Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 09.05.2017 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

So, it’s very difficult to resolve problems of a relative platform on the relative platform. You make one step and then you create two other problems. Therefore practically there is only one solution – to come to a higher platform of existence. Everything is decided on the higher platforms. If you have a problem in body, then you can resolve it by the mind. If you have a problem in the mind, you can resolve that through the intellect. And if you have a problem in the intellect, you can resolve it by the spirit. If you are spiritually strong and healthy, then all the other levels of your existence should also harmonize sooner or later.

Therefore if we want to resolve the problems of material existence, we must come to the spiritual platform. What was the mantra for that? Aham brahmasmi – ‘I’m a spirit soul’. This is one duty of a spiritual practitioner – to realize his or her own self. To capture the conscious identity – ‘Who am I’? And if you had done that, then what will you do? ‘Oh, I have understood myself!’ or ‘I have captured my conscious identity’ – then what to do next? What can you do if you carry your soul in your hands? You can dedicate it as a flower offering at the lotus feet of the Divine Couple.

So, don’t stop half way: ‘I have captured my conscious identity.’ It’s not enough. Dedicate yourself. Bring this as a beautiful offering to the Lord. I feel that this is the real solution of any material problems, relative problems.

“O my dear lord, finally concluded the king, you are the friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all living entities. You are therefore equal to everyone, and you are free from the bodily conception. Although I have committed an offense by insulting you, I know that there is no loss or gain for you due to my insult. You are fixed in your determination, but I have committed an offense. Because of this, even though I may be as strong as Lord Shiva, I shall be vanquished without delay due to my offense at the lotus feet of a Vaishnava.”[1]

Therefore please, avoid this offensive mentality. How can we achieve that most properly? If you are frightened by the negative consequences of these mistakes or if you are fixed in the consequences of positive association? Well, usually we human beings learn from our mistakes. But fear is an instrument to control others. I would like to follow such a path which teaches me how to behave properly. Which doesn’t frighten me with the consequences of bad behavior, but which will teach me how to behave properly. Do you agree? Therefore we need to learn the golden rules of the Golden Age.

(to be continued)

[1] Shrimad Bhagavatam, 5.10.25