Lord Krishna and His Essential Teachings
If God Were to Tell You the Truth About Life, This is It
By Stephen Knapp
If
God were to tell you the truth about life, this is it, or as close to it as you
are going to find. Often times we go through life and occasionally find
ourselves confused about why are we here, or what we are supposed to do. That is
normal when we do not have proper knowledge or guidance. But such insight is
available if we know where to look for it.
Some of the most plentiful, prominent and clearly defined spiritual teachings of all are found in the Vedic tradition, especially those that have been given to us by Lord Sri Krishna Himself. He has provided some of the most elaborate, detailed and direct of all spiritual knowledge that can be acquired by anyone. Therefore, this book uses numerous verses of Lord Krishna’s directions as found in the various Vedic texts, all divided according to topic. So here is the heart or essential spiritual message of what Lord Krishna has given for the benefit of all mankind so we can progress onward and upward from whatever position we may find ourselves in this material world.
Some of the topics include:
* Who is Krishna, evidence from the ancient texts
* The most secret of all knowledge about life
* The rarity of human birth
* The real purpose of this creation
* How to perceive our spiritual identity
* How to practice mystic yoga
* Description of the Supersoul
* The way to meditate
* How to be a spiritual person in this material world
* The highest levels of spiritual enlightenment
* How to follow the process of bhakti or devotional yoga
* How bhakti frees us from past karma
* The importance of Bhagavad-gita in this day and age, and much more.
The instructions of Lord Krishna are like the comforting nectar that can warm the heart and soothe the soul.
CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION:
WHO IS SRI KRISHNA?
What the Vedic Texts Say About Him * What Sri Krishna Says About Himself * The
Mistake of Accepting Krishna as a Representation of Something Higher * Krishna
as the Source of all Creation * Krishna as the Source of all Avatars of God *
Why Lord Krishna Descends into this World * How Lord Krishna Took Birth in the
Material World * Janmastami–Krishna’s Birth Festival * Misunderstanding the
Activities of Lord Krishna * The Beauty of Krishna * How to Understand God * The
Result of Failing to Understand Krishna * Descriptions of Lord Krishna’s Eternal
Abode
CHAPTER ONE:
WHAT IS REAL KNOWLEDGE
What Lord Krishna Says to be the Most Important Knowledge * How This Vedic
Knowledge is Descending Down Through Time
CHAPTER TWO:
THE RARITY OF HUMAN BIRTH
CHAPTER THREE:
THE TEMPORARY NATURE AND PURPOSE OF MATERIAL EXISTENCE * The Affects of Maya,
The Illusory Energy * Finding Real Fulfillment
CHAPTER FOUR:
OUR REAL IDENTITY AS SPIRITUAL BEINGS
The Living Being in Material Existence * Seeing the Spiritual Unity Between Us
CHAPTER FIVE:
REINCARNATION AND THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER SIX:
THE WAYS OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND REAL FREEDOM
Jnana-yoga * How to Perform Karma-yoga
CHAPTER SEVEN:
HOW TO PRACTICE MYSTIC YOGA
Worshiping the Brahman: Lord Krishna’s Impersonal Aspect * Lord Krishna’s
Instructions on Yoga * It Is Not Easy for One to Reach Spiritual Perfection in
this Form of Yoga * The Essential Points in this Yoga System * Devotional
Meditation Frees One From the Illusion * The Highest Levels of Spiritual
Enlightenment * The Mystic Perfections Attained Through Yoga * The Way to
Meditate * Leaving the Body Through Yoga: The Ultimate Perfection
CHAPTER EIGHT:
RECOGNIZING THE ENERGY OF GOD EVERYWHERE
CHAPTER NINE:
LORD KRISHNA AS THE SUPERSOUL
CHAPTER TEN:
REALIZING LORD KRISHNA AS BHAGAVAN, THE SUPREME BEING
The Process of Devotional Service--Bhakti-yoga * The Foundational Principles *
The Essential Ways for Developing Love for Krishna * The Way to Worship the
Deity Form of the Lord * In the End You go Back to Krishna * Why Lord Krishna
Advises us to Engage in the Process of Bhakti-yoga * Those Who Render Devotional
Service to Lord Krishna * Those Who Do Not Take up Devotional Service * Bhakti-yoga
Gives the Same Results as Mystic Yoga and More * How to Meditate or Think of
Lord Krishna * Chanting Lord Krishna’s Holy Names * The Bhakti Process Erases
Past Karma * Even the Worst Sinners Can be Delivered and Reach Peace * The
Conclusive Decision is Up to Us * The Need to Spread This Knowledge
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
THOSE WHO WILL REMAIN IN MATERIAL BONDAGE
CHAPTER TWELVE:
THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR LIBERATION
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
REAL LIBERATION MEANS RETURNING TO LORD KRISHNA
CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
KRISHNA THE EVER-LOVING GOD
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
ABOUT OTHER FORMS OF RELIGION AND ACTIVITIES
A Closer Look at the Effects of the Modes of Material Nature * Different
Qualities in the Modes of Nature * Observing the Interactions of the Modes of
Material Nature * Types of Knowledge in the Modes * Types of Foods in the Modes
* Types of Actions in the Modes * Types of Residences in the Modes of Nature *
Determination in the Modes * Happiness in the Modes * The Conclusion and
Ultimate Purpose of the Vedic System--How to Become Free From the Modes of
Material Nature
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
HOW TO BE A SPIRITUAL PERSON IN THIS MATERIAL WORLD
Helpful Duties for Women * On Serving Parents * Criticizing Others * Duties of a
Ruler
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX ONE:
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA IN THIS DAY AND AGE
CHAPTER NOTES / REFERENCES / GLOSSARY / INDEX
Ordering Information
This book is $18.95, 280 pages, with Glossary, References, and Index. ISBN-10: 1499655878, ISBN-13: 978-1499655872.
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