Mundane Psychology vs. Krsna Consciousness
One of the definitions of ‘mayavada’ is “The superimposition of mundane perspective on the spiritual Reality” as it (the Reality) is described in the revealed sastras. In other words, mayavadis try to adapt the sastric revelations and their injunctions to fit their limited perspective.
The modern day psychology and psychiatry, which concern themselves entirely with the lower manifestations of the subtle material energy as presented in the revealed sastras, are accepted by such atheistic mayavadis who cannot conceive of the existence of the higher Reality as their “religion”. A sincere devotee, though, can, in the light of sastric revelations and through the power of his sadhana bhakti and the mercy of Lord Krsna, understand their superficial shallowness and see their utter unsuitability for “treating” the conditions of mind.
The classical Samkhya is the complete science of the phenomenal creation which analyses both the gross and subtle material energies to lead one to higher Reality. As one of the ancient darsanas a bona-fide rendering of it has to be followed for one to become eligible to enter into its mysteries. The modern day psychologists and psychiatrists though, while trying to follow in its footsteps, due to being illusioned by the modes of nature disregard such bona fide rendering as well as the authorized sastric processes of practicing it and in the typical mayavadi spirit, “we know better”, are replacing these with their mental speculations. Thus they not only come to wrong conclusions but because they depart from the established bona fide practices of the school, instead of leading their followers to a brighter future by helping them transcend their lower selves and the “psychological” problems associated with them, all they can do for them is to drug them into oblivion so they simply forget those problems. According to the revealed sastras such demoniac mentality to control one’s emotions with the help of drugs is simply tamasic.
Shouldn’t we be extremely vigilant against being seen as endorsing such obviously demoniac methods or promoting such ideas that are in a direct opposition to the practice of Krsna Consciousness? The purpose is to respiritualize the society which, in its bewildered state, instead of making provisions to constructively remove the stresses that modern “civilization” subjects its citizens to, tries to do away with those who are suffering as a result by drugging them into blind compliance with their corrupt ideas. We should avoid partaking in these demoniac ways of the karmis, not become morally involved in the outcome.
As revealed, it is only through the wholesome spiritual Vedic “psychology”, where the relationship of these gross and subtle material bodies to the living entity herself is revealed, as for example in Bhagavad-gita As It Is, that the cause of the “psychological” problems originating in one’s mis-identification with this material energy can be fully healed.
Thus the unfortunate fashion, that crept its way into the movement, to back-up one’s sastric quotes with the grossly speculative statements of such charlatans as a proof of their validity, can only reveal ignorance of the sastric purports and of the irreconcilable gap between these two. Contaminating lectures on spiritual topics with any reference to such quackery is “….speaking “learned” words by one who cannot see things as they really are….” and is a preaching strategy in really bad taste because it’s tinged with the tamo guna.
Continuing in that direction, the movement could become an accomplice to the outcome of whatever happens to the soul who leaves the body in such a complete oblivion. As it transpires from the teachings of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, without the protection of Krsna’s mercy and left to her own “fate” there is the real danger that her subtle body, in complete bewilderment brought about by a sudden depravation of the psychedelic drugs, can enter, as revealed, “….into the darkest regions of Creation….”
Until one familiarizes himself with the vast information dealing in detail with the spiritual “psychology” fully presented in the Vedas, and realizes that all the power needed to become mentally healthy is contained within it, one will inevitably, when adversely affected by the modes, fall for the seemingly wonderful but dangerously foolish form of quackery as practiced by modern day psychology and psychiatry.
For example, the so-called “cognitive dissonance” is today a popular expression coined by these quack healers. Considering its definition from the Wi-ki:
“….the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time, performs an action that is contradictory to one or more beliefs, ideas, or values, or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values. The theory of cognitive dissonance focuses on how humans strive for internal consistency. An individual who experiences inconsistency (dissonance) tends to become psychologically uncomfortable, and is motivated to try to reduce this dissonance—as well as actively avoid situations and information likely to increase it….”
….it raises the question as to where on earth, in the presence of all the Vedic revelations available to the movement and the world, is the value of such a nonsensically superficial groping around the phenomenal manifestation in search of answers it simply doesn’t possess, reflection on which can only strengthen one’s identification with his false ego and which offers no solution to the problem of concern except of the volumes of useless literature further describing it in endless circles (unless somebody in better understanding of it can shed some light on its possible purpose)?
We all know that to baffle and frustrate all our efforts for material comforts is the inherent role of maya. An endless analysis of how she does it seems like a foolish waste of energy for one following the path of bhakti.
After surrendering to Krsna and His representative, Srila Prabhupada, through His Bhagavad-gita As It Is , where the spiritual “psychology” is fully revealed, one should not turn for guidance to the ignorant species. It’s like “chewing the chewed”.
It is clearly a part of the concerted effort by this demoniac society to completely silence any bona fide spiritual information, silencing the Hare Krsna movement’s efforts to re-spiritualize the consciousness of this misdirected “civilization” is nowadays, when the movement still means something due to Srila Prabhupada’s authority, the most important part of it.
BY: D. DAS
Jul 22, 2016 — VANCOUVER, CANADA (SUN) —
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