Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/What%20is%20the%20spiritual%20perspective%20on%20death%20due%20to%20dowry%20harassment%20apart%20from%20past%20karma.mp3
The post What is the spiritual perspective…
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20to%20see%20spiritually%20the%20grief%20I%20feel%20after%20my%20mother%20has%20passed%20away.mp3
The post How to see spiritually the grief I feel after my mot…
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2013.23%20One%20purusha%20is%20controlled%20by%20nature,%20the%20other%20is%20the%20controller%20of%20nature.mp3
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The post Gita 13.23 One purusha is controlled by nature, the other is the controller of nature appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Is%20violence%20against%20women%20in%20India%20caused%20by%20the%20objectification%20of%20women%20as%20sense%20objects%20in%20Indian%20sacred%20texts.mp3
The post …
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20does%20telepathy%20occur.mp3
The post How does telepathy occur? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Is%20the%20mind%20like%20a%20TV%20on%20which%20pictures%20are%20projected.mp3
The post Is the mind like a TV on which pictures are projected? appeared first on The…
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Can%20the%20mind%20travel%20out%20of%20the%20body.mp3
The post Can the mind travel out of the body? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Are%20material%20objects%20less%20pure%20than%20us.mp3
The post Are material objects less pure than us? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20is%20detachment%20empowering.mp3
The post How is detachment empowering? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/When%20the%20soul%20moves%20from%20one%20body%20to%20the%20mind,%20is%20there%20complete%20conservation%20of%20the%20mind.mp3
The post When the soul moves from one…
[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Kolkata, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Does%20beauty%20lie%20in%20the%20eye%20of%20the%20beholder%20-%20A%20Vedic%20Perspective.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Does%20beauty%20lie%20in%20the%20eye%20of%20the%20beholder%20-%20A%20Vedic%20Perspective.mp3
The post Does beauty lie in the eye of the beholder – A Vedic Perspective appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/What%20does%20fixing%20the%20mind%20on%20the%20lotus%20feet%20of%20Krishna%20mean.mp3
The post What does fixing the mind on the lotus feet of Krishna mean? appeare…
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2013.22%20Our%20desire%20to%20enjoy%20matter%20subjects%20us%20to%20material%20distress.mp3
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Today, religion is “something useful for weddings and funerals but otherwise dispensable.”
– Cultural critic Christopher Lasch
Nowadays, the question of ultimate meaning doesn’t occupy the minds of most people. And when religion is divorced from such questions, it degenerates into a set of rituals that are followed out of deference to culture or tradition. Consequently, it gets relegated to occasions when some significant rites of passage are to be marked. Apart from this cosmetic utility, religion ceases to have any essential purpose in the lives of people who are governed only by concerns about the here-and-now.
The problem with reducing religion to rituals is that the rituals themselves soon become dispensable when the cosmetic purpose can be served by something else, some other set of rituals that may be nonreligious or secular in character. Over time, the mainstream culture descends from religious materialism to godless materialism in a seamless slide that radically changes society’s whole shape and structure.
If this slide is to be reversed, merely lamenting about the loss of culture, morality, tradition will not be of much help. We need to stress the spiritual purpose of religion. People need to appreciate religious practices as intended for channeling their consciousness from this world with its many mundane concerns to a higher world wherein peace and pleasure abound.
Of course, in today’s intellectual ethos most people would dismiss the idea of such a higher world as a prescientific fantasy. And yet these very people savor the creation of such a world of control and pleasure through technology. Indeed, materialistic people marvel at the prospect of a technological paradise and see every new gadget as a precursor to the actualization of that high-tech paradise.
If people are to see through the intellectual smog that envelops their consciousness, they need penetrating philosophical education as an indispensable complement to religious practice. By such education, the logical tenability of a higher level of reality becomes intelligible. Only thereafter will people become more open to see religious practices as essential, indispensable pathways to a higher reality.
Gita wisdom gives us a coherent spiritual vision of reality, wherein we are understood to be eternal parts of an all-attractive whole. Our life at this quotidian level is meant to be a preparation for finding fulfillment at that higher level of reality through a connection of love that is enduring and ecstatic – and eternally so. When philosophy and religion are united in the rubric of Gita wisdom, we gain access to a profoundly transformational process that enables us to find an inner, deeper, richer level of stability and serenity. Attaining that reality, the Gita explains, is life’s ultimate objective.
Undoubtedly, it is good that at least religion is valued on occasions such as marriages and funerals. But that value needs to be explained and extended to all other phases of life, indeed to every moment of life, thus imbuing our whole existence with sublime, sacred purpose.
With a proper philosophical perspective, when religion is practiced as a means to spiritualize our consciousness, it can serve […]
The post When religion seems dispensable appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students, Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/We%20can’t%20replace%20the%20mind,%20but%20we%20can%20re-place%20it.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20We%20can’t%20replace%20the%20mind,%20but%20we%20can%20re-place%20it.mp3
The post We can’t replace the mind, but we can re-place it appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students, Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Analyzing%20various%20perceptions%20and%20conceptions%20of%20God.mp3
Podcast Summary
h…
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students, Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Reincarnation%20Research%20–%20Science,%20Pseudo-Science%20&%20Scientism.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Reincarnation%20Research%20–%20Science,%20Pseudo-Science%20&%20Scientism.mp3
The post Reincarnation Research – Science, Pseudo-Science & Scientism appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20can%20we%20overcome%20the%20mind’s%20rationalizations.mp3
The post How can we overcome the mind’s rationalizations? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/If%20the%20mind%20is%20not%20a%20person,%20who%20proposes%20desires%20to%20us.mp3
The post If the mind is not a person, who proposes desires to us? appeared first …
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Is%20the%20mind%20personal%20or%20impersonal.mp3
The post Is the mind personal or impersonal? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/If%20the%20software%20is%20compared%20to%20the%20mind,%20what%20is%20the%20intelligence%20compared%20to.mp3
The post If the software is compared to the mind, what …
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20is%20controlling%20the%20mind%20by%20focusing%20it%20on%20Krishna%20different%20from%20focusing%20it%20on%20some%20material%20object.mp3
The post How is cont…
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20can%20we%20help%20people%20who%20are%20following%20some%20apasampradaya%20-%20Hindi.mp3
The post How can we help people who are following some apasampradaya – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2013.21%20Material%20causality%20is%20not%20complete%20causality.mp3
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[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Reincarnation%20and%20the%20human%20quest%20for%20self-understanding.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Reincarnation%20and%20the%20human%20quest%20for%20self-understanding.mp3
Reincarnation and the human quest for self understanding
The post Reincarnation and the human quest for self-understanding appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/How%20to%20see%20God%20in%20this%20world.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscienti…
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/The%20possibility%20for%20self-improvement%20is%20reduced%20by%20materialism%20and%20expanded%20by%20spirituality%20Gita%2018.60.mp3
The post Th…
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Study%20the%20Gita%20for%20understanding%20it,%20not%20undermining%20it.mp3
The post Study the Gita for understanding it, not undermining it app…
[Congregation program at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Spiritualizing%20our%20relationships%20-%20Hindi.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Spiritualizing%20our%20relationships%20-%20Hindi.mp3
The post Spiritualizing our relationships – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/Is%20self-respect%20the%20same%20as%20ego%20-%20Hindi.mp3
The post Is self-respect the same as ego – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/How%20can%20we%20be%20Krishna%20conscious%20when%20we%20are%20not%20staying%20with%20devotees%20in%20a%20youth%20center%20-%20Hindi.mp3
The post How can we be Krishna conscious when we are not staying with devotees in a youth center – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/What%20is%20the%20difference%20between%20purity%20and%20goodness%20-%20Hindi.mp3
The post What is the difference between purity and goodness – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/06-17%20QA/While%20doing%20our%20service,%20is%20seeing%20everything%20in%20connection%20with%20Krishna%20necessary.mp3
The post While doing our service, is seeing everything…
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2013.20%20Matter%20is%20eternal,%20but%20material%20forms%20are%20temporary.mp3
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[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Scripture%20is%20a%20torch%20to%20see%20the%20world%20a%20mirror%20to%20see%20the%20self%20a…
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/World%20Religions%20-%20From%20Bhakti%20Universal%20to%20Bhakti%20Confidential.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20World%20Religions%20-%20From%20Bhakti%20Universal%20to%20Bhakti%20Confidential.mp3
The post World Religions – From Bhakti Universal to Bhakti Confidential appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Understanding%20who%20is%20the%20doer%20-%20Analyzing%20instincts,%20impulses%20and%20intelligence%20.mp3
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Understanding%20who%20is%20the%20doer%20-%20Analyzing%20instincts,%20impulses%20and%20intelligence%20.mp3
The post Understanding who is the doer – Analyzing instincts, impulses and intelligence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Once%20we%20slip%20down%20a%20slope,%20we%20can’t%20control%20how%20far%20we%20slip%20down%20Gita%2003.36.mp3
The post Once we slip down a slope, we can’t control how far we slip down Gita 03.36 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/The%20mind%20can%20make%20a%20soldier%20into%20a%20deserter%20or%20even%20a%20betrayer%20Gita%2005.22.mp3
The post The mind can make a soldier i…
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/06-17%20classes/Meta-thinking%20is%20vital%20for%20fruitful%20thinking%20Gita%2014.23.mp3
The post Meta-thinking is vital for fruitful thinking Gita 14.23 appea…