During the rainy season, we cannot see the moon because it is covered by the clouds. The clouds, however, are radiant with the glow of the moon’s rays. Similarly, in our material existence we cannot directly perceive the soul, because our consciousness is covered by the cloud-like false ego, the false identification with the material world and the material body.
The Bhagavad-Gita describes that the energy of the soul is consciousness. When this consciousness is manifested through the screen of the false ego, it appears as dull material consciousness in which there is no direct vision of the soul or God.
We think that material consciousness is full of hope and happiness. This is comparable to thinking that the luminous clouds are lighting up the night sky. Actually, the clouds are dark and they hamper the moonshine; they appear luminous only because they are filtering the brilliant rays of the moon.
Similarly, at times material consciousness appears pleasurable or enlightened because it is filtering the original bliss and enlightened consciousness coming directly from the soul. The false ego hampers and obstructs the real spiritual consciousness, which is fully enlightened and peaceful.
– Radhanath Swami
Thank you Radhanath swami for this article. Recently, I had to go through an experience and as I read your blog, this makes me think that your words are so true.
very nice comparison & wonderfully given a superb message in conclusion
thanks Radhanath Swami
A great comparison conveying profound message.
Amazing comparison. Thank you for the article
Very Beautiful and Practical E.g .Thank You Radhanath Swami Maharaj ! Hare Krsna !
false ego is like the cloud,which stops the light of the soul like shinning moon……………..
nice comparison.
great article. thank u.
Superb analogy.
very insightful and enlightening.
For spiritually enlightened souls…it is so easy to derive powerful lessons from simple things (Eg: Mother Nature)…It is thought provoking!!!
wonderful analogy.
Wonderful!!!
Very wonderful article.
A nice analogy.
Just as the luster of gold shows up on polishing it, the beauty of the soul is visible upon purification through chanting. Thank you Swamiji for giving us this realization.
awesome article
Amazing!
so nicely analogy. It makes things easier to understand and remember 🙂
wonderful article.
These articles are conveying deep messages which can transform one’s life.
Wonderfully explained.
Wonderful analogy. We should realize that our material consciousness is hampering the progress of our spiritual consciousness and therefore try to root out our false ego. thank you for sharing these wonderful realizations.
Superb analogies.Thank you.
Wonderful!!
Radhanath swami explains so beautifully the difference between material and spiritual consciousness! Thank you!
good one
Very good analogy. it is necessary to curb the false ego. All glories to HH Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.
Amazingly explained with an Amazing analogy. All glories to His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Best way to treat our false ego is given here by Radhanath Swami.
Thank you very much for giving this understanding of our cloud like false ego
Wonderful quality of Radhanath Swami to explain deep philosophical topics with very simple examples and analogies.
Very Nice. So profound.
wonderful analogy explaining about the soul & its consciousness
Hare Krishna…Radhanath Swami Ki Jai…
thank you very much maharaj for wonderful explanation.
“The false ego hampers and obstructs the real spiritual consciousness, which is fully enlightened and peaceful”. This statement by HH Radhanath Swami brings in clarity and instructs us to strictly deal with our false ego for advancement in spirituality.
the subject matter is explained with great analogy by Radhanath Swami.
Many thanks to Radhanath swami for the nice article
What beautiful analogy used by Swamiji………
very enlightening
too good
thank you maharaj for putting it so nicely
What a beautiful way to understand the existence of soul.
Hare Krishna…Radhanath Swami Ki Jai
amazing comparison
Radhanath Swami has very nicely explained the fleeting & temporal nature of material happiness.
nice comparisons
Thank you Radhanath swami for explaining the material consciousness and soul with clouds and moon.
Many thanks to swami Radhanath for the nice article
Nice analogy.
Hare Krishna…Radhanath Swami Ki Jai…
Amazing article.
Amazing description of the two consciousness that makes the discrimination easy.
Very nice comparision.
Very enlighting
that example make things clear…thank u prabhu for giving us an extract of maharaj’s nectarine words.
Thank you for sharing this great analogy with us.
Wonderful comparisons here!