Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 08.01.2017 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Initiation is one of the sacraments of our tradition. This is like a seal on our life that before we were living in one manner and from now on we live in a different manner. Many people think that initiation is the end of the story. But actually initiation is the beginning of your spiritual journey. So, please, be very attentive.

This day is a special occasion for you, when you can come very close to your spiritual identity. It’s a beginning of a new life; so I think this is a good opportunity.

Once I had a very intensive day. Our ashram moved to a new place, and after packing and rushing and doing all day, in the afternoon I had a little time to chant. There was a beautiful sunshine entering the temple-room. And that day my chanting was, I hope, blessed. Because then I had a special prayer connected to my chanting: ‘Please my Lord, always keep me in the company of the devotees!’ So, I tell you this secret now: if you have special desires, just put these desires on the waves of your chanting.

Initiation also means responsibility. You are responsible not only for your own selves. Those who join the group of devotees, they are responsible for the mission that they start to be part of. And also we should become responsible practitioners of this beautiful chance of meeting the supreme Beauty and the supreme Love in our hearts.

Welcome all of you in the school of bhakti-yoga! The blessings of the Divine Couple should follow your steps! In this way this day of fasting, Ekadashi, is not simply a victory of spirituality over illusion, but this is the grand victory of divine love.