Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 29.09.2017 evening, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

 “The reasons of bad and detrimental activities are: kama[1], krodha[2] and ignorance. This is the reason of violence and all other mistakes. These influences might be weak, medium and strong. And they will bring the bitter fruits of ignorance and suffering.”[3] I think this part we all know. Have you tasted some bitter fruits?

“But what is the neighbour of strong peace? This is if we can renounce the opposite feelings. If we are strong in truthfulness, in this positive cultivation, that will mean that we can control our activities and the fruits of your actions. If we avoid stealing the property of others, then all the good qualities will appear. If we control ourselves by practicing brahmacharya, then we will be very brave, courageous. And if we don’t depend on the support of others, then it is very easy to understand the causes and the purpose of taking birth.”

You see, the cultivation of these ‘don’t do-s’ will bring very profound results. Mahaprabhu said that in order to practice spiritual life properly, we need three qualities: sincerity, determination and we have to be courageous. So if you want to achieve the highest thing, you have to be brave. It’s a jump into the darkness. But is it useful to jump into the light? There’s no risk there. Jump into the darkness – when you don’t know what will come.

Then you can say: “But, swamiji, this is material life! We jump, jump and we don’t know what is next.” Right, it always happens. You take one step and you don’t know what is coming to you. But what is the difference between the two jumps? In the material jump you are full of fear, because you are uncertain what will happen and this will bring you some apprehension. The spiritual jump into the darkness is also a very brave action, but it’s full of hope. ‘Wherever I jump to, it will be nice.’ It is full of hope.

The only thing is that we shouldn’t cross the magic circle drawn by our spiritual masters. So jump inside this circle. If you jump outside, then this is the fearful jump. It’s better we follow the rules of the game. This is the way to develop very profound good qualities.

And if we practice the ‘do-s’ that we should follow, it is said: “If we practice purity, then we shall be independent of the bodily impressions. And we should be able to avoid the bad association with others.” It shouldn’t mean that you don’t respect other living beings, but associate with their best parts. And you don’t need to agree or associate with their wrong parts – the mistakes or misunderstandings. These are like the external results of being strong in purity.

But the fruits of internal purity are very beautiful. “You will be able to see the essence in a very clear way, with a clear-cut view. Your thoughts will be very elevated. Your attention will be very one-pointed. And you will be qualified for self-control and atma-gyana, to know yourself.” I think these internal results of the practice of purity are very strong.

Next one: “If you are contented then you will reach the supreme happiness. From tapas a kind of purity will come – you can eliminate contaminations. And from this the perfection of your senses and body will come.”

But so far all this advice was focused on ourselves. ‘How to control my mind, how to practice purity, how to do this, how to do that?’ – the story starts and ends with you. But the next one says: “If we study properly the scriptures, then we shall meet our beloved God.” So, this is the proper cultivation of studies. It’s not that you will be clever; the result is that you will be embraced, you will meet Him.

And finally it is said: “If we are determined in meditation over Ishvara, then the full success of the spiritual commitment is provided.” So ishvara-pranidhanad va – with full dedication to the Supreme Lord all perfection will come. This is what we can say for the character of an apt candidate for yoga. Some laughter? You don’t say in unison: “This is my way, yes!” But we have to say it.

(to be continued)

[1] lust

[2] anger

[3] Readings from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali