Realizing I Am Spirit Soul and Not the Material Body
The most basic yet profound realization in human life is to understand the difference between the self and the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the root cause of all suffering is the false identification with the material covering. By cultivating the knowledge that "I am spirit soul" (ahaṁ brahmāsmi), one can transcend the temporary dualities of the material world and situate oneself in eternal happiness.
Foundation of Knowledge
Standard education often focuses on the needs of the body, but Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that real knowledge begins with the inquiry into the self. If a human being does not understand that they are a spirit soul, distinct from the body, their life is no better than that of an animal. This distinction is the ABC of spiritual life.
- First of all we have to learn that "I am not this body," that "I am spirit soul." That is Vedic instruction.
- I am not this body; I am the soul. Within the body, I am living, and after giving up this body, I'll have to accept another body -This is the beginning of knowledge. One who does not understand these plain, primary principles of knowledge, he's animal.
- The difference between animal society and human society is that a human being, whoever he may be, he can, if he is taught, trained and educated, he can understand his real position, that he is not this body, but he is pure consciousness; he is spirit soul.
Symptom of Self-Realization
How does one know if they have realized the self? The symptom, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, is immediate joyfulness. A person situated in the spiritual conception of life is described as brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā—fully joyful. They are no longer disturbed by the inevitable gains and losses of the material world.
- As soon as you come to this (I am not this body, but I am spirit soul.) platform of understanding, then the next stage will be you will be jolly.
- When one comes to understand that "I'm spirit soul," aham brahma, "I'm not this matter," so immediately he becomes jolly, prasannatma. And what is the sign of jolliness? Na socati na kanksati. He has no more any hankering, no more any lamentation.
- As soon as I understand that "I am not this body, I am spirit soul, and my symptom is consciousness," and that consciousness, as it is purified by this process, the whole material miseries will be over.
Freedom from Designations
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes one more point regarding the bodily concept of life: it leads to various designations such as race, nationality, and caste. These labels are the cause of conflict and division. Realizing that one is a spirit soul dissolves these superficial identities, revealing the equality of all living beings.
- I am neither dog, I am not man, I am not this, I am not that. This is all superficial. I am spirit soul. A dog is also spirit soul; the snake is also spirit soul; the tree is also spirit soul. - Panditah sama-darsinah (BG 5.18). That is real knowledge.
- Soul is not black, white, yellow. Soul is spirit. So one has to realize that "I am spirit soul. I am not Indian nor American nor Englishman nor German nor white nor black. This is my bodily description. I am not this body."
- We are identifying ourself with this body: "I am Indian," "I am Hindu," "I am Christian," "I am brahmin," "I am black," "I am white." These are all designations. This is not my real identity. My real identity is aham brahmasmi, "I am spirit soul."
Activity on the Spiritual Platform
Knowing "I am spirit" is not enough; Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one must act as spirit. The constitutional position of the soul is to serve the Supreme Spirit, Kṛṣṇa. Without positive engagement in devotional service, the mind will force the living entity back into material activities.
- Simply by understanding that, "I am spirit soul, I am Brahman," will not help us. You must act like Brahman. There must be realization; that is guna. At the same time, there must be practical work.
- Only when a person is perfectly situated in the realization that he is not the body but a spirit soul can he begin the process of bhakti, or devotional service.
- Our activities will be in accordance to that realization (I am spirt soul), that is to say that they will cease to be motivated from the material or bodily platform.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the realization that "I am not this body, I am spirit soul" is the turning point in the life of a conditioned soul. It liberates one from the fear of death and the anxiety of material existence. By firmly establishing oneself in this truth and engaging in the service of Kṛṣṇa, one reclaims their original, eternal nature of bliss and knowledge.
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 I Am Spirit Soul. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.