Tag Archives: spiritual

Prabhupada on True Civilization

“People do not know what real progress is. The Vedic civilization is not interested in the false progress of economic development. For instance, sometimes people boast, ‘We have gone from the hut to the skyscraper.’ They think this is progress. But in the Vedic system of civilization, one thinks about how much he is advanced in self-realization. He may live in a hut and become very advanced in self-realization. But if he wastes his time turning his hut into a skyscraper, then his whole life is wasted. Modern so-called civilization is simply a dog’s race. The dog is running on four legs, and modern people are running on four wheels. The learned, astute person will use this life to gain what he has missed in countless prior lives – namely, realization of self and realization of God.”

 

From the book Civilization and Transcendence, by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Understanding the True Self

śravaṇᾱyᾱpi bahubhir yo na labhyaḥ
śṛṇvanto’pi bahavo yaṁ na
vidyuḥ
ᾱścaryo vaktᾱ kuśalo’sya labdhᾱ
ᾱścaryo jñᾱtᾱ kuśalᾱnuśiṣṭaḥ

“To many the gift is not given to hear of the nature of the true self. Many, though they hear of the true self, do not understand it. Wonderful is he who speaks of it; intelligent is he who learns of it. Blessed is he who, taught by a good teacher, is actually able to understand it.”

Katha Upanishad, 1.2.7


The Vedic Art of Leadership

Whether we refer to the unprecedented problems we are experiencing in the economy, on the political scene, or in the rapid degeneration of cultural, social and spiritual standards, we know that we are living in an era of tremendous global crisis. As Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya explains in this timely and important video, the root cause of all these peripheral crises can be directly attributed to a deep crisis in leadership. We are lacking able leaders. We are, today, lacking credible political, spiritual and cultural leaders who are equipped to lead us out of the darkness and into the light. In this bold presentation, Sri Acharyaji explains to us the current crisis that we are facing, how our leadership has fallen far short in their sacred duty toward their people, and what must be done to create a future leadership that will ensure the rebirth of spiritual civilization and a more just world. If you are currently occupying a leadership position, if you aspire to someday become a leader, or if you understand the importance of leadership during this time of global crisis, you must see this greatly enlightening video today.


Revolution of Love

Arise Arjuna

Bhakti, or single minded devotional meditation upon Bhagavan (God), has always been, by its very inherent nature, the most powerful and dynamic social force on earth. Bhakti is an unparalleled motivating force that has induced revolutionary and meaningful change throughout world history. It will also serve as the driving spiritual force that will revive and strengthen Dharma well into the 21st Century. The only meaningful revolution is a revolution based on love.”  – Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya