I have been continuing my read of Tamal Krishna Goswami” diary it is a very moving and inspirational book with many fine points and quotes form Srila Prabhupada One made me think how we put so much faith into our imperfect senses. It’s a small quote from July 6:

The London devotees had sent Srila Prabhupada a silver and gold goblet. Today, Prabhupada drank out of it. I asked Prabhupada wheather it made the drink taste better. Prabhupada explained, “Material taste is sex life. The Karmis think that by changing, the particular taste will improve. Or by getting a new body, it will be better. Actually, by fortune, one gets a guru; and by the guru’s instruction, one gets Krsna. To get fortune, one has to follow the regulative principles. Man is the architect of his own destiny. But if he remains like an animal, he never gets fortune.”

We see that most companies advertise, New and Improved this or that. Now in an easy open carton, foil packaging to preserve flavour. We see that for a time the sale of this or that product increases, but does it truly satisfy?

How many have plastic surgery only to require more or find that it has not satisfied them in one way or another? Body image has a big impact on self esteem and the way individual respond to you or you to them. Not looking beyond the material presentation.

Everything is Re packaged Re branded but never do we try to elevate ourselves for our basic animal instincts in fact we constantly compare ourselves and our behaviour to that of animals.

I just felt that these few words of Srila Prabhupada summed up the human disease of consumerism without realising its true cost and what is actually of more value.