Hello

I am so fortunate that I am incarnated as a human being this life and can join this nice group.

A have been wasting my time in so many life as animal and plants. But now I will do something more concrete. This time I will fulfill my desire. If I am not utilizing these great opportunity, it may take some times to the next time I get such a sophisticated body. As an animal, eating, sleeping, fear and sex was the only meaning of my life. It is not easy to get use to this human mind and body. And after so many life as an animal my old tendencies is very strong forces that has made it sometimes difficult to be a human. Now I have an intense longing for the Great, for something infinite. I have a feeling that “God” is close to me. He brought me on this earth by providing me with a human body. And on the top he infused a strong longing for Him. I feel that Life after life, births after deaths, He stay with me. Right from the early dawn of creation, He has been with me each and every moment.

 But This Human body and mind is a very confused stage. I feel almost schizophrenia between my old tendencies and my new ones. It makes me almost mad sometimes, so I can’t stay in this stage between two worlds for many lives. I have to go to the next level, which is divine, and free from all animal tendencies.

When I look around me a see that my companions that got human body is already become mad. The Whole Human society is today a complete big madhouse. It look like the characteristics which make us different from animal is not working properly. Why do they not utilize this great opportunity? It is better to be an animal than a human that is not using his human characteristics.

We have to create a proper human society and move together. My human feelings feel sad for all the downtrodden people. If you are human to you have also the same feeling. So we have to make a society which we can fully show our human characteristics. In a human society, everyone should be guaranteed food and shelter. 

I think reincarnatio n is let´s say logical

if we live in the earth onoly one time For what? What a loose of time!!

the problem is that usually we can´t remember our past lifes

thats a problem or nolt? if we remember our past lifes a lot of things we prefer not doing in this life Why? Because in another life we do the same thing that we want to do in this life and in the other life the thing was bad result we don´t want to have antother time that bad result so better don´t do that thing

this way as we can´t remember the other lifes when we want to do something in this life in other lifes was bad if we do tha thing but as we can´t remeber it we do the same thing and in other life went wrong but who knows? perhaps in this life that thing have a good result

Thank you Sarvo for inviting all your friends.

I would like to invite everyone to Bhagavad gita forum entitled Krishna explains reincarnation scientifically

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=11532&pst=682209

I have already posted alot on this there. Please join.

Thank you, for joining everyone!

I appreciated your post Devamitra, sometimes this lifetime does seem like a madhouse! Millions upon millions of people all with their own agendas. All we really need is a smile and a kind word.

A comment to Jose...you mentioned about not remembering past lives, I believe that if you are open to remembering...it will come to you in bits and pieces of memories, as well as dreams and deja vu, which is the feeling that you've been there and done that before.

Sometimes we don't remember because it may have been a traumatic event...in any case what's important is the here and now. The past can only serve as experience...trial and error.

Linda...how do they know? They ask questions...they go by intuition and signs. The Dalai Lama from Tibet was discovered when he was around two...he named the men who were his friends/peers and also recognized his prayer beads and asked that they be returned to him. Can you imagine a two year old child saying to religious leaders, "Those are my beads, and I'll have them, thank you."  Gotta love that!

Love & Peace

Hare Krsna

Hi everybody! how are you doing? I'm still on the path to get through the quagmire of past life baggage. These days I am trying to send love to every part of me, because the emotional reactions appropriate to other times are interfering in this life! not appropriate to these times. So I've been meditating, workign with Christ to go inside and find the places and times where I was in those situations, forgive them and send love to them. Have compassion on myself.

Apparently, they say that we have the lives we have so that we can "meet our own soul." (Is it Edgar Cayce who said this?) For example, if we were nasty to others in the past, we might create the conditions to have us feel the same way we caused others to feel. Then we can deal with it because we udnerstand. Also, we can manifest patterns so that we can remember and deal wiht and heal from the patterns of the past, and understand them.

