Jagadbandhu das: We’ve been taught to offer reverent gratitude to our beloved preceptor who has so mercifully opened our eyes from the darkness of ignorance with the torchlight of knowledge. And that the eyes are the window to the soul. But the eyes are also the window for the soul, portals opened widely by Divine Grace through which we may actually perceive true reality. For ourselves. As souls.

Have we reflected that because of the perpetuity of each soul’s individual liberty (which Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur considered God’s greatest gift to all souls); neither Sri Guru or God Himself can force us to really see? His own personal servant is known to have been seduced by the allurement of gypsies and to consequently renounce Mahaprabhu’s Own Affectionate Companionship. God does not force souls to love Him. Even the greatest Teacher cannot make a student learn their lessons because learning and realization are a subjective process based on the specific liberty, free will and individual choice of each particular unique soul. My Teacher cannot learn for me and even a self-effulgent Acharya himself cannot force his own students to become personally realized with spiritual awakenment.

Sri Guru, God Himself, His saints and the Holy Scriptures can only illuminate our eternal path of real inner progress. They can only show us the Way. We must take it upon ourselves to actually tread upon It. With eyes wide open. Therefore, we are continually encouraged to “…just try and understand.” And from “…every angle of vision.”

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada emphasized the importance of individual striving (as opposed to making a bureaucracy which would spoil everything) well-knowing that with good guidance and individual sincerity each soul has the potential within themselves to become self-realized. And work conjointly with a love and trust born of spiritual maturity and deep insight. For the real benefit of everyone.

convert this post to pdf.