Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2020 morning, Sofia)

A mystic experience is when bodily or mental functions are so much surcharged with divinity, with a more delicate perception, that they intermingle. We read “Hearing to see”[1]. “Man proposes and God disposes. Proposal is directed upwards and disposal comes down. The waves of suggestion and acceptance are all the Lord’s lila.”

We all know this proverb: man proposes, God disposes. But let’s stop here for a while. In the original sense, what happens – if man proposes, God disposes? Then everybody is satisfied. Because you have some ideas, but ultimately it will happen as He likes. So, what happens if man proposes and man disposes? 

Answer: Disaster. 

Swami Tirtha: Well, most probably not everybody is satisfied. But we, as spiritual practitioners and researchers, shouldn’t stop here. Let’s try another combination of these words: God proposes and man disposes – is that good? If He expresses His desire and you fulfil it, that is great. That is called devotional service, or spiritual practice. And for a long time we are satisfied with this version: God proposes and man disposes. ‘I am Your eternal servant’, right? But what is the fourth combination? 

Answer: God proposes and God disposes. 

Swami Tirtha: And if you are a really surrendered soul, this will happen. It’s not your own efforts, but you are an obedient instrument in His hands. Whatever He likes, the flow is coming so unobstructed through you, that ultimately He will fulfil it. Just like the jumping monk from yesterday’s story. He was so much surrendered that had no second thought. ‘It’s not me. I totally dedicate all my energy.’

Shridhara Maharadj says “Everything is the lila of the Supreme”. “In this world, a self-realized person who rejoices in the soul, does not accumulate piety by the performance of actions, nor does he incur sin by abstaining from duties.”[2] Amongst all living entities, from the highest life forms of the planet of Lord Brahma, down to the world of immobile organisms, he never depends on anyone for any personal demand whatsoever.”

So, a self-realized person is free. And we all know the wealth of freedom, I have noticed that. Because in Eastern Europe we have some ideas about slavery, right? Especially you have historical experience of that. Those countries who didn’t have that experience, they know nothing about the value of freedom. Therefore, to see the change of political systems is very good, because you know double as much about life – not only one version, but two. So in order to appreciate freedom fully, it’s very good to be under pressure. In material existence we all have some concept about this pressure of illusion. And one sign, one sure sign of illusion is when you think that you are very much right. Be very careful then! This is a very unhealthy symptom. 

So, a self-realized person is free. He doesn’t depend on anything or anybody – except one superior dependence, which is very sweet. You know, taking birth in this material universe, we have all started our karmic journey. Certain things we have to experience, we have to learn, we have to suffer. You cannot avoid that. We need to learn. And illusion is a bitter teacher. Vaishnavas are a little sweeter teachers. Yet if we are not ready to learn the lesson in the spiritual circles, then we have to learn it in the material circles – but that is more bitter, I tell you. So better we learn in the mild school. 

(to be continued)

1. A chapter from Centenary Anthology of Shridhara Maharaj
2.  Bhagavad Gita 3.18

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

(continues from the previous Monday)

Question of Paramananda: Many times we have said ‘enough is enough’. But very rarely we have actually changed the direction of our life. My question is, to what extent does it depend on our efforts to make this change – when we say ‘enough is enough’? 

Swami Tirtha: Once there was a master. And this master had a very determined, very obedient disciple. I think I’ve mentioned you this story from the Christian tradition, when the old fathers complained to the leader of the monastery: “You are partial to one young man”. Do you remember that story? Nevertheless, if somebody doesn’t know, allow me to repeat it. The father agreed: “Yes, my dear brothers, I am full of mistakes, yes”. Still he said “But come with me, let’s look around in the monastery”. So, they knocked on the door of the first disciple; he said: “Yes, I am here, what do you want?” “There is some service to do.” “Ah, right now I am chanting my rounds”. All right, they went to the next door. “Hey, there is some service, come.” The next one said: “Oh, I have received another service from my superior.” Et cetera, et cetera. Finally they came to the young man concerned. He was famous for his beautiful handwriting. They knocked on his door as well and said: “There is something to do.” And immediately that boy jumped out of the cell and ran to do the service. Then the seniors entered his room. He was also engaged in a kind of service, copying the Bible or some sacred texts. And what did they see? That he didn’t even accomplish the character ‘O’. He put it only half way, because when he heard there was something to do, he jumped. He didn’t even finish the letter. So, when the other seniors saw this example – that this young man was so ready to jump to do the service that he didn’t even accomplish one character – they asked forgiveness from the senior father: “You were right. Your love and affection for this young monk is approved. You love him properly and we also love him.” 