Now, for me, one area it is manifest is in ... like this: In one past life I was sexually responsible for all these men in a street community (gang?). I had intimate connections briefly with dozens, maybe hundreds of men, and got attached and then they were gone and I had my heart torn away from me every time, because what I really wanted was long term committment and intimacy. I never accepted that, where I was, I was only going to get short, brief intensity, so I kept thinking that "this is the one!" until reality set in and they left.

In this life, I get together with people who are either leaving very shortly or who can't truly know me, or live in another city (or country!). I have the same feeling again. Also, as a teacher, I get attached to my students and then they leave, because they learn enough, and then I feel so sad and such a sense of loss. But it's a teacher's lot, to have their students outgrow their classes! So, I guess this is showing me a wrong perception or assumption that I have about how I'm living.

Also, I discovered I'm very critical and judgmental, not that I would tell people, but in my thoughts I can write people off easily. Jesus' words are really coming to life for me now: "Judge not that ye be not judged." I find that in past and present lives, I judged others and now, I am finding the same qualities and failings in myself, and end up judging myself just as harshly.

For example, in a past life I was in a residential school for aboriginal kids on the northern prairies of Canada. I was critical of the teacher, for her teaching style, and for her relationship with the head master. The feeling when I think of her is contempt and disgust. Even as a kid as Rachel, I used to critique my teachers, thinking "I can do better than that! She's not very smart, is she?" Now that I am a teacher, I imagine that my students judge me that way. I have a practicum student in my class right now, and I 'm really having a hard time, emotionally, because I keep imagining that she judges me as harshly as I judged my own practicum teacher.

Now that I go back and think again, her use of ridicule to keep students in "their place" was wrong. Her being really obviously in lust with the head master was no appropriate too. But, if I put myself in her shoes, in an isolated outpost somewhere in the middle of the prairies, with nothing to do and no one to turn to, her romantic relationship is understandable. Given the attitudes of the society of the time, her discipline methods were to be expected.

The next teacher was a kind young woman, just trying to give some help to these "poor unfortunate Indian children." Somewhat parochial, but well -meaning. She wasn't nasty, but I still felt contempt for her when she came when I was a teenager. It wasn't till I, Rachel, went back and talked to the person I was, that I was able to see her without contempt and suspicion.

So, it is in this context, that I, Rachel, ended up being a teacher!!! So that I can "meet my own soul," forgive and understand and respect myself as a teacher. After all, Jesus was a teacher, right?

how about you? Are you "meeting your own soul" in this lifetime?

Have a good day. Let's get this discussion going again. Peace, light and love, Sincerely, Rachel.

My tracking quit.  Meeting my own soul? You mean facing my karma? Yep, all the time. Only...I meet lots of people who are wonderful and they make me feel like I am lacking in everything. That's my own self condemnation, I guess. Even as a young girl...I never felt worthy.

1 John 2:15   Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

Right now, my issue is my job and how sick it makes me feel. I literally cannot stomach my job any more. I hate it.  If I had to choose death or my job...I'd gladly leave this fubar world behind. I'd rather be flying with Angels. For now, I'm trudging along in the stink pit of life, earning a living...hating to go to work and happy to leave at night. Whatever I did in a past life...or even a few years ago is really biting back.

It's that Ferris wheel...up and down, up and down...in my dream, I did finally escape (Even tho I had to knock the guard out to steal his clothes to make my get away...some one helped me, I think it was an angel.) and the feeling of looking up into the expanse of the starlit sky was one of absolute freedom!

Love & Peace

One of the ways to become transendental to our work is to see that it is our service to God. By using that money that we earn in his service.

It's been lonely here without you. How have you been doing?

Are you referring to tithing, Mahabala?  I know it's partly my attitude about my job. I absolutely detest being forced to sell credit cards and tricking people into signing up for a gift card that ends up taking $15. a month out of their pocket. It's just so conniving and my soul tells me not to do it.

Jesus was scathing toward the priests who took money from poor people. He called them hypocrites who pretend to be Godly in appearance, but were thieves and liars...hiding the truth so that they could get rich off poor people. Those kind of people create a hell for themselves.

