Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 10.05.2018, Sofia)

Sometimes we think that we understand something about the importance of our spiritual practices. I doubt that we can fully and deeply understand it, but we need to come closer to this reality. I think we all agree that the ultimate things are always very simple: you are a spirit soul, you belong to God and there is a living and loving connection between you. Is it simple? Yes. And is it easy to accomplish? Yes. Yes, don’t say ‘no’! Say ‘no’ to ‘no’! This is our philosophy – to say ‘yes’. Correct?

Answers: Yes.

Swami Tirtha: Thank you, you learn very fast. Usually, humans learn very slowly and forget very fast. Sometimes it takes 20 years to instruct somebody on one point, and in one moment he forgets it. But Krishna says in the Gita that “My devotee is independent of the general way how things happen”[1]. Usually things happen like this – we learn very slowly and we forget very fast. So, why not change this method? Why not be independent of the general way things happen? What is the general way in the Kali Yuga? Conflicts, misunderstandings, false concepts and also laziness in spiritual affairs – these are the basic characteristics of this age. Why not change the general ways? Why not learn fast and don’t forget? Why not be independent of the influence of the three gunas? Why not avoid conflicts? And not only avoid, but eliminate conflicts. You know, there are three types of people. One is the conflict creator, the second is the conflict avoider and the third is the conflict harmonizer. I think you don’t want to belong to the first class, to create more conflicts – it’s enough. It’s not enough to be an avoider, be a harmonizer. Radiate such a spiritual vibration around yourself, that harmony is automatically created around you.

We emanate waves. Because you are a soul, you emanate spiritual waves. If your consciousness is disturbed, you will emanate disturbed waves. Let’s purify our consciousness to emanate harmonious waves. So why not change the general way things happen? Conflicts, misunderstanding, false concepts and laziness in spiritual affairs – change that habit. You can practice your laziness – concerning material ambitions. You can enjoy your doubts – concerning your doubts. But you should eliminate your laziness concerning spiritual affairs. Small little sacrifice – eternal happiness.

So be independent of the general way of how things happen. How to gain this freedom, this independence? Sell your soul. But not to the devil. While coming here I saw a hotel, its name was Hotel ‘Devil’. Diabolic residence. I thought, ‘Wait a minute, who will take a room there? Hotel ‘Devil’ – who the hell will go there?’ Very strange invitation. But that shows the reality of Kali Yuga around – it’s diabolic. So we can say that there is diabolic disorientation, even concerning spiritual affairs. We must know what to avoid. If you forget about diabolic disorientation, you will end up in the Devil’s hotel.

And how to avoid this diabolic disorientation? We need divine orientation. Do you see the difference between diabolic disorientation and divine orientation? For the first you don’t have to work, it happens automatically. Illusion, forgetfulness, false concepts, conflicts – it all happens automatically. This is the general way things happen. But how to find our divine orientation? My humble suggestion is: try to find this in the Orient, not in the Occident. ‘Orientation’ comes from ‘Orient’. Really, this is not a joke. Proper orientation will come from the East. This is a place of wisdom, this is a place of light, this is a place of sacred tradition. Something very unique is preserved there. Prema-bhakti, for example, is not some Indian stuff; this is a universal concept of love of Godhead. Our faith is not an Indian cult. This is a universal link to the supreme reality. Try to find the light in the Orient.

So, let’s change the history of the universe. Why not? Let’s free ourselves from the general way things happen. Let’s find a favorable expression of our service mood. By the blessings of the holy name, the pure name will reveal itself. And all the other necessary realizations in spiritual life will come. So pray.

(to be continued)

[1] Bhagavad Gita 12.16