Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 06.01.2018 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

We need to follow the eternal path. But really, how to find such a path? This question has been with humanity for the last 5000 years. In the Mahabharata this question is also given: ‘What is to be done? If you want to achieve perfection, what to do?’ And it is suggested: mahajano yena gatah sa pantha[1] – “Follow the path of the great souls, or follow the path of the angels”.

Therefore we need examples. And our prime example is our spiritual master. From him, through him we can learn a lot about spiritual practises. And as we are very positively and very harmoniously connected to him, his ideals will slowly, slowly transfer to us and to become our ideals. This is a beautiful transmission. And more and more we shall realize that beyond the perishable body we are eternal souls. Beyond the limited thoughts we have eternal perfect consciousness. And beyond the miserable experience of life we are made of bliss. You are made of bliss! Somebody has to come to tell us this news. You are not born to die. You are made up of bliss. Your consciousness will be perfect if you realize that. And that will totally change your existence.

From life as a limited experience we can come to the perfection of existence. From the limited thoughts we can come to the prefect state of consciousness. And from the miseries of the limited life we can come to the eternal bliss of spiritual existence.

But now you might say: ‘These are just promises. Give me something now. You promise eternal life and this and that – it’s so far away. Give me something now.’ This is correct. But in order to achieve, to perceive something spiritual, we need to be active, we need to practise, to do. Miserable practise – miserable result. Strong and committed practise – then we will achieve something.

So, we need examples and therefore if we want to enter into deeper, deeper relationship with the Supreme, we need ideals who represent these relationships. By following the good example we can improve our standards. And beyond neutrality, servitude and friendship there is one next step and this is to establish a family relationship with God. See how much Christianity helped people to understand that there is a son of God and there is a God father – this is a relationship. We are also sons of the Supreme, small sons. But our teachers tell us something very, very special – that sometimes the devotees can become like fathers and mothers of the Supreme. Mother Mary, the mother of God – just think properly, the concept is there. When the meditation, when the readiness to serve is so strong that God will accept to come in your family. Alright, maybe He will not take birth as your son, but you can serve Him like this anyway. You can take so much care as a loving father or as a loving mother. Isn’t that beautiful? It’s a very intimate type of service. This is very selfless. And some say: ‘If it is possible to enter into such an intimate relationship with the Supreme, just to feel like His father, to feel like His mother – then this is our path.’

Also you can feel yourself as belonging to Him as sons or daughters. The relationship is the same. So try to cherish this idea, to enter into such an intimate relationship like He is a member of your family. You are ready to prepare His food. You are ready to arrange everything nicely around Him. You think ahead what He is going to do tomorrow. To prepare the clothes, to bring Him water to drink. It is possible to have that total and absolute caring mood. And then He will accept it, because the service attitude of pure devotees, pure souls is stronger than Him.

(to be continued)

[1] Mahabharata, Vana Parva, 313.117