The system of tithing is not bad if one is not giving to a cheater. One doesn't have to give to a church to serve God for example. If you actually know the absolute truth about God and you spend money to buy a computer and internet service to give that truth to others that is the same as giving money to a bonafide temple or church that is actually spreading Gods words. The difference is that for some one who doesn't know how to spend the money that belongs to God in the proper way it is best to give that money to some one who know how to spend the money in Gods service. There are so many ways that you can spend that money for God that is bonafide. You just need a little training.

I would like to give scriptural reference to back my statement

TEXT 20

datavyam iti yad danam
diyate 'nupakarine
dese kale ca patre ca
tad danam sattvikam smrtam

SYNONYMS

datavyam--worth giving; iti--thus; yat--that which; danam--charity; diyate--given; anupakarine--to any person irrespective of doing good; dese--in place; kale--in time; ca--also; patre--suitable person; ca--and; tat--that; danam--charity; sattvikam--in the mode of goodness; smrtam--consider.

TRANSLATION

That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.

PURPORT

In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in spiritual activities is recommended. There is no recommendation for giving charity indiscriminately. Spiritual perfection is always a consideration. Therefore charity is recommended to be given at a place of pilgrimage and at lunar or solar eclipses or at the end of the month or to a qualified brahmana or a Vaisnava (devotee) or in temples. Such charities should be given without any consideration of return. Charity to the poor is sometimes given out of compassion, but if a poor man is not worth giving charity to, then there is no spiritual advancement. In other words, indiscriminate charity is not recommended in the Vedic literature.

TEXT 21

yat tu pratyupakarartham
phalam uddisya va punah
diyate ca pariklistam
tad danam rajasam smrtam

SYNONYMS

yat--that which; tu--but; prati-upakara-artham--for the sake of getting some return; phalam--result; uddisya--desiring; va--or; punah--again; diyate--is given in charity; ca--also; pariklistam--grudgingly; tat--that; danam--charity; rajasam--in the mode of passion; smrtam--is understood to be.

TRANSLATION

But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.

PURPORT

Charity is sometimes performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom and sometimes with great trouble and with repentance afterwards. "Why have I spent so much in this way?" Charity is also sometimes made under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of charity are said to be made in the mode of passion.
There are many charitable foundations which offer their gifts to institutions where sense gratification goes on. Such charities are not recommended in the Vedic scripture. Only charity in the mode of goodness is recommended.

TEXT 22

adesa-kale yad danam
apatrebhyas ca diyate
asat-krtam avajnatam
tat tamasam udahrtam

SYNONYMS

adesa--unpurified place; kale--unpurified time; yat--that which; danam--charity; upatrebhyah--to unworthy persons; ca--also; diyate--is given; asat-krtam--without respect; avajnatam--without proper attention; tat--that; tamasam--in the mode of darkness; udahrtam--is said to be.

TRANSLATION

And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.

PURPORT

TEXT 22

adesa-kale yad danam
apatrebhyas ca diyate
asat-krtam avajnatam
tat tamasam udahrtam

SYNONYMS

adesa--unpurified place; kale--unpurified time; yat--that which; danam--charity; upatrebhyah--to unworthy persons; ca--also; diyate--is given; asat-krtam--without respect; avajnatam--without proper attention; tat--that; tamasam--in the mode of darkness; udahrtam--is said to be.

TRANSLATION

And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.

PURPORT

Contributions for indulgence in intoxication and gambling are not encouraged here. That sort of contribution is in the mode of ignorance. Such charity is not beneficial; rather, sinful persons are encouraged. Similarly, if a person gives charity to a suitable person without respect and without attention, that sort of charity is also said to be in the mode of darkness.

TEXT 23

om tat sad iti nirdeso
brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah
brahmanas tena vedas ca
yajnas ca vihitah pura

SYNONYMS

om--indication of the Supreme; tat--that; sat--eternal; iti--that; nirdesah--indication; brahmanah--of the Supreme; tri-vidhah--three kinds; smrtah--consider; brahmanah--the brahmanas; tena--therefore; vedah--the Vedic literature; ca--also; yajnah--sacrifice; ca--also; vihitah--used; pura--formerly.

