Krishna children were taught that in the spiritual world there were no parents, only souls and hence this justified their being kept out of view from others, cloistered in separate buildings and sheltered from the evil material world.

The quote "Krishna children were taught that in the spiritual world there were no parents, only souls, and hence this justified their being kept out of view from others, cloistered in separate buildings and sheltered from the evil material world" by Mary Garden refers to the teachings and practices associated with the Krishna Consciousness movement, particularly in the context of how children were raised in some of its communities. Garden highlights the spiritual perspective promoted within these teachings, where the idea of parental bonds and worldly attachments are seen as less significant than the development of the soul. In this view, children are seen as eternal souls rather than individuals bound by earthly familial ties.

The key element in this quote is the distinction between the spiritual world and the material world. In the Krishna Consciousness philosophy, there is a strong belief in the transcendence of the soul from the physical realm. The material world, which is often viewed as corrupt or illusory, is seen as a place of distractions, temptations, and suffering. The spiritual world, by contrast, is perceived as a pure, divine realm where souls are not encumbered by the limitations and attachments of the body, including familial relationships. This belief led to the idea that children in such communities should be sheltered from worldly influences to better focus on their spiritual development.

Garden’s observation about the Krishna children being kept "out of view" and "cloistered" in separate buildings suggests the isolation that was sometimes imposed on them to protect their spiritual purity. The community’s emphasis on protecting the children from the evil material world reflects a common religious and philosophical theme: that to grow spiritually, one must distance oneself from worldly distractions and negative influences. This isolation is framed as an act of spiritual discipline, where children can focus on developing their inner connection to the divine without being tainted by the perceived moral failings of society.

In essence, this quote sheds light on the unique approach to spiritual education and child-rearing within certain religious communities. It underscores the belief that souls are eternal and beyond worldly concerns like familial attachments, with the ultimate goal being to elevate one's consciousness above the material world.