Perfection of Human Consciousness

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the human form of life is a rare and distinct opportunity in the evolutionary cycle, meant for higher spiritual inquiry rather than mere sense gratification. While consciousness exists in all species, human consciousness is unique because it allows the living entity to question the nature of existence, understand the laws of nature, and revive their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. The perfection of this consciousness culminates in the realization that one is not the material body but a spirit soul, leading to a life dedicated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Evolution and Responsibility

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the human form is achieved after a long evolutionary process through millions of species. Unlike lower life forms which act according to nature's dictation without incurring sin, human consciousness carries the burden of responsibility; misuse of this developed consciousness can lead to degradation in future lives.

• We have got this human form of body, human consciousness, advanced consciousness, after many, many births, after through the evolutionary process. Many millions of years we have passed through many species of life.
• Species lower than human beings are not responsible for their actions because they are made to act in a certain way, but in the developed life of human consciousness, if one is not responsible for his activities, then he is sure to get a hellish life.
• Our first business is how to get out of this conditional life in the material world. That is human consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness. So our business is to take shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna.

Distinction from Animal Consciousness

The defining characteristic of a human being, according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, is the capacity for metaphysical inquiry. While animals are concerned only with maintaining the body, a human being must inquire into the cause of suffering and the origin of the cosmos to simply be considered developed in consciousness.

• The animals cannot inquire, but a man can inquire. So unless one comes to this point, to inquire how these problems can be solved, he's not developed to human consciousness. He's still in animal consciousness.
• Aside from human consciousness, there is consciousness in dogs, cats, worms, trees, birds, beasts and all other species. But we are not meant to live in that consciousness.
• Suffering without knowledge, without remedy, is animal life. One who cannot understand that he is suffering and who thinks that he is very well off is in animal consciousness, not human consciousness.

Compassion and Mode of Living

Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that true human consciousness is reflected in a lifestyle of compassion and non-violence. He argues that because humans have the intelligence to sustain themselves on innocent foods like grains and milk, resorting to violence against animals indicates a lack of spiritual development.

• If I can live by eating fruits and grains and milk, why shall I kill animal? This is human consciousness. Milk, if you get milk, you can prepare hundreds of nice preparations, all full of vitamins and nourishing.
• If we increase our quality of humanity, then our life is perfect. But if we remain in animality, then our life is imperfect. So we have to increase our human consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness.

Elevation to God Consciousness

The ultimate purpose of the human form is to transcend material designations and attain God consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda indicates that social structures like varṇāśrama-dharma are specifically designed to facilitate this transition from animalistic propensities to the divine realization of the self as a spirit soul.

• Perfection of human consciousness is there when one understands that, "I am not this body, I am spirit soul." Aham brahmasmi. That is perfection.
• God-made varnasrama-dharma is strictly meant for developing animal consciousness into human consciousness and human consciousness into godly consciousness.
• If one is not on the platform of God consciousness, he is not human being. He is animal. That's a fact. But we should not hate the animals because our mission is to bring them to the human consciousness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the perfection of human consciousness as the shift from bodily identification to spiritual realization. Unlike animals, humans possess the unique ability to inquire into the Absolute Truth and control their senses. If this developed consciousness is not utilized for understanding one's identity as a spirit soul and reviving one's relationship with the Supreme, the human life is considered wasted. Therefore, the goal of civilization must be to elevate humanity from the struggle for survival to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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 Human Consciousness. 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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