So, for example, if he obtains the body of a dog, he will have to act like a dog from then on; it cannot be otherwise. If he receives the body of a pig, he will be forced to eat excrement and act like one. If he obtains the body of a celestial being, he will also have to act like one. Such is the law of nature.

But in all circumstances, the Supreme Soul accompanies the individual soul. The Supreme Lord is so kind to all beings that, as the Supreme Soul, He always accompanies the embodied soul, regardless of the body it is in and regardless of the circumstances.

Thus, the distinct being borrows from within material nature various ways of existing, and takes pleasure in the three attributes and modes of influence of material nature: virtue, passion and ignorance, and this because it touches material nature. It then experiences sufferings and pleasures in turn, in various forms of life.

In truth, it is the attachment to material existence that is at the origin of the reincarnations undergone by the soul, and therefore the bodies of different materials that it must accept whether it wants to or not. However, these changes of body are due to the attachment to material existence. As long as it is captivated by this illusory manifestation, it will have to continue to reincarnate from one material body to another.

Indeed, only its desire to dominate material nature places it in these undesirable conditions, giving it sometimes the body of a celestial being, sometimes that of a human being, sometimes that of a terrestrial or aquatic animal, sometimes that of a bird, an earthworm, an insect, a blade of grass, a tree, or a wise man, always according to its material desires. And each time, it will believe itself to be the master of its destiny, a destiny in fact imposed by material nature. These are the conditions for assigning the various bodies imposed on the embodied soul, according to its desires and actions. The process results from contact with the various attributes and modes of influence of material nature—virtue, passion, or ignorance—which condition the embodied soul.

Therefore, we must absolutely rise above these three attributes, these material influences, and attain the spiritual level. This is what is called Krishna consciousness or God consciousness.

Unless we are conscious of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we will be forced by material consciousness to move from one body to another, for we will have accumulated material desires for infinite time.

We absolutely must change our “point of view,” our way of thinking, our goals, and our forms of desire, from material desires to spiritual desires. This change can only occur if we pay close attention to the living words of God and put into practice His divine and saving teachings. Therefore, let us renew our connection with God and link our desires and interests to His.