Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 01.10.2017 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Sadhu-sanga has some requirements. Real sadhu-sanga has three qualities – do you remember? What are the qualities of real sadhu-sanga? First is the same line. Of course it depends on your vision – how broad your line is. The scale of your understanding of your line is from utter fanaticism to spiritual prostitution. In the beginning definitely it is very much suggested that you strictly try to follow the very basic instructions. Because otherwise if in the very beginning we run here and there, we will be perplexed, that’s for sure!

But remember what Shrila Shridhara Maharaj said: first you see the whole range of the Himalayas and then you will be positioned in one place. In the same way, ‘my line’ means this small little hut that you find in the Himalayas, but the whole mountain is also there.

And then the next question comes: how universal is my approach, how universal is our process. Have you ever thought of that? Whether bhakti is an Indian cult? Or a universal approach to the supreme loving reality? If it is an Indian cult, we have no chance. If it is a universal approach, then we might have a chance. Do you see the difference in the approach; what is your conception? We should develop both these visions at the same time, because whatever our teachers tell us, it’s so specific! And at the same time, if we cannot appreciate the beauty and the undoubted spiritual results of other processes or other religions, then we are blind. So we have to be very focused and very broad-minded at the same time.

You know, usually they say there are two kinds of people: one are the devotees and the other… Usually how they finish this sentence? The root form is ‘there are the devotees and there are the demons’. But in my understanding this is quite narrow-minded. Better we develop the vision that there are the devotees and there are the prospective devotees, future devotees. Because then you will have a broad field for preaching, to have new brothers and sisters, new friends in spiritual practice.

So ‘same line’ in one way means this – a little specific path, and at the same time we need to find the common platform with all those who try to search for God and try to develop spiritual consciousness. So, the first qualification is same line.

What is the second one? Second is: same mood. Same mood – this is specific! The home taste is the home taste. Sometimes you need to go to a restaurant. No problem, but then you return to the home taste. And when you are at a restaurant, you will appreciate: ‘Wow, such a nice cook! Such a fancy taste, this is like an orgy of enjoyment!’ But then go home and be satisfied with little.

So ‘same mood’ means this very specific taste coming from cultivation. It’s a churning  – churning the process, churning our life. In a home environment, we can say. And this is, no doubt, specific. So, this is the second.

And the third one is: higher association. Sadhu-sanga means a higher association. So: same line, same mood and higher association– this is real sadhu-sanga. Then you can take real advantage of that. And in such an environment it’s good to continue our studies, because then you will meet your beloved Lord.

Therefore sadhu-sanga is not only a tea-party. We have to have as a vision in our mind that this is something holy and we have to appreciate it like that. Krishna has sent these devotees to me to serve them, not to criticize them.

(to be continued)