Good Association

I feel so fortunate to be here right now. Every where I turn, throughout the day and everyday I will see one devotee, and another, and another who is full of so many of the devotional qualities I am trying to develop: humility, tolerance, respect, sincerity, a serving attitude, an affectionate nature….

As I am realizing more and more, good association is so important! Even hearing about the devotees gives me some inspiration. About a week ago, Srila Gurudev showed a couple of slideshows to the devotees gathered for morning darshan: first of some recent pictures Hasyapriya Prabhu had brought from China, depicting the glorious preaching activities of Yudhmanya Prabhu, and then of a collection of pictures showing the activities of our devotees from all around the world. When the slideshow had finished, Srila Gurudev told us he had wanted to give us some “enlightenment.”

As Ashram Maharaj pointed out in the morning class he gave a short while later, when we are given a glimpse into the serving lives of our god-brothers and sisters going on so gloriously in every corner of the globe, we will be inspired and also feel the need to look at ourselves and ask: ““What am I doing?! And how am I doing?” It’s like a wake-up call: “I need to be doing more service, I need to be cultivating my devotional qualities, I need to try a little more.”

And when we have the closer, physical association of higher devotees, we will feel this even more. In higher association, I have the opportunity to see the mood and qualities of higher devotees. This helps me to recognize my faults, and also increases my desire to remove them, improve myself and make spiritual progress. As Srila Gurudev says in Affectionate Guidance, higher association gives us spiritual hankering:

When practising spiritual life, doing what we call sadhana, at that time it is necessary to have the association of the saintly devotees. Through that association, regard grows within, and hankering arises.

Away from the association of devotees, it is easy for me to begin to think that I am full of so many devotional qualities. But here, surrounded by higher devotees, it becomes clear to me that by comparison, the depth of my faith, my humility, my tolerance, respect and so on – is very shallow.

Here, in the association of Srila Gurudev and his closer associates, friends and disciples, I cannot but realize how small my connection with Srila Gurudev is; I cannot but realize how meagre and lacking I really am, and I also cannot but aspire and try to make some spiritual improvement. In Sri Guru and His Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaj gives the example of approaching Mount Everest. From far away, I will only be able to see the highest peak of the mountain. But if I want to approach Mount Everest, I “must pass through so many closer mountain peaks” and in doing so, I “cannot avoid discovering the name and characteristic of other peaks surrounding Mount Everest.” Similarly, here, at Srila Gurudev’s lotus feet, I have the opportunity to learn about the “name and characteristic” of those devotees surrounding him.

And this process is so essential for my spiritual progress. These devotees have what I don’t have, and by my association with them, I have some hope becoming a little more like them. Srila Sridhar Maharaj advises us to “…approach the devotees for faith. They are like many pillars of faith.” Here, I am able to see the example of devotees like Sripad Ashram Maharaj, Kum Kum Didi, Hasyapriya Prabhu, Trivikram Maharaj and so many others, and I can only I feel “Here is faith, here is dedication, here is sincerity, here is humility, earnestness, honesty; here is a devotee.”

Having the association of these devotees also helps to increase the appreciation and faith I have for my Guru, because their spiritual qualities have come from their connection with him. Srila Sridhar Maharaj says that the higher devotees “stand with their heads erect, proving and declaring their experience of the Supreme Entity.” Similarly, these devotees surrounding Srila Gurudev prove and declare the greatness of our Gurudev, Srila Govinda Maharaj.

Last night Srila Gurudev spoke of the process for leaving behind our attachment for the mundane (“We are only here for a few days!”) emphasizing that it was only possible by dedicating ourselves to our Guru, who is “before us,” our connection to Krishna. Srila Gurudev then affectionately praised Trivikram Maharaj, speaking of their relationship and some of the exchanges they have had over the last few years. Srila Gurudev ended happily with: “Now his heart is given to Mahaprabhu!”

Trivikam Maharaj eagerly responded: "It is by your grace Gurudev!"

Comments

[Laksmi Kanti]

There you are Damayanti... writing in a charming way all your feelings and realizations... I think exactly like you... but you have something that we DON'T: the opportunity to be close of that high devotees, and do some service for them!. There is the key, you only need to serve them and you will be nourished in unlimited ways, I’m sure you already know it. Service opportunities are a blessing and you have the best opportunity of all.

Love,

Laksmi-kanti didi