TRANSLATION

From the beginning of creation, the three syllables--om tat sat--have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.

PURPORT

It has been explained that penance, sacrifice, charity and foods are divided into three categories: the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. But whether first class, second class or third class, they are all conditioned, contaminated by the material modes of nature. When they are aimed at the Supreme--om tat sat, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the eternal--they become means for spiritual elevation. In the scriptural injunctions such an objective is indicated. These three words, om tat sat, particularly indicate the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the Vedic hymns, the word om is always found.
One who acts without following the regulations of the scriptures will not attain the Absolute Truth. He will get some temporary result, but not the ultimate end of life. The conclusion is that the performance of charity, sacrifice and penance must be done in the mode of goodness. Performed in the modes of passion or ignorance, they are certainly inferior in quality. The three words om tat sat are uttered in conjunction with the holy name of the Supreme Lord, e.g., om tad visnoh. Whenever a Vedic hymn or the holy name of the Supreme Lord is uttered, om is added. This is the indication of Vedic literature. These three words are taken from Vedic hymns. Om ity etad brahmano nedistham nama indicates the first goal. Then tat tvam asi indicates the second goal. And sad eva saumya indicates the third goal. Combined they become om tat sat. Formerly when Brahma, the first created living entity, performed sacrifices, he spoke these three names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The same principle holds by disciplic succession. So this hymn has great significance. Bhagavad-gita recommends, therefore, that any work done should be done for om tat sat, or for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When one performs penance, charity, and sacrifice with these three words, he is acting in Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is a scientific execution of transcendental activities which enables one to return home, back to Godhead. There is no loss of energy in acting in such a transcendental way.

TEXT 48

saha-jam karma kaunteya
sa-dosam api na tyajet
sarvarambha hi dosena
dhumenagnir ivavrtah

SYNONYMS

saha-jam--born simultaneously; karma--work; kaunteya--O son of Kunti; sa-dosam--with fault; api--although; na--never; tyajet--to be given up; sarva-arambhah--any venture; hi--certainly; dosena--with fault; dhumena--with smoke; agnih--fire; iva--as; avrtah--covered.

TRANSLATION

Every endeavor is covered by some sort of fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work which is born of his nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault.

PURPORT

In conditioned life, all work is contaminated by the material modes of nature. Even if one is a brahmana, he has to perform sacrifices in which animal killing is necessary. Similarly, a ksatriya, however pious he may be, has to fight enemies. He cannot avoid it. Similarly, a merchant, however pious he may be, must sometimes hide his profit to stay in business, or he may sometimes have to do business on the black market. These things are necessary; one cannot avoid them. Similarly, even though a man is a sudra serving a bad master, he has to carry out the order of the master, even though it should not be done. Despite these flaws, one should continue to carry out his prescribed duties, for they are born out of his own nature.
A very nice example is given herein. Although fire is pure, still there is smoke. Yet smoke does not make the fire impure. Even though there is smoke in the fire, fire is still considered to be the purest of all elements. If one prefers to give up the work of a ksatriya and take up the occupation of a brahmana, he is not assured that in the occupation of a brahmana there are no unpleasant duties. One may then conclude that in the material world no one can be completely free from the contamination of material nature. This example of fire and smoke is very appropriate in this connection. When in wintertime one takes a stone from the fire, sometimes smoke disturbs the eyes and other parts of the body, but still one must make use of the fire despite disturbing conditions. Similarly, one should not give up his natural occupation because there are some disturbing elements. Rather, one should be determined to serve the Supreme Lord by his occupational duty in Krsna consciousness. That is the perfectional point. When a particular type of occupation is performed for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, all the defects in that particular occupation are purified. When the results of work are purified, when connected with devotional service, one becomes perfect in seeing the self within, and that is self-realization.

