The Regulative Principles of Freedom

There are positive and negative injunctions for those wishing to be successful in spiritual life. For example, if one wishes to start a fire he must apply heat (positive injunction) as well as avoid pouring water (negative injunction). If one has a disease and wishes to recover, he must take the medicine (positive injunction) that the doctor prescribes, and avoid certain foods (negative injunction) which would hurt his recovery.

There are four pillars of sinful life: the eating of meat, fish and eggs; the taking of intoxication; the attempt to enjoy illicit sex (sex outside of marriage); and gambling. These activities pollute the consciousness, whereas devotional service purifies the consciousness.

In addition, one who performs these activities will have to suffer a heavy karmic burden. That is, he will have to experience very negative reactions in the future for the activities performed at present.

One normally thinks that regulations are restrictions on freedom, but a little reflection will help one realize that this is not so. When criminal activity is restricted, citizens are "free" to walk on the streets. When one regulates his eating and exercising, one becomes "free" to enjoy healthy life. Likewise, by not engaging in meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex and gambling, the individual becomes free of their negative effects. His consciousness becomes less restricted by material conditions and bad karma so that he is able to better understand spiritual truths.

One who does not follow these restrictions, is not considered to be truly a human being, even though he may possess a human body.