Remembering this story, there was another master and he had such a disciple. He was so ready to jump, to do anything, any service – always ready – so much so, that his spiritual master was ashamed. And he started to be afraid. He thought: ‘If by chance I tell him, “Jump into the well”, he will jump into the well. It’s dangerous. If I make a mistake, he will jump.’ But I think in this case no master will say, ‘Jump’. Because he knows that the guy is ready to jump. 

Yet what is the moral of this story, regarding your question? One part of spiritual success depends on our efforts. But I can say, a bigger part depends on divine mercy. As it is said, a cart cannot move on one wheel. Two wheels are necessary to move the cart. So, one is the human effort and the other is divine mercy. But if we analyze more and more: what makes our life work, what brings the success in our life? Ultimately, there is only one factor and this is the mercy, the divine power; it’s not the human efforts. We have to give whatever we can. But ultimately, it will happen – it will happen in the most perfect manner, according to the divine plan. 

Still, just like this very obedient and very surrendered disciple, we need to show our readiness. Krishna gives us the freedom to choose. But actually, there is only one good answer. And He will know what our choice is. So, if we want to improve our life, let’s show our readiness.

(to be continued)

(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)

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

(continues from the previous Monday)

Life is progressive. What is alive, it should grow, because growth and movement is a signal of life. And actually I can see here all-around these signals of life. How you improve nicely, with attention to the details, the standards of the ashram. How you try to improve the mood of the mission. After a certain time we achieve a level of fulfilment in that respect. Then we need to improve that readiness and care – we need to practice that on a higher, a more sophisticated platform. Just like Shrila Prabhupada said: “Now we have enough milk; let’s condense the milk”. Sometimes we can come to such a stage in our life, when we have enough milk; then we have to condense that milk.
In your lives you have achieved so much. Obvious success, some failures, but with some good realizations. You have enough. You are spiritually very wealthy. Try to condense your wealth. You know, milk is not bad, but it’s a little too light. If you start to condense it, then it becomes thicker. If you go on condensing it, it becomes sweet by itself. And when it’s condensed so much that it’s not liquid anymore, it becomes burfi[1] by itself.
So, I think this is enough. Enough is enough! What you have is enough. Try to make it more condensed.
Because you all have the chance to practice. We have an ashram! It’s such an incredible achievement. You know, it is said “Don’t be surprised if you find a little maya in the temple. It’s a much bigger miracle to find a temple in the maya.” Because this is a world of illusion and you find a place which is dedicated to the service of God Supreme – it’s a miracle by itself.
You have your malas… Once there was a candidate for becoming a devotee. He was attending a lecture, and after the lecture somebody of the initiated devotees was hanging his japa on the hanger for the clothes. And this new man said, “Ah, if I had a japa, I would never have hanged it like this!” Then the teacher told him: “The time will come when you will hang your japa.”
But enough is enough! Enough of the disillusioned spirit (настроение на премахнати илюзии)! Enough of laziness in the spiritual sense! Come to a better platform of your spiritual practices. You have all the good chances to improve your life. If we have the holy trinity of our faith – hari-guru-vaishnava, if we have God with us – tnen who is against us? If He is with you, who is against you?
Just recently I read one wisdom from a priest. He said “Well, if I try, even with God, I am not successful, I cannot make it. But He, even with me, He is always successful.” It is so simple. If He is with us, what is missing? What else do we need? Guru – if somebody is not satisfied with God, then he will receive a guru – to learn to be satisfied with God. And we have a nice sangha. Sangha makes it alive. Whatever we have learned theoretically, we can put it into practice in a good sangha.
So, everything that is necessary for our spiritual practices, we have it. But enough is not enough! Please go on, try to find more treasures. Share, give it to others, and then you will be supplied. Help others to realize their own spiritual origin – it is a service to humanity. And also it is a service to the source of all the living entities. Because in this way, the energy that somehow, by the influence of illusion, separates itself from the source, finds the way back home, back to Godhead. Krishna is satisfied if more of His energy is directed back to Him. This is our humble offering and service to help these estranged energies to return to their original source where they do belong.

(to be continued)

1.  Indian sweetmeat made of condensed milk

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

(continues from the previous Monday)

So, enough is enough! Enough of collecting material stuff – this is the version of a spiritual person. A materialist will try to collect and be satisfied. A spiritual person doesn’t want to collect and is satisfied. What about a bhakta? A bhakta is a third type. Not a materialistic person; but he is not satisfied with not collecting things. He is a kind of spiritual, but still dissatisfied. So, I told everyone, beware. This is a very dangerous process. You cannot accumulate all the possessions of the world, and you cannot be satisfied.
A devotee is a very special type. He wants to collect all the treasures possible. And is ready not to be satisfied. Enough is enough. My search for happiness – enough of that. My collecting material stuff – enough of that. My collecting spiritual achievements – enough of that. Then what do you want? We want a beautiful version of reality.
In the Gita it is said that a yogi is satisfied with what he has achieved. Are you satisfied with what you have achieved? That’s a tricky question. Because if you say: “Yes”, then I will say: “Ah very nice, then you just go and practice your yoga”. If you say: “No”, then again you will hear “All right, then practice your bhakti”.
But you have to be very careful about this ‘enough is enough’. It’s a spiritual attitude. We are not chasing after spiritual achievements. Enough, enough of that collection! But we are searching for something else. A more refined, a more delicate search. And from that it’s never enough. Why? Because it is not our satisfaction, but it is the satisfaction of the Divine Couple. And if you ask Govinda: “Did You have enough?” So-so. Or if you ask Shrimati Radharani: “And what about You? Did You have enough?” Well, sometimes when they are in an angry mood, the gopis will say: “We have had enough of this whole affair!” But basically, Beauty and Love want more, more and more of each other. So actually this is the original source of this totally impossible, unquenchable thirst of the human soul. Why do we want more? Because originally Beauty and Love want more and more from each other. Krishna wants to show more of His beauty and Radhika wants to embrace more of that beauty in a loving manner.
So, the ultimate version of ‘enough is enough’, is ‘enough is not enough’. We have heard from our masters that even one drop of divine mercy can inundate the whole universe. First you might think that this is a nice poetic expression. But actually we should understand this very deeply, very profoundly. Because one drop of spiritual essence is incomparably greater than the whole material universe – it’s just a different dimension. And it is very much true that one drop of that divine mercy can liberate, inundate and save the whole universe.
So, one drop is enough. But are you satisfied with one drop? Therefore I say we have to be very careful about this expression ‘enough is enough’. Because on the material plane it’s an unquenchable thirst; on the neutral platform, this is true; but on the plane of positive and progressive immortality, the next version is true – ‘enough is not enough’.
All right, but where am I in this great picture? How much percentage have I preserved from my original purity? The nature of my soul – how much is it revealed? Where is my spiritual identity? How much do I act according to body, according to matter, and how much do I act according to spirit? Where is the focus of my vision? If I examine myself – not theoretically, but truly myself – well, there are certain achievements and there are certain shortcomings. I have lost a lot in this lifetime. But I have also gained a lot. So, if we make the balance of our life and it is still positive, on the spiritual side, then we are fortunate.

(to be continued)

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

I feel honored to be here with you. It’s always a good start of a new year to come here and to celebrate together. Once there was a lecturer; there was a big hall full of people and the people were full of expectation. And this very world-famous lecturer came and told the audience: “You are so great, what can I say?” Of course everybody was very satisfied. I can only repeat his message: “You are so nice, what can I say?” Are you satisfied?

Yes and no. Usually this is the situation in life – we are halfway satisfied and halfway not satisfied. It is said, enough is enough. But, you know, the mood, the emotional surcharge for this remark is rather negative. If you fight with someone whom you love… because usually you don’t fight with someone whom you don’t like, right? With an outsider you behave very nicely, as a first-class gentlemen and gentlewoman. But with a dear one you give yourself as you are. So, when you fight with someone and you had enough of his or her arguments and of your own arguments, then you say “Enough is enough! I cannot tolerate your behavior anymore.” Do you know this mantra, ‘Enough is enough’? 

But why should we waste our time with such material activities? ‘Enough is enough’ means you want to read your own story, you are not interested in the version of others. Let’s turn this sad story of egotism. And what happens if you are a spiritual person and you will say ‘Enough is enough’ in a very positive manner? When you are fully satisfied, when it’s not the end of your nerves, but it’s a beginning of a new chapter. 