I  sometimes don't agree with Prabhupada's purport, especially the part about giving to someone who may not be deserving. Of course I agree that giving money to an alcoholic or drug addict is unwise. But buying that person a meal or giving clothing would be an excellent way to help that person. It's the people who are confronted by the eyes of the impoverished soul who become frightened and may just give money to be done with him/her. When you look into those eyes you could be seeing your own past...or your own future, or even God in disguise. I would feel like a complete failure if I judged another soul for his iniquities! It isn't my place to judge...nor is it proper for anyone on Earth to judge one another. The scriptures can be taught or read...and the wholly spirit...(you know what I speak of, Mahabala...the two within the heart, the witness and the one who acts.) will convict the righteous who will amend their ways. The vile will continue to fulfill their own desires, and not the will of the Lord.

But I do agree that when you are connected to the source...you are able to see the self and the spirit of self...but devotional service leaves a question in my mind. Who tells another how to serve God?

Your are right by not judging others that is a very good quality but we need to see things as they are with knowledge. For example to give to someone some money who is going to use that money for sinful activity. If we give someone money for food and we can see that it is likely that he is going to buy wine with it how did you help him? Or if he purchased a hamburger implicating him and you in the killing of an animal how have you helped him or your self? If you offered him some food that was prepared in the mode of goodness and was offered to God first with love and devotion, that food that will liberate him from past sins and uplift him to God consciousness, what do you think would be better for him and you? Charity with knowledge of future effects of karmic reactions is far superior.

You asked: but devotional service leaves a question in my mind. Who tells another how to serve God?

answer: The bona fide spiritual master

TEXT 34

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah

SYNONYMS

tat--that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi--try to understand; pranipatena--by approaching a spiritual master; pariprasnena--by submissive inquiries; sevaya--by the rendering of service; upadeksyanti--initiate; te--unto you; jnanam--knowledge; jnaninah--the self-realized; tattva--truth; darsinah--the seers.

TRANSLATION

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.

PURPORT

The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple. No one can be spiritually realized by manufacturing his own process, as is the fashion of the foolish pretenders. The Bhagavatam says: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam--the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master, but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.

Arjuna said:

TEXT 7

karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah
prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam

SYNONYMS

karpanya--miserly; dosa--weakness; upahata--being inflicted by; sva-bhavah--characteristics; prcchami--I am asking; tvam--unto You; dharma--religion; sammudha--bewildered; cetah--in heart; yat--what; sreyah--all-good; syat--may be; niscitam--confidently; bruhi--tell; tat--that; me--unto me; sisyah--disciple; te--Your; aham--I am; sadhi--just instruct; mam--me; tvam--unto You; prapannam--surrendered.

TRANSLATION

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. http://www.asitis.com/2/7.html

Chapter 4. Transcendental Knowledge Chapter 4, Verse 1. The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku. Chapter 4, Verse 2. This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost. Chapter 4, Verse 3. That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend; therefore you can understand the transcendental mystery of this science. Chapter 4, Verse 4. Arjuna said: The sun-god Vivasvan is senior by birth to You. How am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science to him? Chapter 4, Verse 5. The Blessed Lord said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O subduer of the enemy! Chapter 4, Verse 6. Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all sentient beings, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form. Chapter 4, Verse 7. Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself.

The Bhagavatam says: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam--the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. (The witness who is within...the one who communicates God's will, through self-conviction. If you feel guilty...then you must delve into the reason for that guilt. Through understanding you can overcome the base instinct of nature.)

This is exactly what Jesus left to mankind when his physical body was pierced and laid in the cave. He was the witness to the wholly Spirit, besides the example that he set before his peers to be reverent of Father God, he left the gift of Spirit. Proof of life after what we know as death. How do you think that his disciples reacted when they saw his ethereal form? Of course, they would have been amazed, and seeing is believing. I know that this is the point that Sarvo Pama makes...the form is what makes God personal to us. I have no opposition with that thought. But! But, what makes the Gift that Yeshua gave to his descendants is one of visual proof that the divine spirit continues and ascends. The body is a mere garb that is left to become dust.

Although Krsna tells Arjuna to kill the demons...Jesus simply tells them to "Be gone!" The demons have no power over the divine and perfected Spirit...but, if that Spirit disobeys the commands of the Creative Force, it IS in a weak state and can be tempted by the conditions of flesh.

Many, many births both you and I have experienced. Transcending flesh, and not to fear the hereafter.

No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession.  That is a purport. My purport, is that no one can come to the Father, except through the teachings of Yeshua...His Words are of Godliness, love and forgiveness. And....His Words:

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten (Adam, reincarnated and now the obedient Yeshua...sacrificing the body to prove the spirit.) Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

(Karma, karma, karma)

Here is something quite amazing...The Buddha even spoke of a future Buddha.

         http://bibleprobe.com/buddhatoldofjesus.htm

But, Jesus also said, "I have disciples of whom you know not." How do we know that it is not the One Spirit speaking through many sources? Jesus was a spiritual master. He could have gone to North America and taught the people there, as is claimed by various tribes. The same Holy Spirit may have spoken through those who penned the Bhagavad Gita and other holy texts.

To me, I cannot say that another person will be condemned if they don't believe in Christ. I know Christ is with me and loves me and the Whole of God is in all things, loving and aware and active. But, others may experience God differently, in another way.

I would rather remember another of Jesus' sayings, when his disciples told him there were strangers casting out demons in Jesus' name and they told them to stop. He said, If they are not against us, they are for us. It is the same here I think. Different religions can work together.

Also, Jesus said, You will know a man by his fruit. That is, we cannot condemn someone just because they choose a different religion. We can see what kind of roots and branches and leaves he has by looking at what comes of his beliefs. Do peace and love and compassion come ? Then this is a path of God. Doesn't that seem right to you? How could it be otherwise?

Peace, Rachel

There seems to be an assumption that I don't believe in Jesus Christ but I would like to state for the records that I didn't believe in Christ till I read Bhagavad Gita as it is.

hello to all,
I've had past life recall since I was a child,and remembrances of people,places,and cultures that were part of my awakening.I look forward to communicating with others here,and learning more about our unique spiritual journeys.

Prabhupada convinsed me of Jesus Christ. Prabhupada writes:

A devotee of Krsna is friendly to everyone. Therefore it is said here that he has no enemy. How is this? A devotee situated in Krsna consciousness knows that only devotional service to Krsna can relieve a person from all the problems of life. He has personal experience of this, and therefore he wants to introduce this system, Krsna consciousness, into human society. There are many examples in history of devotees of the Lord risking their lives for the spreading of God consciousness. The favorite example is Lord Jesus Christ. He was crucified by the nondevotees, but he sacrificed his life for spreading God consciousness. Of course, it would be superficial to understand that he was killed. Similarly, in India also there are many examples, such as Thakura Haridasa. Why such risk? Because they wanted to spread Krsna consciousness, and it is difficult. A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is suffering, it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is relieving one's neighbor from all material problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in His service, risking everything for Him. Therefore it is certain that such persons must reach the supreme planet after leaving the body. Purport BG 11.55

PURPORT

When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse according to one's calculations. For example, sometimes we see that a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty, just as Haridāsa Ṭhākura was. He was a great devotee who came into this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching the Lord's glories. But Haridāsa was punished at the hands of the Kazi by being beaten in twenty-two marketplaces. Similarly, Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, and Prahlāda Mahārāja was put through so many tribulations. The Pāṇḍavas, who were direct friends of Kṛṣṇa, lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, and they had to undergo many severe tribulations. Seeing all these reverses affect devotees, one should not be disturbed; one should simply understand that in these matters there must be some plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Bhāgavatam's conclusion is that a devotee is never disturbed by such reverses. He accepts even reverse conditions as the grace of the Lord. One who continues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to the Vaikuṇṭha planets. Lord Brahmā assured the demigods that there was no use in talking about how the disturbing situation of darkness was taking place, since the actual fact was that it was ordered by the Supreme Lord. Brahmā knew this because he was a great devotee; it was possible for him to understand the plan of the Lord.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.16.37

http://vedabase.net/sb/3/16/37/en

Prabhupada writes:

TRANSLATION

The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.

