We Are Not These Bodies

 

The body is not the self. What is this material body? It is a bag of bones, blood, urine and many other unclean substances. The mind is also part of the material body and is different from the soul.  It experiences temporary mundane emotions as real, thus causing much anguish and only a little pleasure. We are individual souls, not these bodies or minds.These bodies are mortal; all the  doctors and scientists of this world cannot prevent old age. One day, twenty, thirty or fifty years from now, we will become old. Our beauty and power will disappear; we won't be able to walk  without the help of a cane, and after some time we will die. At that time we will have to give up everything we have accumulated during this lifetime. Nothing in this world will be able to save us  from continued suffering - only God can save us in all respects. If we realize this and engage in His loving service, we will become happy.As spiritual souls we are all parts and parcels of the  same God, the Supreme Lord. Souls in all species of life, from the lowest, such as plants and animals, to the highest, such as humans and demigods, are His parts and parcels. The ancient  scriptures of India, the Vedas, say, "God is one. Everything in this world is merely an expansion of His power, or energy." Atheists, who don't believe in God, believe in the world of nature. They  believe that everything comes from nature and returns to nature. The world of nature in which they have placed their faith, however, is simply a part of the energy of that Supreme Lord.We are  like the Supreme in that we have been created in His image, but unfortunately we have turned away from Him and have forgotten who we are. We think that these material bodies are our real  selves. We spend our days collecting money and securing positions, thinking that these things will make us happy - but this conception is totally wrong.