Problems With the Existence of the Soul — Letters

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I wanted to comment on the article “The Quest for Certainty” [19/6], by Kundali dasa. Congratulations! Certainly this is proof of the intellectual prowess of the members of ISKCON. I was impressed! A very good piece of writing. If you can continue to produce such articles, I think it will have great benefit for both your movement and the reading public.

Andi Emerson Weeks
New York City

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Although I was raised a Roman Catholic, I have become very much interested in the spiritual philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita. But my main problem is the existence of the soul: I still think that after I die there will be a complete end to all my consciousness and individuality. And as for the concept of reincarnation, that seems to just be “whistling in the dark.”

Is there any way a scientifically-minded person can understand the soul and reincarnation, other than just taking Krsna’s word for it?

Jay Kaelin
Los Angeles

our reply; There is no scarcity of scientific evidence about the soul and reincarnation. (See “Reincarnation: Science or Superstition?” [19/5]. But what is unscientific about accepting Lord Krsna’s instruction in the Bhagavad-gita? Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Are you, or the many other people who think that death means an end to consciousness and individuality, greater authorities than the Supreme Lord?

Of course, if you don’t accept that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then it will be difficult or impossible to accept what He says in the Bhagavad-gita. But if we even theoretically accept that Krsna is God and read the Gita in that submissive spirit, then we can understand His teachings. Otherwise the Gita will remain a great mystery.

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I have read many of your books and your magazine, BACK TO GODHEAD, which I enjoy every much. I have a copy of your July 1984 BACK TO GODHEAD and have read about your Free Meal Mobile program in Cleveland, Ohio. The only thing I can say is that it shows you have a great love for people. I think others should follow your example.

Jim Tyier
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania