“But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.” (Bg.4.40)

The start of something new always requires faith, no matter whether it is starting a new job, moving to a new location, getting married, etc. We have to have faith that it will work to our benefit. But in this case we know that by pursuing the spiritual path, it will make positive differences and improvements in our life, in our consciousness, and even in the world. This is the long-term goal and award–attaining God consciousness.

Of course, as it is said in the above verse, for those who have no faith and who doubt the advice in words of God in the revealed scriptures attain neither God consciousness nor real happiness. The point is that happiness itself must come from within. There is no external or bodily activity that will bring happiness if you do not already have some joy in your heart. Naturally, some bodily activities may bring some pleasure, excitement or thrills, but they will not invoke a deep feeling of fulfillment if they do not affect you on a higher spiritual level. In fact, most bodily acts simply give you something to do while time slips away. They are like diversionary tactics that keep your mind and body occupied while time goes by.

Naturally, we do have to expect that there will be those who doubt the revealed scriptures or the instructions of God. But we have to look at them with sympathy because experience has shown many times that individuals who are dedicated to that which gives little else but temporary pleasure are often left with feeling less than fulfilled. They may even be disappointed, cynical or even lost in life, though they may not admit it. So we do not want to take such a road.

However, while traveling and walking in the light of spiritual awareness means that whatever you do will bring higher and deeper levels of joy and happiness. As we continue to walk the spiritual path, everything will get clearer. The point is that beauty and happiness are already within you. You are a creation of the source of all beauty and joy. The spiritual path merely reveals the inner and spiritual you, and relieves you of the mistake of identifying with the excess complications or illusory drama that goes on around us. This sort of experience increases our faith since it is the result of our dedication and witnessing what can happen in our own life by taking these instructions seriously.