Addiction is a result of fragmental vision. Alcoholics see only the pleasure of the drink, not the pain of the consequent hangover. Although they may have experienced the pain repeatedly, still when tempted, they see only the pleasure. Such fragmental vision is caused by the mind, which distorts perception, emphasizing the things that impel us to act according to its fancies. When alcoholics learn to see holistically the connection between the temptation and the tribulation, then they begin the journey to liberation from the addiction.
The same principle of vision as the basis of liberation applies for all of us regarding our present bondage in material existence. The Bhagavad-gita (13.29) indicates that the vision of the one in everyone grants liberation. When we see that the one Supreme Being is present as the Supersoul in all living beings, then that divine vision becomes the unifying basis of our perception of everything.
This frees us from the mind’s selective perception of things as sources of self-centered pleasure. That is, we see people not as friends or enemies, but as souls who are under the supervision of Krishna, acting as instruments delivering us the reactions to our past karma. This awareness of the operation of the law of karma under Krishna’s supervision inspires us to respond based not just on what feels good in the short run but on what yields good in the long run.
How do we develop this awareness?
Not by some abstract conceptualization of Krishna’s presence in everyone, but by the concrete activities of bhakti-yoga that train us to perceive his presence in manifestations such as the holy names, the Deities and the scriptures. This training increases our devotional sensibility and gradually enables us to perceive his presence in everyone, paving the way to liberation.
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पुत्रवत करता हूँ
Sorry for my extremely delayed response to your above comment filled with concern and kindness.
I definitely need and am deeply grateful for your good wishes and prayers so that I can continue this service of Gita daily on a timely basis unfailingly throughout my life.
ys
ccdas
Hare Krishna prabhuji,
Very nice explanation! We must train our vision and perception to see and experience the presence of Super soul in every living being and that will lead us to liberation.
Thank you very much.