PURPORT

A sādhu, as described above, is a devotee of the Lord. His concern, therefore, is to enlighten people in devotional service to the Lord. That is his mercy. He knows that without devotional service to the Lord, human life is spoiled. A devotee travels all over the country, from door to door, preaching, "Be Kṛṣṇa conscious. Be a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Don't spoil your life in simply fulfilling your animal propensities. Human life is meant for self-realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness." These are the preachings of a sādhu. He is not satisfied with his own liberation. He always thinks about others. He is the most compassionate personality towards all the fallen souls. One of his qualifications, therefore, is kāruṇika, great mercy to the fallen souls. While engaged in preaching work, he has to meet with so many opposing elements, and therefore the sādhu, or devotee of the Lord, has to be very tolerant. Someone may ill-treat him because the conditioned souls are not prepared to receive the transcendental knowledge of devotional service. They do not like it; that is their disease. The sādhu has the thankless task of impressing upon them the importance of devotional service. Sometimes devotees are personally attacked with violence. Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, Haridāsa Ṭhākura was caned in twenty-two marketplaces, and Lord Caitanya's principal assistant, Nityānanda, was violently attacked by Jagāi and Mādhāi. But still they were tolerant because their mission was to deliver the fallen souls. One of the qualifications of a sādhu is that he is very tolerant and is merciful to all fallen souls. He is merciful because he is the well-wisher of all living entities. He is not only a well-wisher of human society, but a well-wisher of animal society as well. It is said here, sarva-dehinām, which indicates all living entities who have accepted material bodies. Not only does the human being have a material body, but other living entities, such as cats and dogs, also have material bodies. The devotee of the Lord is merciful to everyone — the cats, dogs, trees, etc. He treats all living entities in such a way that they can ultimately get salvation from this material entanglement. Śivānanda Sena, one of the disciples of Lord Caitanya, gave liberation to a dog by treating the dog transcendentally. There are many instances where a dog got salvation by association with a sādhu, because a sādhu engages in the highest philanthropic activities for the benediction of all living entities. Yet although a sādhu is not inimical towards anyone, the world is so ungrateful that even a sādhu has many enemies.

What is the difference between an enemy and a friend? It is a difference in behavior. A sādhu behaves with all conditioned souls for their ultimate relief from material entanglement. Therefore, no one can be more friendly than a sādhu in relieving a conditioned soul. A

What is the difference between an enemy and a friend? It is a difference in behavior. A sâdhu behaves with all conditioned souls for their ultimate relief from material entanglement. Therefore, no one can be more friendly than a sâdhu in relieving a conditioned soul. A sâdhu is calm, and he quietly and peacefully follows the principles of scripture. A sâdhu means one who follows the principles of scripture and at the same time is a devotee of the Lord. One who actually follows the principles of scripture must be a devotee of God because all the úâstras instruct us to obey the orders of the Personality of Godhead. Sâdhu, therefore, means a follower of the scriptural injunctions and a devotee of the Lord. All these characteristics are prominent in a devotee. A devotee develops all the good qualities of the demigods, whereas a nondevotee, even though academically qualified, has no actual good qualifications or good characteristics according to the standard of transcendental realization.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.21

http://vedabase.net/sb/3/25/21/en

I have a penpal from Pakistan and he is Muslim. He said that they are to give 2% of their property that is not in use to the poor. It's called Zakat. Now I am not Muslim, so if there is a Muslim reading out there, please comment and clarify for us. I think they are to do this especially this month because it's Ramadan. Eid (last day of Ramadan) is I think Sept. 24th.

This certainly seems more manageable than 10% of what you have. I don't tithe, but I think I could without much hardship. Most employed, middle class people could, I think. Maybe more easily than in Jesus' day.

So, Mahabala, I have no interest in making you believe or not believe in Jesus in the way that I do, however, I didn't quite understand what you were saying you believe about him. Do you believe he was a Great Soul Maha Atman who came to bring God consciousness to the world? Do you believe he was the only Son of God? Do you believe he died to save people from their sins? (Can't say I do.) Just trying to understand where you're coming from.

