One does not know what the progressive way of life is. Why? Because he has
understood that this sense enjoyment is life’s greatest pleasure. He is foolishly
thinking that he will be happy by this sense enjoyment. This is just like having a
horse which is not properly bridled. It is running on, running on, and you do not
know where it will throw you. Similarly, uncontrolled senses are just like unbridled
horses, dragging your chariot. You do not know where it will throw you. We do not
realize how responsible we are for every action. To every small part of our action,
there is a reaction. And our uncontrolled senses are putting us through the chain of
action and reaction and dragging us into the darkest part of the universe.

Therefore, Lord Sri Krsna says that one who has learned how to control the senses
is called svamin. To a controlled person, worldly activities are darkness. Those who
are situated in pure consciousness see that people who work hard simply for eating,
sleeping, mating, and defending—these people are sleeping. And, to the persons who
are engaged in these material activities, we are sleeping. They see that Swamiji has
come to America to preach something to make us inactive. He is just trying to drag
us from our general engagement, and he’s trying to engage us in the process of kirtan
and hearing Bhagavad-gita and wasting time. So, they believe we are sleeping.
Somebody may think, “These poor fellows have gathered here to waste their time in
discussing something dry, which has no meaning, which is not bringing forth
anything. Let us have some business discussion, so that we can gain something from
it.” We see that these people are sleeping and they that we are sleeping.

Now, actually, who is sleeping? He is awake who comes to the platform of
consciousness that I am not this body—I am consciousness. One is awake who has
understood this simple fact, that I am not this body, I am consciousness. Without
consciousness, my body is useless. Therefore, I am actually consciousness. I am pure
soul, and the symptom of my presence is consciousness. I am not this body. When I
think deeply, I can understand that this is my body. This is not I, body. This is my
body. So, one who has understood this—he is awake.

Now, the whole process described in the Bhagavad-gita is to be awake. You are pure
consciousness—spirit soul. And, not only to be awake, but to act accordingly, so
that, at the ultimate end, your pure consciousness may be liberated from this bodily
entanglement. Then you'll get your healthy life. This is a disease, this material life.
This material body is the symptom of my diseased form of life. I am not actually
subject to birth and death. I am eternal. I never take my birth. I never die. This is my
real position. Then, what is this birth and death? It is due to this body. Changing the
body like a dress is called birth and death. But actually, Iam pure soul.
