Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 09.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

Today I’d like to start to discuss an important topic with you and this is the lotus of the heart. Many times when we hear of the heart, we are emotional or sentimental. But we have to be very clear about this layer of human existence. Because this is a gate to the higher divine reality and therefore we have to be very specific about it and understanding it properly. 

Please don’t lean on the altar. We should support the temple, not lean on the altar. Do you agree on this point? I mean not on the supporting or leaning on – it’s obvious. I don’t ask your consent, you should accept this. 

But alright, let’s stay for a short while on this topic. In good times we come to the temple. That’s a better case; if we are in a very good period, then we don’t go to the temple at all – this is the time to enjoy our life. But when you are in trouble, immediately you will find the way to the temple, correct? And you wait for some help, support, guidance to come. In one way that is normal, no problem. But if you don’t support the spiritual centers when you are in good disposition and abilities, then why do you expect that somebody will help you in need? We all expect the help; please be ready to give your support as well. It’s common sense. This is a joint pool of help and divine blessings. Everybody can take a cup from this nectarian water. But please, supply as well. Because when you are in need, you can come. When you cannot supply, then you have to take. But when you can share, when you can give, please do! The time will come when you are in need; or when others are in need. We have to collect now, in order to share later. 

Try to have this common understanding, this is like a self-help community. If I am alone, I have to resolve all the problems of life. But if I learn how to be a member of a united community, then my powers are multiplied. Isn’t it a good feeling to have friends when you are in need? It’s a good feeling; so be there as a helper as well, not only as a recipient. Don’t forget about this principle. 

If you organize a big event, let’s say 200 people come to an evening lecture and one person has to finance the prasadam, that’s difficult. But if 100 people take part in financing and 200 people take part in receiving, then it’s not a big deal. Because if we are united, the powers are multiplied. If we are divided, even the strong abilities are diminished. So please, be united! Not for material purposes, but in the spirit. 

So shall we discuss the heart platform of human life? Shyama Tulasi, tell us something about the heart chakra. 

Shyama Tulasi: As it is between the lower and the higher chakras, it’s the place where spirit and matter meet. And to the extent one is able to hear his heart chakra, to this extent he is able to dance the dance of life.

Swami Tirtha: Ah, I thought that to dance in Mahaprabhu’s mission. All right, thank you. This is a very important information that you give. And actually it shows the basic human nature. The down part is a little instinctive. The upper side is a little too intelligent. So can we say that we human beings are instinctive intelligence or intelligent instincts? Or can we say that we are a little animal, a little angel? Something in between the two? And this meeting point, this cross section will decide whether this part or rather that part predominates. So I think you gave a very profound explanation. That means the emotional identity, the emotional ego of a person will decide whether he is an animal or an angel. Therefore we need to cultivate this emotional platform, to purify it more and more. Because otherwise the instincts will cast a shadow over our emotional identity.

(to be continued)