Life is a progressive process. I was just thinking, when you start your journey, everybody is so nice, so innocent and pure. And for a long, considerable time you can maintain your original purity. But then, slowly-slowly some dust starts to accumulate on you. You make your first mistakes, you have your first ambitions and slowly-slowly this dust accumulates over your heart. Still you are young and attractive, but no longer as pure as a child. And then, later on, if you continue your life journey, the original innocence keeps decreasing and the accumulated dust keeps growing. Enough is enough! We have had enough of the dust accumulated over our hearts. We need to reestablish this original purity of the heart. So, if a spiritual person would say, ‘Enough is enough’, it has a completely different meaning. 

One main urge in life is to acquire. If you don’t have something, you might think that you are dissatisfied because you don’t have it. Then you start to collect things, and now you have, but the contentment is still missing. So, it is not the possessions that make you satisfied. I think this urge is a cosmic principle. We are like a black hole – sucking all that is possible and still not satisfied. If you ask a black hole “Are you satisfied, my dear?”, not even an answer comes. Even an answer cannot escape that intensity of gravitation. 

Enough is enough! Because we know the spiritual cosmography. One end of this energy channel is a black hole, sucking in; but what’s on the other end? It must be a white exit, a source. A container is filled up, while a spring overflows – that’s the difference. So don’t act as a black hole, sucking all the energy, all the information, all the everything that you might possess, and still not satisfied – everything is just disappearing inside. And I don’t say: become a white hole, a white spring – because maybe it’s not for us. But worship reality like this! Because if we worship the ultimate truth as a white source of everything, then it’s a beautiful reality. 

So, enough is enough! Enough of collecting material stuff! 

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 13.05.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

As we discussed yesterday night, many are attracted to the home comfort, the home feeling of a small circle. But if people are attracted to a small circle and are ready to join, then it will become a big circle, right? And then you will say “Oh, it’s not the same mood anymore. It’s not a small circle, it’s a big circle. Why are others coming? It’s not a closed circle anymore.”

But wait a minute. You have also joined, somebody has accepted you. And now you want to close the door in front of others? “Sorry, with you we are too big a circle, so you are excluded from the nectar.” Sorry, you cannot do that. Then how to maintain the same mood that was so charming for us that when we entered this room for the first time, we said “Wow, what’s happening here?!” Our duty is to maintain that mood. And if we have enjoyed the benefit of joining this mood, this circle, we need to open this circle to all those who want to taste the same nectar. 

In the beginning, we are on the receiving side. Why? Because we come from the desert of material life. We are full of absence. Therefore, we need to fill up this vacancy that is inside. But later on, we have to stand on the other side, which is the supplier side. And if you want to enjoy the same mood that you have been receiving, try to supply others with it. Then you can enjoy the same mood, but on the other side. It’s sweet to receive, but the wise say it’s sweeter to give. 

And it’s not the complicated philosophy that will convince anyone to search for their own individual spiritual perfection. We cannot catch the supreme intellect with some intellect. Just remember these good friends of yours, the gopis. They are not satisfied with some theoretical meditation. They want something real. We also need something real. A personal encounter. To join the divine presence of the Supreme. When you sit in front of Him. ‘You and me. Me and You.’ Show others what you have found. 

From the goswamis, Jiva Goswami was the philosopher. He had written 400,000 verses about philosophy. And what is the essence of his teachings? It’s not the Bhagavat Sandarbha, it’s not the Tattva Sandarbha, it’s not the philosophical treatise. But we can say this is the essence of his teachings: Krishna Prema Mayi Radha. Radha Prema Mayo Hari.

So, what is the essence of your existence? What makes you live? This treasure and this secret please show to others. Make this ashram a focus of spiritual energy. So that all those who come with empty hands and thirsty souls, they can find the treasures and the nectar to fill up their needs. Be smart. Be intelligent. And pray. If you do these three things, you will be successful.

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 13.05.2019 morning, Sofia)

Recently I noticed something happening to the devotees in general. Because many times we discuss progress and levels and achievements in spiritual life – how to measure the progress, which levels to achieve, what kind of powers you can have, what qualities to develop. And recently, in the last one or two years, I noticed that, I cannot say it in other words, but a kind of harmony and a kind of resonance has emerged. 

