Sharanagati

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

(continues from the previous Friday)

It is said, to sit alone and meditate is good. If you have a partner for that, that’s better. And if we can glorify the holy name in a harmonious company, that is best. Together, right? And bhajan is not only a singing. Bhajan is your worship. I feel that you like the bhajan so much, you sing together, glorifying the Holy Name. But what is the upgrade of bhajan? This is kirtan. 

So, we have an instrument of inner control. Try to apply that. First, this is like control –  chanting the holy names – you wait for your peace of mind, you wait for your liberation. But if you keep on chanting the Holy Names, more subtle tastes will also appear. The inner purification of the heart, the heart intelligence will happen. And what was a big problem for you yesterday, today you will see it’s insignificant, it doesn’t hurt you anymore. Sometimes we want to see a great leap in our spiritual progress, although small little steps are maybe more precious. And slowly-slowly what is so important for you today, as a suffering or as a hope – because you cherish your sufferings – loses its importance. And other things start to be more important for you. You are not intent on discovering America anymore. Rather, you want to explore the spiritual sky – a much more interesting and inviting challenge. 

So please, try to apply this very subtle method to yourself. And if you become more compassionate due to this inner purification, then you will find a way to people’s heart. Sometimes our knowledge or our spiritual achievements help in that respect. Other times our failures help to approach, to understand others. Because if you don’t fail, you think that you will never fail. And you don’t understand how people fail. How is it that they cannot stop the wind? You think that you can stop it, although you never tried. Try! Fail! Be ready to take the trouble as well. But never lose the spirit. You can lose, but your mission should never lose. Your God will never lose. Your faith should never lose. „Declare it boldly: “My devotee is never lost“. You can lose a battle, but you should win the war. 

And why do we want to approach people? Once Gurudev asked us, “Why do we preach?” You know, these very simple questions are very challenging. ‘Because usually we do it like this, it’s a habit.’ ‘Well, because you are preaching, Gurudev, and we try to imitate you and we are also trying to preach.’ No. What kind of answer can you give to such a question? Difficult, simple questions are very difficult to answer. What is the meaning of your life? Who are you? What is your goal? Simple questions. Close to impossible to answer. So we tried our best to find the proper answer, but then Gurudev said, “Because Mahaprabhu told us to”. Therefore we want to find a way to reach people, to meet them, to associate with them, to help them come closer to their spiritual identity. You cannot be so cruel to let people around you die in bodily consciousness! Why don’t you tell them that they are spirit souls? Preaching is not that complicated. You don’t need to give a dry and boring philosophical discussion. No! Give a message. Because the more people take their share in the spiritual inheritance, the better it is.

(to be continued)