Back to Godhead

As we learn of all the great devotees who attained the Absolute, we may wonder whether that should be the aspiration for us. Should we actively desire to reenter the spiritual world, or is that another type of selfishness that compromises the purity of our devotion?

Once, when a disciple expressed his desire to perpetually serve Srila Prabhupada life after life, his spiritual master’s reply came as a shock -“Don’t make me come back here lifetime after lifetime to accept your service!” Knowing the devotee’s level of advancement, Srila Prabhupada pointed out that in the beginning of our spiritual journey, the meditation to escape the misery of the material world and attain liberation was a valid one that would inspire our spiritual practice. Repeating the words of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada would remind devotees: “This world is like a toilet – you do your business and get out!” At the formulative stages of bhakti, we cultivate desires which are favourable to deepening our spiritual practice.

On a higher level, one realises that the spiritual world is not just a geographical location, but actually a state of consciousness. When one is fully absorbed in remembering, serving and pleasing Krishna, then they are already living in the spiritual world. Rupa Goswami labels such a person as a jivan mukta – ‘liberated while living.’ Such persons are indifferent to where they go after death and more concerned with having the opportunity to serve Krishna life after life.

On an even higher level, however, one may well desire to return to the spiritual world if it facilitates their service to Krishna. At this stage, the desire to re-enter the spiritual world is not driven by personal consideration but rather spiritual desire. We observe that many great teachers, in their infinite depth, pray for a particular spiritual perfection in the transcendent world, knowing it will facilitate pleasurable service to the Lord.