Krsna
I woke up the other day a bit early so I reached over and pulled a book from my bookshelf and flipped through it to find something interesting to read so that I could get back to sleep.
The book I pulled from my bookcase was “The Journey of Self-Discovery” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhup?da.
I read a really interesting chapter in the book entitled “Show-Bottle Spiritualists Exposed” (pgs 108-116 for anyone who has the book). This chapter really hit upon a few really good points which had me thinking and chuckling inside. One of the things that it covered was why American youths are turning towards eastern religions.
Here are excerpts:
Journalist: Let me ask you – I have my opinion, but let me ask you – why do you feel that the younger people today are turning more and more toward the Eastern-oriented religions?
Prabhup?da: Because your materialistic way of life no longer satisfies them. In America, especially, you have got enough for enjoyment. You have got enough food, enough women, enough wine, enough houses – enough of everything. But still you have confusion and dissatisfaction – more in your country than in India, which is said to be poverty-stricken. But you’ll find in India that although they are poverty-stricken, they are continuing their spiritual culture. So the people are not as disturbed. This shows that material advancement alone cannot give one satisfaction. If they really want satisfaction, people must take to spiritual life. That will make them happy. All these people – they are in darkness. There is no hope. They do not know where they are going; they have no aim. But when you are spiritually situated, you know what you are doing and where you are going. Everything is clear.
I think part of me agrees with his answer to things. I notice people are much more into instant gratification today. People want fast food, drive thru wedding chapels, instant fortunes, and movies (not books).
I had a great friend quite a few years ago whom I spent quite a bit of time. We passed this time discussing books which we took turn reading. Hours and hours of incredible conversation was spawned from our take of certain characters and their roles in the book. We were prolific readers, we had favorite books, favorite authors, and yes favorite movies.
All the young people that I am around seem to equate books to work and rather take a beating than do more than peer at the dust jackets.
Thank God for Elli, without her I would have no one to discuss literature with. We keep literature in our lives by reading and discussing the books together. I have read two rather thick compilation books to her this past year.
Why would anyone buy a book and never sit down to read it. I know a few people with vast libraries which are purely for show. I dunno.
I am thinking that the world has had a massive influx of ADHD.
