Without watering the root of God consciousness, all welfare efforts remain futile despite appearing busy and progressive.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
[indistinct] Lekhaśravantī [Walter Reuther's daughter]: This is Jackie Vaughn. He's a member of the House of Representatives of Michigan. He's come to speak to you. Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. Lekhaśravantī: He came also last year. He's very impressed by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa is black, and we worship Him.
[laughter] You have seen our Deity? Yes. Kṛṣṇa is from your community. [Prabhupāda laughs] There is no question of black and white.
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is above the skin—the soul which is there. Either he's black or white or yellow, it doesn't matter. Dehino 'smin yathā dehe [Bg 2.13]. This is the first education, that do not take the body, but the living force within the body.
That is important; we have to understand that. We are talking from that platform. Therefore sometimes it is little difficult, because people are very much absorbed with bodily concept of life. But our philosophy begins from that platform where there is no more bodily concept of life.
Therefore it is little difficult. [pause] Prabhupāda: So any question also? Śrutakīrti: You've been reading from Prabhupāda's books? Jackie Vaughn: Yes. I continue to search. Śrutakīrti: If you have any questions, you can ask him. Jackie Vaughn: The last time I was here you were kind enough to address to the basic point—we're in the world, and yet how can we not be a part of the world. Prabhupāda: Hmm? Hari-śauri: He says we're in the world, but how can we be aloof from it? How can we not be a part of it? Prabhupāda: It is knowledge.
Just like we are moving with this body, but still we know perfectly well that we are not this body. Just like you may move in your car, but you are perfectly aware that you are not the car. When you drive on your car, do you not know that you are not the car, car is different from you? Huh?
Don't you know that? Jackie Vaughn: Right. Prabhupāda: Similarly, by cultivation of knowledge one can remain in the car and still he can know that he is not the car. The example is given: just like coconut. Coconut, within the shell, green shell, there is coconut. And when it is dry, if you move you'll understand that the coconut is now separate—[makes sound:] cut-cut-cut-cut.