Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 04.01.2020 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Question of Chakori: Before you have said that one year was for searching the treasures, then the next year was for sharing the treasures, and now what? Continue searching, continue sharing? 

Swami Tirtha: Well, there is an idea for this particular year as well. The message for the last year was: Help your inner growth. And for this year, maybe this is continued on a higher platform: “Let there be rising and enlightenment.” This is the motto for this year – let there be rising. When you wake up, how do you call that? Awakening – yes, this is it, correct. So let there be rising and awakening. This is the same message, only a little different. 

But you might ask: “All right, but who is to be awakened?” If we examine ourselves, I think we should start this process on ourselves, right? To awaken to a more profound, higher level of consciousness, a higher level of dedication. So far I had dedicated 99% of myself to the divine service; let’s come to a higher platform. But don’t be satisfied with only 1% growth. 

So, awakening – I think it concerns, first of all, ourselves. Shrila Shridhara Maharaj says that Krishna’s path is full of miracles. Do you see that? Sometimes yes, most times no, isn’t it so? If you are realistic, I think it’s like that. Sometimes you see some flashes: ‘Ah, that’s a signal, it’s there’. But other times we are blind to the divine reality. 

So let’s be awakened to a more profound vision of divine reality. We need a shift of paradigm. So far we have a paradigm of ourselves. But better we develop a paradigm of divine love. This new paradigm is based on love, affection. As it is said: “with a good sadhana you can achieve a very effective life, but with prema, you can achieve a very affective life, full of affection.” So, are you satisfied with your sadhana? To achieve a very effective life? Or do you want to be awakened to a new platform of spiritual reality? Where every step is a dance, every word is a mantra, every drop of water is nectar. I’d like to join this campaign. Will you come with me? 

So, let there be awakenment for this year. Don’t miss the miracles. They are just all around. Jiv jago, as Bhaktivinoda Thakur says: “Ah, sleeping souls, awake!”

(to be continued)