Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 09.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Friday)

As we started to focus on this symbol of the heart – the heart as a lotus flower – according to the cardinal directions there are different petals on this lotus flower of the heart. And there are different human behaviors or human tendencies, designated for these petals. I will tell you the direction, like east, west, middle, up, etc. and you try to identify what kind of feeling, what kind of tendency, what kind of human behavior you would designate to that petal. So, what kind of human behavior can we identify on the eastern petal of the lotus of the heart? 

Answers: Prayer. Virtue. Kindness. Humility. Worship. 

Swami Tirtha: Nice. What was your offer? Virtue. Correct, the virtuous behavior is there on the eastern petal. At least this is good. We want a pure lotus of the heart, right? So if we start with the eastern direction, this meritorious behavior is there. The next direction is southeast. What is there on the southeastern petal – any ideas? 

Maharani: Maybe persistence in virtuous behavior.

Swami Tirtha: The opposite – sleeping and slumber. So you see, this is not a fully purified lotus yet, it’s got some pros and some cons. But all right, if the first petal was something positive, the second petal was something not so positive, what about the third petal – in the south? 

Answers: Sin, passion, desire.

Swami Tirtha: Even worse – cruel intention is on the southern petal. But then what is there on the southwest, as we are going around? Actually you have already mentioned it – this is the sinful desires. And what is there on the western petal? 

Answer: All desires.

Swami Tirtha: Ah, very good! Amusement. Isn’t it fully describing the western society? We simply want to enjoy everything. We think that life is an enjoyment; and we are frustrated. In the east they say life is suffering and everybody is smiling. There is something wrong here. They know that it is suffering and they are happy about it; we hope that it is fun, but we are very bitter about it. So there is something that we have to correct here. Northwest? It is sexual desires. And what is there in the north? Actually it is said: on the northern petal there is serene peace. Shanti, absolute peace. Then we move to the orient again. So what is in the northeast? 

Kripadham: Virtuous desires. 

Swami Tirtha: Almost. It is knowledge and wisdom. Finally something! So far it was like a horror story, now at least we have some hope. And what is all around the petals? Around that lotus flower is the renunciation. And finally, what is in the essence? What is there in the stamen, where the seeds are? 

Answer: Nectar?

Swami Tirtha: Not bad, but a little more practically? 

Answer: Worship.

Swami Tirtha: No, that’s a little too high. It is self-reflection. Self-reflection. So if you try to imagine this lotus flower, what is all around it externally? This is tapasya, self-control, austerity, renunciation. What is in the middle: this is self-reflection – when you try to analyze, to understand yourself, you look into the mirror. And if we face the different directions, we shall find some good points, some difficult points and some neutral characteristics. Because, let’s say, sinful activities are obviously wrong. Sleeping is neutral; you need to sleep in order to wake up tomorrow. And there are some obviously positive – like knowledge and wisdom, etc. 

So this is our composition – there is both good and bad stuff, right? We can say that the instinctive part is reflected in certain petals, and the higher platforms of a human being, the more angelic side of a human being is reflected in other petals of this lotus of the heart. So if we are realistic and our self-analysis is proper, not in a dream state, then we shall see the good and the bad sides that we have. There is nothing wrong with having shortcomings. Because you are not accomplished angels yet. But one thing we do need – the desire to purify. I think this is hiddenly written on all the petals. 

(to be continued)