Not long ago, I was sitting in Srimad Bhagavatam class when a young devotee asked the speaker: “You have been living in the temple for more than 30 years. What is your secret?”
His reply was very profound.
“I’m like a cow,” he said, laughingly. “Wherever you leave me, I will stay until asked to move elsewhere.”
Behind the answer was a deep meaning that only a few students caught.
Besides the guidance from spiritual teachers, it is equally important to look into our hearts and try to hear that small voice compelling us towards our calling. If we are honest with ourselves, carefully following instructions from our teachers, and sincerely desiring to make progress, these two – namely, the teacher’s instructions and the voice in the heart – will lead us towards the ultimate destination via the road specifically designed for us.
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.52 purport: A sincere devotee who follows the instructions of the spiritual master certainly gets direct instructions from his heart from the Supersoul.
One may ask: “How can I hear or trust the voice in my heart? All I hear is the mind!”
Think of the GPS navigation app on your phone when driving for a spiritual retreat with your friends. If you type the correct postcode, or, in other words, if you are clear about where you want to go, and then follow the guidance from the GPS voice, you will reach your destination. The friends who previously participated in the retreat and know the route will also guide you on the road, to ensure you don’t miss the exit on a highway if you don’t hear the GPS voice.
Begin by seeking the guidance of experienced teachers. By following their instructions and the method they practised to reach their goal, we will not only have a safe journey and reach our destination, but we will also learn valuable lessons while on the road.
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.31: O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree [vāñchā-kalpataru]. When ācāryas completely take shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the fierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on earth the method by which they cross, and because You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You accept this method to help them.
Ananta Gopal Das
13.07.2024
Bhakti Wisdom 