Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 05.01.2013, evening, Kyustendil)

Question of Yadunath: Many times in our life we search for God, but we are not sure if He is there or not. We don’t know how to achieve Him. Other times we believe we have found Him, then again we have lost Him. Until we reach a moment when we aren’t absolutely sure if He is there or not. Are we on His map or not? Do we have a personal connection and can we get it back? Why are we always lost? Is there a way to find this living connection and just stay there? Even to such an extent that we do not die…

Swami Tirtha: It’s a complicated and long topic, but to start with the end, if you don’t mind. It is said – and this is a difficult message, so be prepared – ‘Die to live!’ We have to die in order to live. Of course I’m not a propagandist of a suicide cult. What does it mean? We have to die for ourselves, for our selfish identity and we have to be born on a higher plane of consciousness, where light, bliss, eternity, divine harmony, peace are there like a natural environment for us. Of course we are all on the map of the Supreme. He is omnipotent and His knowledge is all embracing, so He doesn’t forget about you. The main question is whether God is on our map, or not? This is the question that we have to ask ourselves: ‘How much I trust, how much I believe? How much this is real for me?’ Spiritual progress means that you will have a proper perspective of everything material – because there are some material aspects of our existence here, but more and more you will have a clear spiritual vision.

And you know this is not so complicated. Most of you here are ladies, what do you think, life is easy, or difficult?

Answer: Easy.

Swami Tirtha: You see, if I asked men whether life is easy, or complicated they would say: “Oh, it’s very complicated!” Because we have different approach to this beautiful experience called life. We live in the world of experience. We are not disturbed by the external things, but by the reflection of these influences over us. So, it’s very easy: everything returns from where it is taken. Body is taken from matter, it will return to matter. Your soul is taken from the divine platform, it will return to the divine platform. That’s it. Is that complicated? No! What is a little bit complicated is ‘how to accomplish that?’ But here and there we have some advice and guidance for that also.

So, real spiritual progress doesn’t mean that you have to acquire anything new. We only have to revive our original spiritual nature. Because we are not this dying, ignorant and suffering body. But we are eternal, fully cognizant and blissful souls. It is this transformation, this new identification that we have to acquire. It is there in you. Just revive this original consciousness.

Next question is ‘How? How can I revive my original spiritual consciousness?’ Just like the question was in the beginning: Which is the best way, the best approach to the Supreme? Whether these theoretical constructions, or loving worship, loving service? So, by performing spiritual activities we can help our divine consciousness to dominate.

Few years ago they made a research in France: how much time from one lifetime we dedicate to certain activities. Of course this was before this penetration of the internet and the computers, because now the majority of our time is wasted in front of the monitor. But as a historical reflection: for example searching for the keys – how much time do you waste in a lifetime? Guess! Depends on the person, but the average is three months. How much do you sleep? Well depends on the person. But 25-30 years we sleep. Half of your life you sleep! How much do you devote to reading? What is your guess? Eight weeks. And this was before the computers. So, if you make this calculation – how much time you waste with eating, and etc., etc. then finally you will see: ‘Wait a minute, although I live let’s say 60-70 years, I have real time maximum a few years, right?!’ The first twenty years are stupid. Last twenty years – stupid. Meanwhile we have to sleep and work and get money… and how much time can we devote to our eternal soul? Please, dear ladies, if you enter a beauty shop, you can have hundreds of meters of different ointments and lotions, and this and that to maintain your body. But how much ointment will you find for your soul?

So, we have to face our realities. Our attention is very much captured by the external things. We focus so much on the impermanent. Be aware of your time! Use your time properly. God has given intelligence to us. That means we have to use our time properly. So, devote more attention to your eternal soul.

This is the way to revive our original consciousness. Prayers are very important, meditation is very important. Service to God, going to the temple or having your home altar is very important. Dedicating at least one week from these eight weeks of reading to some holy scriptures is very important.

(to be continued)