“There are two definitions of the living entities. One definition is jiva-bhuta, and another definition is Brahma bhuta. What is the jiva-bhuta? So long the living entity has got the misconception of his existence, that “I am this body,” he’s called jiva-bhuta. And when he is completely in knowledge that “I am not this body,” that is called brahma-bhutah. The same “I,” one is false identification, and another is real identification. The real identification begins—brahma-bhutah, to know that “I am not this matter; I am spirit soul.” That is the beginning. Even in that beginning understanding, that “I am not this body; I am spirit soul,” there is Brahman realization, but that Brahman realization has to be increased. That means not only realize yourself that you are Brahman or spirit soul, but you have to engage yourself as Brahman and spirit, to work as Brahman. Then the perfection is complete. And how to work that? So long as you are inactive, your Brahman realization is not perfect. I have several times given this example, that if a diseased man is cured, the temperature is no more coming. That is the stage of cure. But that is not perfect stage of cure. When you actually work without any fever, without any disease, that is your perfect stage. Similarly, simply by understanding theoretically that you are not this body, you are soul, that is not perfect realization. Perfect realization is to work in Brahman stage.”
Lecture: “Nobody Wants to Die”
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Boston, May 7, 1968
Full Lecture: http://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/general/lecture_nobody_wants_to_die/boston/may/07/1968
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