From Illusion to Liberation - The Science of Contemplation

The human mind is constantly active. What we speak, what we hear, and what we see inevitably becomes the subject of our mental energy, or contemplation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is the mind’s natural function, and the choice of what we contemplate determines whether we progress toward liberation or fall further into illusion. To achieve spiritual advancement, one must understand and control the science of thought.

The Material Entrapment of the Mind

Contemplation is dangerous when the mind is absorbed in temporary objects, such as sense enjoyment, wealth, and material possessions. This false thinking creates attachment, which inevitably leads to lust and anger, chaining the soul to the cycle of rebirth.

• While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
• In the material forest, the conditioned soul sometimes contemplates great castles and skyscrapers, and he wastes his energy for such things, hoping to live in them very peacefully with his family forever.

Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that this type of contemplation is ultimately futile and illusory (māyā-sukhāya). The big adventures and plans for material happiness are simply a waste of precious human energy because all material opulence can be destroyed by the cataclysms of nature at any moment. The real subject for a wise person is the salvation of the soul.

The Futility of Impersonal Meditation

Many modern practices of meditation and contemplation are based on impersonalism or voidism. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that closing the eyes without a defined, personal subject for the mind leads only to fatigue and illusion.

• In many yoga societies we find that people sit cross-legged and very straight, then close their eyes to meditate, and so fifty percent of them go to sleep because when we close our eyes and have no subject matter for contemplation, we simply go to sleep.
• They (the so-called meditators) think that by such contemplation or meditation they can become free, but it is seen that just three minutes after finishing such nonsensical meditation, they are immediately captured by the modes of material nature.

The impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth is intended only for the neophyte who cannot approach the Supreme Lord directly in His personal manifestation.

The Authorized Subject of Contemplation

The authorized process of bhakti-yoga begins with śravaṇam (hearing), because whatever we hear, we will later contemplate. Therefore, the subject matter must be pure and transcendental. True contemplation must be focused on the personal forms of the Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

• The yogi should contemplate His (the Supreme Personality of Godhead's) rounded hips, which are encircled by a girdle that rests on the exquisite yellow silk cloth that extends down to His ankles.
• The yogis should contemplate with full devotion the compassionate glances frequently cast by the Lord's eyes, for they soothe the most fearful threefold agonies of His devotees. His glances, accompanied by loving smiles, are full of abundant grace.

Contemplating the eight types of forms of the Lord (made of clay, wood, metal, jewels, etc., or within the mind) is of equal value, provided the devotion is fixed.

Conclusion: The Path to Liberation

The science of contemplation guarantees that whatever one focuses on throughout life determines one’s destination after death. If one is constantly engaged in devotional contemplation upon the Lord, the result is liberation.

• If one is thus constantly engaged during his lifetime, after giving up the body he will return back to Godhead to serve Śrī Rādhā in the same way as he contemplated during his life on the banks of Rādhā-kuṇḍa.

The human form, with its advanced consciousness, is meant to be utilized for spiritual cultivation. By choosing to contemplate the transcendental form and pastimes of the Lord, one ensures that the mind becomes an instrument for liberation, not entanglement.

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 Contemplation. We invite you to click the link above to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.