Sharanagati

(from a lecture of Swami Tirtha, 06.01.2019 morning, Sofia)

We bring our materially conditioned mind. We might project our material experience over the divine truths. It’s a mistake. Many times, Gurudev was teaching us about that as well – not through words, but through action. Many times when there was a discussion, we came up with some suggestions or solutions. And in most of the cases, he rejected them and came up with his version, which was a totally mind-blowing resolution, sometimes 108% against the topmost of our understanding. It seemed so illogical and useless, that most of the times we wanted to start to protest, but we knew that it’s no use. And then it turned out that he was correct. From that I understood: our level of understanding is a little bit different.
So we need fine-tuning, we need polishing of our understanding – and this is not only an intellectual understanding. Devotional life is not an intellectual enigma, it’s rather an emotional secret. We need a deeper, different kind of understanding, and this is the intelligence of the heart. If you love Krishna, you will understand more. Therefore, Shrila Prabhupada said, “Simply try to love Krishna”. It’s not necessary to over-complicate the whole situation. Because if you love someone, naturally he is part of your life. Or, if we are more fortunate, we become part of His life.
What about the condition of our mind? I don’t like to talk about this topic, because it’s very easy to trigger people with this. But what is usually the condition of our mind? It’s full of garbage. We have accumulated and collected so much stuff there, the vast majority of which is useless. And it’s not only the information that we have collected, but the emotional residue that we keep. When you make coffee and this residue remains, you throw it out, right? You don’t drink that part. Our mind is full of such residue. Previous impressions, our sufferings, our bad conditionings; you failed, you won, you’re full of fear, your hopes and dreams, unfulfilled mostly… This is what I call a totally corrupted condition of our mind, full of this emotional residue. Plus the problems that you have. ‘What about tomorrow? If my dream will come true? Money is coming and going, but in my case it’s more like going.’ Our mind is full of trouble, right? Where is your peace of mind? Only residue. And if you stir a little bit – all the mud will come to the surface, my dear! Fighting spirit and so much garbage is there. Then what to do?
I was living in Nandafalva. One day it was a beautiful hot summer day. And you know, sometimes on hot summer days storms appear. So this happened. I was in the garden, cultivating a little bit. Then all of a sudden I just looked up and I saw an incredibly great cloud was coming – huge like an ocean liner. Really, that was the feeling. I didn’t see the top of it and it was just coming towards me. I said, ‘Ah, very nice. Let’s try this. A nice experience, you know – to face the storm. Because we are devotees, right? With the spiritual power we shall overcome the forces of nature.’ It was approaching, approaching…. you know, my stamina was agitated and at the same time a little questioned. As it was a hot day, I didn’t have my shirt on, so I was waiting for the experience. Then first the wind came. It was so strong that it almost knocked me off my legs. All right, I had the fence behind my back, so I was still standing. But then the rain came. And it was just like whips. It was so strong and so smashing that I actually had to hide behind this fence, I couldn’t protect myself otherwise. Well, then I had to reconsider my stamina. And although I still believe in the power of the spirit, I try to appreciate the forces of nature more. Because before the wind came, a verse from Gita came to me, where Arjuna said, “Oh, it’s easier to stop the wind than to pacify the mind”[1]. All right, peace of mind is achieved; now let’s stop the wind. Well, I failed. Did you achieve this control of the mind?
But there must be a means to control our mind, to reject the garbage. To throw out the residue. To purify. I think we have a very convincing experience when we chant the holy names. If you can dedicate yourselves to this practice, you feel that the garbage is removed. Then something else will fill your mind up to the brim. All the troubles that you have, all the past miseries, all the future fears just disappear, melt in the waves of this divine vibration. It is suggested that we should have this feeling when chanting our japa individually. Sometimes you feel it, many times you don’t. But when we come together, then you can feel it very profoundly.

(to be continued)

1.  Bhagavad Gita 6.34