"Krishna is everything. Simply one must have sufficient knowledge of how to see Krishna through everything. That is an advanced devotee. Whatever he sees, Krishna, because actually, Krishna is everything."
-Srila Prabhupada, lecture on Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.8.21
(October 1' 1974)
We live, love, and leave this world. And it's not without a relentless struggle.
We encounter surprises and tragedies in our earthly sojourn. We meet strangers who may bring us joy while our loved ones may bring untold pain into our lives. We see birth and death; we read about conspiracies and wars, tragedies, sports victories, and politicians' promises. And the list goes on. Moreover, we also practice Krishna consciousness!
How do we keep our sanity intact and make sense of it, even as life consistently challenges us?
Lessons from the Road contains 18 articles that give us a scriptural perspective on issues that we see, read about, or experience in our daily lives.
Two broad sections dividing the articles are 'People and Places' and 'Principles and Process.'
In the first section, you will find Krishna conscious lessons that I learnt in my travels and meeting various people, connected to my external world.
Those of us who practicea spiritual process struggle with principles in our inner world. And this struggle teaches us valuable lessons too. Therefore the second section focuses on what we learn as we slip and struggle to keep our Krishna consciousness firm and pure. Of course, you can choose to read each of the eighteen articles independently.
Srila Prabhupada taught us to see life's events from the eyes of the scriptures. He trained us to see God, Krishna, in the course of our daily activities.
When young boys and girls helped Srila Prabhupada spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness in the West, he gratefully said, "Krishna has kindly sent me these boys and girls." When he survived a heart attack, he said, "Krishna saved me." When Srila Prabhupada assured anyone he'd visit them or if he committed to do something, he'd add, 'Krishna willing to imply that God ultimately sanctions the fulfilment of our plans.
Once while riding through the beautiful countryside of Mauritius, Srila Prabhupada's car had a head-on collision with a Volkswagen. The driver and devotees were injured, and Srila Prabhupada also faced bruises on his face and feet. However, he remained calm and said nothing, even as devotees hurriedly sought help. Later, in the temple, Srila Prabhupada quoted the Shrimad Bhagavatam, "asann api klesada asa dehah" - this body would bring untold miseries. He asked devotees to perform sankirtana and said Krishna had saved them.
Srila Prabhupada studied and spoke Shrimad Bhagavatam daily. The scriptures help us see events from a spiritual realm - a dimension beyond our tiny existence. When seen from a higher perspective, we not only reconcile the vagaries of this world, but we also find peace and shelter.
Regular reading of Srila Prabhupada's books or hearing his lectures helps us get a spiritual vision on the issues plaguing our lives. This reading is not a mechanical exercise in a problem-solving plane. Instead, it's a meditative and prayerful contemplation of scriptures that cleanses our consciousness and helps us find succor during troubled times.
"In my books, the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process, your spiritual life will develop. Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something that is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust. So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we can understand everything."
- Letter to Bahurupa (November 22, 1974)
Following this mood and instruction of Srila Prabhupada, this book is a small attempt to share my understanding of Krishna consciousness that Srila Prabhupada has so compassionately shared with the world.
I am aware of my shortcomings, and I beg the readers to pardon my impudence. Nonetheless, I also desire to serve and share Krishna consciousness with others.
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