2. Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
E-Mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net
Date Produced : February 2009
Serial No. : 32 of 54
VILLAGE
TECHNOLOGIES
24. In this conversation with some of his disciples Çréla
Prabhupäda says, "Modern, artificial 'necessities of life'
may seem to increase your so-called comfort. But if you
forget life's real aim, your so-called advancement of
technology is suicidal." (June 1976, the Hare Kåñëa
farming village at New Våndaban, West Virginia)
From Quest for Englightenment
Spiritual Solutions for Material Problems
Back toSimple Life and Simple Truth
25. Disciple: Çréla Prabhupäda, once you said, "The
tractor—this is the cause of all the trouble. It took all
the young men's farm work. It forced them to go into
the city and become entangled in sensuality." You
said people had to leave the country and the simple
life of goodness and God consciousness. And so
they went to the city and got caught up in the
anxious life, the mode of passion.
26. Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes. In the city people must
naturally fall into the mode of passion: constant
anxiety due to needless lusting and striving. In
the city we are surrounded by all sorts of
artificial things for agitating our mind and
senses. And naturally, when we have this facility
we become lusty. We take to this passionate
mode and become filled with anxiety.
27. Disciple: The country is more peaceful. It's easier to think
of spiritual life.
Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes. There is less disease.
Everything is less brain-taxing. In the country the pangs
of this material world are less. So you can arrange your
life for real profit. Spiritual profit. Realize God; become
Kåñëa conscious. And if you have got a temple in your
home or near your home, you have a very happy life. You
work just a little—just for your food—in the spring a
month and a half or so for planting, in the fall a month
and a half for harvesting. And in your remaining time you
become culturally enriched. You engage all your talents
and energies for realizing God. Kåñëa consciousness.
This is ideal life.
28. You see the minute fibers on this flower? No other
manufacturing process in this world can do this—
such small fibers. And how brilliant is the color! If you
study only one flower, you will become God
conscious.
There is a mechanism that we call "nature." And from
it is coming everything we see around us. Now, how
is it that this mechanism is so perfect? And who is it
that has devised this mechanism?
29. Anyway, learn to love this natural mode of life, life in a wide-open space.
Produce your own grain. Produce your own milk. Save time. Chant Hare
Kåñëa. Glorify the Lord's holy names. At life's end, go back to the spiritual
worldtoliveforever.Plainliving,highthinking—ideallife.
Modern, artificial "necessities of life" may seem to increase your so-called
comfort, but if you forget life's real aim, your so-called advancement of
technologyissuicidal.Wewanttostopthissuicidalpolicy.
30. Disciple: Once in London you said, "People do not
know that flowers are painted. Kåñëa paints them
with thoughts."
Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes. Most people think that by
itself, unconnected with a painter, this flower has
become beautiful. This is foolishness. "Nature has
done it." Whose nature? Everything is being done
by the natural mechanism of Kåñëa. Paräsya
çaktir vividhaiva çrüyate: [Cc. Madhya 13.65,
purport] the Lord is orchestrating everything by His
innumerable, inconceivable energies.
32. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
Age and Gender 70, Male
Country/Province of Origin Canada, Ontario
Educational Degree and Year B.A, 1968, M.Ed., 2004
Educational Institution State University of Yogyakarta
Professional Work/Experience Social Worker/Counselor
Affiliation with ISKCON Since 1974
Present Service in ISKCON Minister, IDVM-India
