2: The Search for the Absolute Truth
What is the importance of understanding the ultimate nature of reality? Consider the following points.
Krishna declares (Bg 13.12) that "the philosophical search for the absolute truth" is one of the conditions for being in a state of knowledge. - Searching for the absolute truth (brahma jijnasa) will lead one to Krishna (bahunam janmanam ante).
- Lasting happiness: Happiness based on temporary material reality must also be temporary, but happiness based on the absolute truth is permanent.
- If we don't understand who we are and what's going on, we won't be able to find true satisfaction and be free from suffering.
- Everyone naturally tries to improve and work toward perfection. Life in the spiritual world by definition is the ultimate perfection. But this perfection is only attainable by one in knowledge of the absolute truth.
- It is always preferable to understand reality. No one chooses illusion. If you ask someone a question, you don't ask him to mislead you.
- Only two kinds of people are happy in the material world: the completely illusioned (madman) and the completely enlightened (sage).
- Even in the mundane realm, the man in knowledge is the happy man: he knows how to attain his desired goal. Ignorance causes suffering.
- A mathematical equation with a faulty basis will produce an incorrect conclusion. Similarly, if our perception of the world has a faulty basis, our conclusions about life and who we are and what we should be doing will be wrong. Our perception of reality affects everything we do.
- House on a rock or sand: A life based on eternal, universal truths is like a house built on solid stone; a life based on temporary, conditional situations (or on illusory facts) is like a house built on sand. Which is more stable?
- Bubble of illusion: We may feel safe as long as we live in our own little bubble that we create for ourselves. But reality is always stronger than illusion and will ultimately come and burst our bubble.
- Not being situated in true knowledge has deep repercussions on the human psyche. Deep inside, people feel there is something wrong. They can't quite place their finger on it, but if they absorb themselves in the surface bustle of daily life they can manage to drown out the profound inner yearning for certainty. That certainty and many other strengths can be found in knowledge of the Truth.
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