The philosophy of Krishna consciousness is non-sectarian and monotheistic. It may be summarized in the following eight points:
1) By sincerely following an authentic spiritual science, we can become worry-free and achieve a state of pure, unending, blissful consciousness.
2) We are not physical bodies made of matter. Each of us is an eternal soul, part of God, or Krishna. Realizing that we all have one common father in God helps us to see each other as one global united family.
3) Krishna is eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-attractive and present everywhere. He is the source of all life and the sustaining energy of the universe.
4) The Bhagavad-gita, spoken by Krishna Himself over 5,000 years ago, contains the essence of the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit texts.
The goal of Vedic knowledge is simple: to know and love God.
5) A genuine spiritual teacher (guru) is an essential guide on our path to self-realization. The Bhagavad-gita and other sacred texts
list many criteria one should look for in a potential guru. Above all, a guru should repeat Krishna's message unchanged, be free from selfish motives, and constantly focus his thoughts and actions on Krishna.
6) Before eating, we should acknowledge and reciprocate Krishna's love by offering all our food to Him with a prayer. Like a parent receiving a gift from a young child, Krishna is pleased when we offer Him food, even though He Himself has provided it. Offering food
to Krishna purifies our consciousness and brings us closer to Him.
7) Rather than living in a self-centered way, we should act in a way that gives Krishna pleasure. This is known as bhakti-yoga, the science of devotional service.
8) The most effective means for today's spiritual seeker to reach the blissful, worry-free state mentioned in point one, and to become
closer to God, is to chant His holy names:
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
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