Radhanath Swami on Going from Illusion to Reality

According to the Vedic system, there are five ways of acquiring knowledge. The first is through direct perception of the mind and senses. But that is very faulty! Another is indirect knowledge, receiving understanding from higher authorities who know more than us. The third stage is application of that knowledge to gradually develop understanding and realization. The next step is revealed knowledge, knowledge that is beyond the mind and the senses that is revealed through the spiritual master, saintly persons and scriptures or through divine revelation. And the perfection is transcendental knowledge and realization of the spiritual essence of life where we can actually perceive the presence of God with our spiritual senses everywhere and in everything, where we can actually can perceive and participate in the beautiful pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the process of going from illusion to reality.