It is not the question of thinking that one may believe in the existence of soul or one may not believe. But fact is fact. "Two plus two equal to four"—that is science. If somebody does not believe, if somebody says, "Two plus two equal to five" or "three," that is not scientist. Similarly, we may not believe in the existence of soul, but that is a fact. But if we want to study the subject matter very seriously and scientifically, then it will be possible to understand.
But the simple method recommended in the Vedic literature, that if you chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa, mantra then gradually your intelligence or consciousness will be cleansed, and you will be able to understand that you are not this body, that you are spirit soul . . . ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇam (CC Antya 20.12). And if you understand that you are spirit soul, you are Brahman, then, at that time, you will become free from this blazing fire of material existence.
The blazing fire of material existence, I was just talking this morning our Swāmī Hanumān Goswāmī. He was speaking that at the present moment there is a movement amongst the younger section to commit suicide. Why? Why younger section are feeling such frustration and confused in spite of so much educational institution? In your Western country there is no question of poverty. You are all well-to-do, especially . . . I have extensively traveled over America and Europe, especially America. They are very opulent. I have traveled in Australia and come to your country, New Zealand. So far material necessities are concerned, you are all well-to-do.