Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 11.05.2019 morning, Sofia)

(continues from the previous Monday)

Question: My question is about spiritual violence. I’m just wondering whether we can say that spiritual violence is when we say something which is completely true, but the circumstances and time are not the right ones. Kala-patra-desha – time, circumstances and place. I remember, Gurudev, you say that sadhana is not the goal, it is like the means to achieve the goal, and I was wondering how can we avoid spiritual violence? If it is not in the right time and within the right circumstances, how not to become dogmatic – when the rules are more important? In this respect I remember your story about that god-sister of yours, who went to the bathroom to follow the rules instead of cooking.

Swami Tirtha: Well, all of a sudden something comes to my mind, concerning what we discussed before – how teachers instruct people. There was one very elevated saintly person, Krishnadas Babaji, in the times of Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Shridhara Mararaja – so he is quite recent. He was a supremely great kirtaniya and his main focus was on the holy names. But whenever devotees approached him for inquiries, he always had only one answer: “Hare Krishna”. Whatever you asked, this was his answer. Is it fanatic? Maybe he is not considering kala-patra-desha? Or he is instructing in a very profound manner?

Because the many questions sometimes disperse our attention. If we are focused on our spiritual practice, on our sadhana, as you said, holy name as a sadhana, then you don’t have too many diverse directions. 

But for example, Namamrita, you work in a Vet clinic, right? So, if an owner of a pet come to you and ask: “My favourite dog has such and such problem. What do you suggest?” And you say: “Oh, Hare Krishna,” I doubt that it would work. So, we have to be a little clever how to apply the proper answers according to time, space and circumstances. But ultimately, as we discussed, the cure for the basic material disease is the holy name.

So, if we can draw the attention of people to this very important message – in any manner – that might serve their benefit as well. Therefore, what I have learned from my masters is that they tried to represent this process in such a charming manner that automatically everybody wanted to follow. Is that spiritual violence? Yes. So much so, that there is no escape. I think that love, affection is the greatest violence – because you cannot resist. If somebody fights with you, you will resist. Fight will bring fight. But can you resist if somebody is just tenderly, with all attention, directly touching your heart? Can you resist that? 

You know, in violence we have to be intelligent. Why should we use very brutal methods of violence? Use the best, the most polished method of violence; it’s called affection. Irresistible. 

Question: It happened to me that I have experienced a very brutal violence. At that moment I totally forgot about Krishna. I feel that connection is still there from His side, but from my side I have lost this connection. And even though I chant, I cannot feel my part of the connection. What to do to restore this connection? 

Swami Tirtha: You are fortunate. Because if you wouldn’t have a living connection to Him, you wouldn’t have such a question. So, it is there. And I think very soon it will reveal itself more and more. Usually, our attachments and weaknesses of the heart prevent us from experiencing this free flow of divine trust. But as long as we have at least this desire that we want to re-establish our connection to the Supreme, practically that connection is there. Otherwise you wouldn’t be concerned about it. 

There are dry moments. This is when our commitment is tested. And the other side are the blessed moments. So while we are here, in the world of dualities, don’t be surprised that even in spiritual practice sometimes we have a bright day, other times we have a bad day. But there must be some permanency. Because this is the way to approach spirituality – that we depend on the external conditions less and less and we develop the inner spiritual consciousness more. 

But I think this is a very honest, real experience of a practitioner: sometimes it happens, other times it doesn’t happen. The same with the bhajan – sometimes it happens, other times it doesn’t happen. Nevertheless we have to sing. And maybe something will reveal to us.

If Gaura Kishora das Babaji was ready to jump into the Ganges when he felt that the holy name doesn’t descend on his lips, what can we say? Where is the Ganges? But nevertheless, don’t give up. Never give up. This is our mantra: never give up. 

(to be continued)