Gita LIte Session 6: Ch 16-18

Reflection on "We need eyes to see what our eyes need to see" by Tiffany Cooper

I chose this article to write about because it is such a good reminder to stay aware of my attachments in the material world and not let them divert me from my spiritual path. It also helped me to remember the pricelessness of the knowledge that Srila Prabhupada sacrificed so much to bring to us. He has given us knowledge that no other path has given in such a deep and descriptive way. Often I think of how grateful I am to Srila Prabhupada for establishing a movement to educate us on what is truly our birthright…to know that we are not the body and that we are servants of Krsna. It is so liberating to know our place in the Universe and how to get back to that place after this long journey of “distressing consequences of indulgence”. Srila Prabhupada has given us eyes to see so we can put an end to our suffering in the material world. That is a gift that can never be repaid.

Chaitanya Charan prabhu mentioned the dynamic of us “trying to pursue higher happiness and trying to resist lower temptations”. As devotees we have all been blessed to be brought to a system that will help us do just that. By practicing Bhakti yoga we will develop a higher taste and seek spiritual growth rather than material indulgence. I also appreciate how Chaitanya Charan mentions that we need to deal with “our conception that worldly pleasures are enjoyable” because it gives us a practical way to release our attachments. By opening our eyes to the fleeting nature of the material world while teaching us about the eternal nature of the soul, Krsna consciousness directs us toward living a truly purposeful life. Srila Prabhupada has presented us with the gifts of truth and a society of devotees to help strengthen our realization of that truth. All we have to do is stay on the path that has been so expertly laid out for us and we will attract the mercy of Krsna.