Sharanagati

It is not enough to have a theoretical connection to God, right. Would you be happy if someone wants to have a theoretical connection with you? ‘Theoretically, I am very happy to meet you, but practically I cannot tolerate you.’ No, in this way it will not work, we must have a double-sided connection with the Supreme. One is the living connection with God. Living connection is when you have tested Him; a more living connection is when He has tested you. Because until we theoretically believe that God is the Supreme, but we don’t have practical experience on that, we don’t have the vision, then it is only words, empty words. Living connection means that ‘He is my life’! All belong to Krishna, we can say, and Krishna belongs to everyone. So, one side will not work without the other. This is a living connection. And the other side of this connection is the loving connection. And what is a loving connection? I cannot enter into details right now, but ultimately we can say that everything is moved by the divine love, affection. Sometimes you see only the stupid human functions, but if you can really trace back everything to the source, then you will see the divine will acting.

Where does time, place and circumstances reflect in our structure? It is reflected in our mind. Therefore it is said: “For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”[1] So, this is it! Therefore we have to control this reflection system. Some say that your mind is like a screen, and if it is not like a blank sheet, then the picture will be hazy. Therefore when all these: time, place and circumstances reflect in our mind, we have to have a pure mind. Then all these reflections will reflect not only in the material reflection, but will hint to the original. Then how to purify the mind in the best manner?

Answer: By chanting the maha-mantra.

Tirtha Maharaj: Do you really believe that, or it is only words?

Answer: Only words.

Tirtha Maharaj: Too bad. Does the mantra works for you? Try to take it seriously, then it will work. So, this is loving and living. Try, try, otherwise He will try you! Because, at least we should have the theoretical conviction: ‘Yes, by chanting the holy names I can purify my mind, I can purify my existence.’ Then it will turn into reality. And this is the real moment. Actually, what is our life here on this planet Earth? It’s a sad story of separation, correct? Sometimes meeting, other times separation. Because we have separated from our beloved Lord. Now we are on a long, long pilgrimage to find the way back home, back to Godhead. So, we wait for these moments to come – when there is a hint, when there is a reflection, a flash of the original. Therefore, we have to try at least to purify our mind by chanting this maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Practically we can say that this is the most important prayer in this dark age. Because there is God Supreme, there is the human being, and there is the living and loving connection between them. These are the three components of this whole universe. Where are you in this structure? Find your place, face your realities and be brave to believe your prospects, right. Try to control this reflective screen, purify it as much as possible, so that only the most important things remain there. Why? Because the next verse will tell: “For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.”[2]

Well, I am not on that platform. For me there is still some difference between hot and cold. But I wish that this should fulfill for you. Because if we can purify our reflective screen, then, as it is said, we shall achieve our inner peace.

[1] Bhagavad Gita 6.6

[2] Bhagavad Gita 6.7