Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 24.06.2017 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

What makes the lotus flower – these are the petals. So let’s check what are the petals of the lotus flower. What are the petals of the lotus heart? Let’s see what are these petals and which type of human behavior or mentality is dedicated to each. It is distributed according to the directions.

So what kind of human behavior would you dedicate to the eastern petal of this lotus? This is dharmic behavior. It’s very positive. I think we can agree it’s good if on the eastern petal of your heart lotus dharma is there! It’s a good beginning.

Then comes the next petal – the south-east petal. What is there on the south-east petal? Well, the sacred tradition dedicates sleep and slumber there. This quality is definitely with us. Maybe dharma is not so much manifested, but this one is in my heart!

Then what is there on the southern petal? Even worse – this is the cruel intention. Maybe we started in a wrong direction? We started with dharma and now we end up with cruel intention?! Wait a minute!

Then what happens in the south-west petal? Actually it is the sinful desires. All right, let’s jump quickly to the western petal. A little better – this is the desire to amuse yourself. At least it is not so sinful. North-west?

Answer: Devotion to the Supreme?

Swami Tirtha: Uh! Well, in a purified manner it is possible, but on the basic platform this is the sexual desires. If we take the erotic principle as an approach to the Supreme, then it is the higher grade of that, but basically this is the erotic desires.

And what is there on the northern petal? Actually this is peace and contentment. Then on the north-east petal this is the knowledge and wisdom.

So, this is our lotus throne. Cruel intention, material desires, the desire to amuse ourselves – very light. Some peace, some knowledge is also there, some potential is also there. But what is on the perimeter of the lotus flower? It’s renunciation, sorry. And then what is in the center? As the part which contains the seeds, this is self-reflection. So this is like the starting point – to convert, to purify the lotus heart. If we have that ability to reflect on our real, ultimate identity, then we can turn all these, so to say, negative or a little distorted petals into purified petals.

You see, this list is not a fairy tale, it’s not something ideal – no, it’s real, it’s realistic. This is what we have in our hearts – good and bad mixed. But who will win? Which side will win – this is the question. And sometimes we can lose one battle. But we have to win the war.

And this starts from self-reflection. Who am I? A very basic question. Nevertheless, many times I like to ask this question to people. Once there was a nice circle of friends and everybody had to give an answer. Usually people give very obedient answers, they say: “I am a soul”, “I am a human being”, “I am a searcher.” But at the time there was one young man – soft, pure, really like an angel. And when it was his turn, he said: “I’m a wild animal.” I was surprised a little bit. “I’m a wild animal!” – although he had such an angelic face! But then I asked: “And is it possible to tame him?”

If we are realistic – we are like wild animals inside. And sometimes all this stupidity overcomes us. This is when we lose one battle. But ultimately we have to win the war. So by the mercy of divine attention, by the potential that is given to us and by the blessings of pure devotees, this should be possible.

But how can we be satisfied with self-reflection! Because that means the story begins and ends with us. We should mention at least one other topic beyond ourselves. So we should start with self-reflection, but we should continue our search.

From these directions we could understand that the west is for amusement. And this is what happens in the West – amusement is an industry. In the South some very mixed behaviour is there – some violence, some bad intention – so it’s quite passionate. In the North we find some peace, some contentment, sometimes mystic powers. And in the Orient we find dharma, we find a good orientation.

(to be continued)