Influenced by our past lives

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Influenced by our past lives

via kksblog.com by hina on 2/19/12

(H H Kadamba Kanana Swami, 9th February, 2012, Leicester, England) Lecture: SB 1.2.19

We cannot trace out how long we have been in the material world. Life after life, we are changing bodies – that is to say we are changing the gross bodies but the mind (or the subtle body which is made up of mind, intelligence and false ego) is travelling with us life after life as long as we are taking bodies into the material world. Therefore, the impressions of so many lifetimes are stored in our consciousness, but by the arrangement of the Supreme Lord we have forgotten these previous lives. But all the memories of the previous lives are stored within the sub-consciousness, and subconsciously they are influencing us….. so many lives. Therefore a cute little child is not just totally innocent, because there is a whole history there that my not just be manifested yet, but it will come out after a little while. And then you think:

'Well how is it possible that my little darling is doing such a thing?'

But your little darling has already done these things in unlimited previous lives. So in this way we are very much influenced by the three modes of material nature, which spread out over many, many lifetimes.

Srila Prabhupada is mentioning that we should associate with the mode of goodness. He doesn't say that we should be in the mode of goodness, since he says that we should associate in the mode of goodness, which I think is an interesting point. I guess if someone says:

'You must be in the mode of goodness.'

Then we are all trying:

'Goodness….goodness. How am I ever going to be in the mode of goodness? It's so not easy!'

Just by determination and endeavour we cannot really change our heart. But by associating with the mode of goodness, then one gradually develops the qualities of goodness. However, here in the Srimad Bhagavatam, the transcendental process of devotional service is described. It is said that:

'By devotional service, automatically the influence of ignorance and passion disappears. Then eventually one becomes fixed in goodness and even in pure goodness!'

Unalloyed goodness – known as 'viśuddha-sattva' – transcendental goodness. Meanwhile we are in the process of purification and the influences of the lower nature are still there. And due to the influence of the modes of lower nature, some bad habits may still be there……………………..Because we were already afflicted with sinful behaviour from previous lives the tendency is there once again. And then when we are in an environment where such association is there then the inclination to act in a sinful way is very strong!