Toward a Peaceful Society
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the modes of material nature, and that transcendence is the very process of Krṣṇa consciousness. As soon as we become situated in Krṣṇa consciousness, we become transcendental to the modes of material nature.
mām ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
“One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature, and thus comes to the level of Brahman.” (Bg. 14.26)
Thus one who is engaged in Krṣṇa conscious activity is at once elevated to the transcendental position. By nature we are not matter but Brahman ( aham brahmāsmi ). The philosophy of Śaṅkarācārya is mainly based on the principle that we should not think that we are products of this material nature. It is by some unfortunate accident that we are in contact with material nature. Actually our nature is that of spirit, Brahman, and that nature has to be invoked. This material life is a diseased condition; when we are situated in Brahman, we are in our healthy condition. That healthy Brahman condition is immediately attained as soon as we engage ourselves one hundred percent in Krṣṇa consciousness.
When we transcend material nature through the rendering of service unto Krṣṇa, what is our status? Do we become zero? Some philosophies maintain