The Origin of Suffering

(written on Nov 22, 2019)

(References: SP Lecture on SB 2.1.1)

The living entity actually suffers when it forgets about its real position. When one forgets their constitutional position, one doesn’t know of their future because they are subject to the laws of karma, due to their material attachments. However, when one remembers their constitutional position and performs unalloyed devotional service, their future is determined because Krishna promises to protect them.

However, once it understands these seven points, it becomes self realized and no longer suffers from the three modes of material nature because it understands its eternal position in relation with the Supreme Personality of Godhead:

• The Supersoul accompanies the individual soul in all bodies and the body is destructible but the individual soul and Supersoul are eternal.

• The Supersoul is equally present everywhere in all living entities.

• All activities are performed by the body which is created of material nature and the self (soul) actually does nothing.

• One must not see different identities due to different material bodies and must understand how beings are expanded everywhere.

• The soul is transcendental, eternal, and is beyond the modes of material nature. (even though it is in contact with the material body, the soul neither does anything, nor is entangled by the modes of nature).

• The soul which is situated in Brahman vision does not mix with the body despite being situated in the body.

• The soul, not matter, illuminates the body by consciousness.