Have a good day everyone. Rachel

This post was modified from its original form on 23 Sep, 15:11

Hi everyone. Thats interesting info re. Sadhus. Do they all read the scriptures then, and have training before they decide to follow their path? I saw some sadhus in India, when I was 10. Going around in their orange robes, looking very peaceful. Well some of them did. Some of them also do strange things for spiritual discipline: stand on one foot for years and years, eat very little or nothing at all, go around naked. And some of them look - if you pardon my frankness - a little crazy? But I have no doubt they are doing it for spiritual growth. Are they all formally trained and well aware of the scriptures, do you think?

Hi Veronika, welcome to the group! I'm a member, not a host, but "Welcome!" anyway!

What is your story? Wanna start a thread? My writing above there should have been in my own thread since it's about my own past life memories and their effects in this life. You can call it Veronika's Lives, or "The Days of My Lives" haha, that'd be a good title! I'll use it myself if you don't!

Looking forward to hearing back from all. Hi Mayleessa, how are you these days? You wouldn't know it but I am recovering from a bad sinus infection, a bit of bronchitis, and on again off again fever. (hope it's not really that - trangkassa - I had that in the Philippines, anyway it comes on and goes off...off at the moment thank goodness!)

Hi, everyone! Rachel, I WISH I could make you a host, but Robert started, and owns this group. He's the only one who can add the hosts. I tried to get him to make Sarvo a host, but I never heard anything from him. 

Veronika, please do start a thread and share some of your insights. I'm happy that you joined and have posted! 

Mahabala, my dear friend...I never meant to imply that you don't believe in Jesus! Never, never! The scriptures have a way of making us feel guilty...and I agree with Rachel that Jesus didn't want to make people think that they were condemned if they don't believe in him. That scripture...I think that it is just meant that believing Jesus's message of love and practicing forgiveness to our enemies is what will save us...not just believing that Jesus is the Son of God! Because he often said that we are ALL sons of God as well as mankind. The Spirit part comes from God and is the reason that the flesh exists! Anyone who reads the scriptures without knowing Jesus' true meaning always feels guilt or that they're being condemned...that's why if you BELIEVE His words, you will KNOW that you are NOT condemned! Because His message comes from the Great Spirit which IS LOVE! He was angry with the priests, lawyers and politicians who were making slaves of people. He wanted to open our eyes to the fact that we are SPIRITS,  fragments of GOD! We are wholly spirit wearing a flesh body, and given every right to walk our paths. That is why there are so many living in the dark...they have made their choice to not have faith and hope that God loves us and waits patiently for us to SEE the truth about nature and the order of the universe. 

I'm very sorry if I made anyone think about being condemned. When I read the scriptures, I see that many of the disciples mis-understood also and want to judge and make us feel guilt, that has been the way of the religion that Saul/Paul created. He meant well, I think...but, what a disappointment. ALL the bloodshed from crusades of men who only wanted to kill...and use the name of GOD as if God was behind it all.

It's a buncha bool! 

Whenever I read scriptures...I know in my heart what is true, and I know what is misunderstood through interpretation. 

Some people want to believe that no one knows the truth.  Booly bool!

The truth is stated simply, by my Lord, the commandments by which all others follow...love God, our Source  with ALL of our hearts and compassionately love all of Gods creation.

If we followed Jesus' example...he showed us how to forgive, and he showed us how to love those who would kill our bodies...but he also proved that death of the body is NOT death of the soul.

I'm sorry to go on about this, but I was misunderstood.  

And just as we know about karma...it is 'self' that creates selfs karma or dharma. The spirit/witness who resides within the heart doesn't just watch...it nudges, it whispers, it will tell you every secret...if you only seek and ask, then you will certainly find.

I can't wait until I can leave this body! But before my Spirit escapes...it will leave a book. It wants to, so I am gathering my thoughts. I have learned some things from many great teachers. It's all so simple and clear....then there is this old body, and it's silly life, somewhat comfortable, yet filled with obligation.

My philosophy...never get attached to your own life, because you WILL lose it. Living is easier when you are loving everyone else.