportunity to steal away from our daily concerns, an opportunity to hear

the song of God, to feel the warmth of His compassion, to endure our earthly

fate with unearthly fortitude, to view current and historical events with

resplendent clarity. Our awareness shifts when our innate need for spiritual

insight is coupled with the messages of self-realized teachers found in these

bona fide scriptures of the East. The paradigm of this tradition, which

culminates in untainted devotion for the Supreme Lord, is not mundane.

 

True spirituality is a rare commodity. That's reason enough to open these

uncommon books. Whether we have time to read one paragraph or many chapters, we

will be renewed and enriched.

 

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----- Festivals over the next week ------

Jan 08 2002, Tuesday Disappearance Sri Devananda Pandita

Jan 09 2002, Wednesday Ekadasi Saphala (Break fast 07:27-10:39) (Fast)

Jan 10 2002, Thursday Disappearance Sri Mahesa Pandita

Disappearance Sri Uddharana Datta Thakura

Jan 14 2002, Monday Appearance Sri Locana Dasa Thakura

 

*** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST ***

For festival information for your city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and

click on 'Calendar'

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