From one destructive activity to another

G u r u m u k h p a d m a v a k y a"

From one destructive activity to another destructive activity …….….. Nectarean Mellows

Since time immemorial we have abused our senses by utilising them to try to gain some enjoyment from the objects of sense gratification; therefore; the living entity is literally addicted to sense gratification, just like we see there are alcoholic synonymous where people are addicted to alcohol; very very difficult to overcome. Therefore we have to really, really concentrate our energies in the association of other persons who are like minded otherwise it is practically impossible to give up this alcoholics. Similarly today there are alcoholic synonymous, there are necrotic synonymous, there is sex synonymous, there is gambling synonymous and as Kali Yuga proceeds for practically every activity a person engages in sense gratification, there may be some organisation of anonymous to somehow or other try to give it up. And I remember here in Mumbai when some noble souls would regularly invite me to an alcohol anonymous, I found in these people more of a sincere spiritual mood than most temples and churches around the world; because they really have accepted within their hearts that they are totally helpless; that they cannot overcome this force which is destroying their lives, they have recognised it and the power that could help them is the power of God and without like minded persons helping them, they cannot connect to that power of God. (But) One unfortunate situation is, probably 95% of the people who are discussing these very very nice topics are smoking cigarettes because the smoking of cigarettes helps them to, somehow or other, to bare that temptation for alcohol. So what it is actually; it is just somehow or other, it is diverting your attention from one destructive activity to another destructive activity; both destroy the body and both destroy one's spiritual inclination. In fact, any type of addiction to any type of bodily pleasure, it is great enemy to one's spiritual lives. Therefore the great acaryas teach us according to sastra that with the same senses that are now causing you so much bondage and suffering; engage them in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; your senses become purified, you become free from all these material identification and gradually you develop love for Krsna.
H H Radhanath Swami Maharaj