View source for Thoughts of People - The Bewildered Civilization

In the age of Kali, the collective consciousness of humanity is clouded by illusion. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently analyzes the "thoughts of people" to show how far modern society has drifted from the Vedic standard. While people pride themselves on their advancement, their thoughts reveal a deep-seated ignorance regarding the goal of life, the nature of God, and the source of real happiness.

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=== The Definition of "Advancement" ===

The most common thought among people today is that civilization means material development. They think that by building skyscrapers, manufacturing cars, and opening factories, they are advancing. Śrīla Prabhupāda counters this by explaining that real civilization is based on self-realization. The modern definition of progress—merely polished animal life (eating, sleeping, mating, and defending)—is a delusion that leads only to frustration.

* [[Vaniquotes:People are thinking that advancement of civilization means improving eating, sleeping, mating and defending, but actually these activities have nothing to do with civilization. They simply tighten our bondage to material life|People are thinking that advancement of civilization means improving eating, sleeping, mating and defending, but actually these activities have nothing to do with civilization. They simply tighten our bondage to material life.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sometimes people boast, "We have gone from the hut to the skyscraper." They think this is progress. But in the Vedic system of civilization, one thinks about how much he is advanced in self-realization|Sometimes people boast, "We have gone from the hut to the skyscraper." They think this is progress. But in the Vedic system of civilization, one thinks about how much he is advanced in self-realization.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They (people) think, "By increasing motorcars, we shall be happy." This is called maya. That will not help. This motorcar civilization will be finished within another hundred years|They (people) think, "By increasing motorcars, we shall be happy." This is called maya. That will not help. This motorcar civilization will be finished within another hundred years.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:People are thinking that they have acquired knowledge because they know how to manufacture and drive cars, but before the car was here people were still going from one place to another|People are thinking that they have acquired knowledge because they know how to manufacture and drive cars, but before the car was here people were still going from one place to another.]]

=== Misconceptions about God and Religion ===

When it comes to spirituality, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that the thoughts of the general public are often confused or offensive. Many think that God is dead or that He is an ordinary human being. Others think that religion is meant to provide material bread, and if it doesn't, they reject it for industry. There is also the pervasive thought that Kṛṣṇa's pastimes are immoral or that the demigods are equal to the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:At the present moment people are denying the existence of God, or they are thinking that God is dead. That means imperfection of knowledge|At the present moment people are denying the existence of God, or they are thinking that God is dead. That means imperfection of knowledge.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although Krsna is the purest of the pure, mundane people, thinking of Krsna's pastimes that appear immoral, themselves become polluted. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore never publicly discussed Krsna's dealings with the gopis|Although Krsna is the purest of the pure, mundane people, thinking of Krsna's pastimes that appear immoral, themselves become polluted. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore never publicly discussed Krsna's dealings with the gopis.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Modern advanced in science people, they think: "Oh, what is the use of asking bread in the church? Why not take to industry?" That is their aim. In India, especially, this is the situation|Modern advanced in science people, they think: "Oh, what is the use of asking bread in the church? Why not take to industry?" That is their aim. In India, especially, this is the situation.]]

=== Judging the Devotees ===

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is frequently misunderstood by the public. People often think that the devotees are "escapists," "lazy," or "sentimentalists" who are wasting their time. They cannot understand that chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa is a scientific process of purification. They value "social work" like opening hospitals but fail to see that distributing spiritual knowledge is the highest welfare work.

* [[Vaniquotes:Generally people cannot understand what is this Krsna consciousness movement. They think it is some religious sentiment, like so many other religion - it is like that. No. It is most the scientific movement|Generally people cannot understand what is this Krsna consciousness movement. They think it is some religious sentiment, like so many other religion - it is like that. No. It is most the scientific movement.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We are not dull matter. We have got our flexible hands and legs to work. People think that "These Krsna conscious men, Hare Krsna people, they are escaping." What is that, escaping? We are not escaping. We are practically taking the real activities|We are not dull matter. We have got our flexible hands and legs to work. People think that "These Krsna conscious men, Hare Krsna people, they are escaping." What is that, escaping? We are not escaping. We are practically taking the real activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:People think that this is idol worship and imagination, but this method is prescribed in all the sastras for developing God consciousness. It is an actual science|People think that this is idol worship and imagination, but this method is prescribed in all the sastras for developing God consciousness. It is an actual science.]]

=== The Illusion of Security ===

Perhaps the most dangerous thought is the illusion of security. People think they are safe in their material situations—their nations, their families, and their bodies. They ignore the reality of death and the repeated cycle of birth. They think they can conquer nature, but they are actually being kicked by ''māyā''.

* [[Vaniquotes:People are always thinking that they are secure, and this is called maya, illusion|People are always thinking that they are secure, and this is called maya, illusion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unfortunately, people are so dull in this age that they have no idea how birth and death can be stopped. They think that birth and death cannot be stopped; even famous scientists admit this|Unfortunately, people are so dull in this age that they have no idea how birth and death can be stopped. They think that birth and death cannot be stopped; even famous scientists admit this.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Thinking in these bodily terms, people consider their wives and children to be theirs and the land of their birth to be worshipable. Thinking thus, people are willing to fight and die for their country|Thinking in these bodily terms, people consider their wives and children to be theirs and the land of their birth to be worshipable. Thinking thus, people are willing to fight and die for their country.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The thoughts of the masses are not the standard of truth. As Śrīla Prabhupāda states, "People value their opinion, thinking it something very big," but without Vedic knowledge, these opinions are merely mental concoctions. To find the truth, one must look beyond popular opinion to the eternal wisdom of the ''śāstras''.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Thoughts of People|Thoughts of People]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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