Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 12.05.2019 morning, Sofia)

In life in general we have to think in processes. Meaning that we start from one point and we try to reach another point. We had started from the cage. We try to open the door of this cage. We need to identify the bird as well. And we need to help this bird escape from the cage. And not only escape, but fly with its own wings.

For this we need to observe the general way of religions and see the difference between the general religious practices and the spiritual process. Again, we need to start from somewhere and reach another destination. Because first we need a very basic education: how to live properly. And you know, we live in a very upside-down situation, culture and society, when we do things as a habit, as we are accustomed to do, and many times it’s the opposite as it should be done. For example, some people go to bed at dawn. You start your japa-walk and you see people going to bed to take their rest. Or other times, in a fortunate case, you take your morning shower and then you brush your teeth. It should be the opposite. First clean the teeth and then wash.

You see, we need a very basic education as well. Not only learning a very high philosophy, but the proper sequence of things. And why do we have to purify the body in the morning? In order to prepare for spiritual practices. If your bodily constitution is dirty, then what can you expect from your mind constitution? So, there is a natural sequence of things. 

In different ages, we need to acquire different qualities. What is the beauty of a baby? For example, he or she can pass stool and urine, but the parents are so happy: “The body functions right, he’s healthy.” It’s such a peace of mind! Yet if you are 20 years old and this is the only way you can make others happy, your parents will not be very happy. 

So, the beauty of young age is unlimited. For example, passion. If a young man is not passionate, then what’s the purpose at that age? But if an old guy is full of passion, that is not so charming. Then what is the beauty of old age? It’s not the wrinkles. It’s not the stick that you have to use for walking. What is the beauty of old age? 

Bhagavat Prasad: Wisdom.

Swami Tirtha: Correct. If we don’t acquire that quality, then there is not so much beauty in old age. 

So, in all phases, in all activities we need to follow the proper sequence. Therefore, after this very basic training – how to cleanse your teeth – we have to come to the moral standard of life. In most of the cases, religions or spiritual societies – yoga or other groups as well – they try to educate people in moral standards. Like trying to provide and help people to follow a good, a more sattvic lifestyle. But this is just like taming the wild animal. And actually this is not the ultimate goal of any religious process – to give some moral standards. You can have some morals without religious principles, right? But then, what is the purpose? Don’t stop here. Because sometimes, if we stop at the relative principles, there might be conflicts. Therefore, we need to come to the absolute platform, spiritual platform. This is param-dharma – which is beyond these basic rules, these sequences, beyond the moral standards and also beyond the intellectual level. 

The big jump is not from a simple human being to turn into a faithful person. The big jump is from a religious person, or a sadhana follower, to turn into a spiritual person, or an accomplished, realized person. This is the big jump. To turn a fool into an educated person is a duty of a school. To turn an educated person into a religious person, this is a duty of religion. To turn a religious person into a spiritual person is a duty of a spiritual process. And to turn a spiritual person into an accomplished person, this is a duty of realization. This is the path that we have to follow here – from the first steps, we have to come to the higher platforms of realization. 

So, I don’t want to say anything more about brushing your teeth. I don’t mind, do it as you can. Many times we have been discussing the moral standards: become a better person, follow a sattvic lifestyle, etc. But don’t stop here. This is not the end of the journey.

(to be continued)