I think we discussed siddhis many times. And during the excursion Mohan had some questions to me. The first was: “Can you teleport things or not?” What can you say to a kid? I said: “Yes, sometimes I can. But, you know, I don’t want to disturb people, therefore I don’t use this power.” And then he was smart enough to have an explanation for himself. “Yeah, because otherwise people would be afraid, therefore Maharaj is not doing it.” He was satisfied with that. 

But he had another question. “Can you enter the body of others and influence or control them?” I said: “Yeah, I’m trying, but the control works very weakly.” But then I added “You know, if you love somebody, you always carry him in your heart. That means he is always with you.” And I think again he was happy with this. Then I asked Prema: “Hey, Prema, what kind of movies is this kid watching?” Because I’m sure he’s not reading the shastras to come up with these mystic powers.

But actually, his questions considered the siddhis, the mystic powers. Teleportation is of secondary importance, but to enter the system of another person and to control them – I think this is our life. Because this is what we expect – that Krishna will enter our system and He will control our life. This is what we are waiting for. In this way, somehow I understood that this need for mystic powers or the interest for mystic powers is in the air. 

And now back to my observation: I had seen that in the last few years some kind of mystic resonance is manifested. Sometimes devotees start to better understand my thoughts. I cannot say that I start to understand you better, because I’m very weak in these mystic powers, but I see some development here in you. And sometimes this is so practical, that the type of prasadam I was thinking of comes on the table. Sometimes this is really like a direct feedback; other times it’s much more subtle – same topics appear, we start to discuss the thing that is on my mind. Or the old friend or a devotee that we discuss about will appear. Also I think there is a very mystical experience in the Pech ashram now, there is a big development. Because all of a sudden all the energies and all the support and all the needed help is just rushing to the ashram. Outsiders are offering their help.

And actually, I had this bhajan on my mind, “Krishna Prema Mayi Radha; “Yes, maybe at the end we can sing this.” But I didn’t have the chance to integrate it into the program this time. Maybe you remember when we discussed that in the body there is too much tamas and very little sattva, but in the intellect, there is more sattva and less tamas. And there I wanted to mention: all right, let’s jump to a very divine topic – how much Radha-bhava is there in Krishna and how much Krishna-bhava is there in Radha? But I did not. Because I can only talk about birth, diseases, old age and death. Still you came up with the essential topic. And I am sure that this was another magic experience, mystic experience – to invite Jiva Goswami from 500 years and Goloka Vrindavan to join us here.

So, many times I’ve told you that you’ve got a secret here. It’s not necessary to do something else, just do what you do, cultivate what you have. Those who have the feeling, they will have the resonance. And the greatest treasure for this lifetime, jivane-nidhane, is to somehow achieve Radha-Govindaji’s shelter. 

(to be continued)

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 12.05.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Don’t let people die in bodily consciousness. Because for a materially-minded person, death is an utter loss. For those who have a little shaky faith, this is some loss – some gain. But for those on a realized platform, death is no loss, it’s all gain. It’s a gate, and it’s not a dark gate, it’s a bright gate that they easily cross.

So, you are invited to life eternal. Don’t believe in death, it doesn’t exist. Existence exists. 

All right, but then you can say “I like these ideas, still the fear is with me, what can I do?” Then, as a conclusion, I can tell you one story about the ancient times, when the rishis, the most elevated intellectuals of the time, met Brahma, the Creator, and they inquired, they asked: “Oh, it’s such a complicated picture, there are so many different aspects and personalities. Can you please tell us, who is God Supreme, who is the boss here?” Second question they had: “Everybody is afraid of death; but who is that person from whom death is afraid?” That’s a good question, isn’t it? “And tell us also, please, who is that by knowing whom everything is known? If we know only this one thing, everything is known.” Again, a very good question. You see, they were really wise to have such good questions. And finally, the fourth question was “What makes the world go round?“

Who is God? Who is the enemy of death? Who is the ultimate knowledge? And what makes the world go round? Well, if somebody would ask you these questions, probably you would start a very long, detailed explanation. While Brahma gave a mantra. I won’t tell you this mantra, but I will explain. He said: “The answer to your first question, who is God – it is Krishna. The second question: who is the fear for death – this is Govinda. What should be known – Gopijan, the Lord of the gopis, the Master of the gopis. And what makes the world go round – it’s not money, no; swaha, sacrifice.”  

So, if we pay attention: who is the Supreme? Krishna. Krishna is the God of love, Krishna is all-attractive. Try to understand this beautiful concept of the Supreme – that He is so attractive, so beautiful that He attracts everybody and everything. The enemy of death, the fear for death is Govinda. Therefore Govinda is in the centre of our worship. Because we have committed ourselves that we shall overcome death, right? Therefore, we need to make good friendship with this Govinda, because He can help us. What is the best knowledge, by knowing which everything is known? This is Gopijan, or Krishna in relationship with the gopis, the cowherd ladies. So, what does it mean? If you understand divine love, then you know everything. There is nothing else to be known. All else is secondary to this topic. If you understand something about this, you will know everything. And what makes the world go round? It’s swaha, sacrifice. So, if you want to establish your connection with God Supreme – do sacrifice, swaha. If you want to overcome death or any limitation – do sacrifice, swaha. And if you want to understand the best knowledge, then do the proper sacrifice. This will help us overcome death, overcome limitations, overcome the darkness – everything that is non-real. And then we can come from the unreal to reality, from the darkness to light and from death to eternity. 

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 12.05.2019 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Many times we say, ‘Let there be eternal light for the dead’. Other times we speak about enlightenment as a spiritual goal – again connected to light. Yet in most of the cases we compare death to darkness.
Today we have been to an excursion to a very nice place, near the river Erma. There was a tunnel and this was like a spiritual demonstration of our topic today. From the bright side you enter into something very dark and very long, you don’t see anything. You notice some light at the end of the tunnel, very far, a small little bright light. And also when I entered, I saw that somebody was waiting there, on the other side. Really it was like that!
But you know, we are living in the 21st century. So, many of us have taken out our phones and turned on the light ‘I want to see in the darkness’. You don’t focus at the eternal light on the other side of the tunnel, but you light your small little candles.
You know, you wants to show the sun to a blind person, who is living in a cell, never going out of this cell, living in darkness. And then you say ‘Come, come with me, I will show you the light, I will show you the sun”, he says “Alright, I will bring my torch”. Or if this is an up-to-date story – “Alright, I will bring my phone”. Then you say “There’s no need for that”. It’s so difficult to believe that there is an eternal light waiting for us.
And as a beautiful mantra from the Upanishads[1] say: That is purnam, that is complete; and this is also complete. We originate from this eternal purnam, the eternal complete whole, divinity. Our soul shares this quality – so you are an eternal soul, don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid of the transition. The first stage of life is birth, the second is growth, the third is reproduction, the fourth is staying for some time, the fifth is decline and the sixth is decay. It’s always going on. Don’t be afraid of these changes. Because your body is a perfect instrument to achieve your spiritual goals. It is an imperfect instrument to achieve your material goals, but it is the very best instrument to achieve spiritual ideals.
Why? Because your body is penetrated by energy channels. There are 72,000 channels. And when the soul prepares to leave the body, when you come closer to your last moment in this body, then, in a fortunate case, the tip of the heart starts to shine, starts to glow. And this light coming from the tip of the heart will illuminate one special channel, which is connected to the top of the head. There is a mystic exit, entrance and exit, at the top of the skull. And if you have reached a realized standard of your spiritual practice, then you will exit through this channel from the heart to the top of the head, I mean the soul will exit this body. This is the path of light. And then, through this mystic gate, exit of the body, you will follow again the same direction of light. And through the cosmic Sun Door you can enter into eternity.
This is our goal – so that at the last moment your heart is enlightened, it shows light on this special channel, leading to the top of the head; then, through this brahma-randra you can exit and follow the path of light; and then, through the Sun Gate, you can enter eternity. Krishna says “Those who come to Me, they will never return”[2]. So, once we reach perfection through this enlightened path, there is no return. If we didn’t learn our lesson, then we have to return. Therefore, our hope and our commitment is to follow this path of light, divine light. Actually, we are invited in a divine contract to counteract death, to overcome death. And the more we realize that we are not the impermanent body, but eternal souls, the more convinced we are in this spiritual ideal.
Please help others to also realize this very simple fact – that we are not a decaying body, but an eternal soul. You are not a pile of decomposing proteins, but you are a spiritual spark that is destined to find its way back home, back to Godhead.

(to be continued)

1.  Shri Ishopanishad, Invocation
2.  Bhagavad Gita 8.15; 15.6