I once knew a friend, a corporate professional with a lucrative salary, who confessed to drinking and partying while feeling an ever-growing emptiness with age. Despite owning a grand house and having substantial savings, he felt a sense of instability in life because his wife had chosen another man. He described himself as a ship without a rudder, confused about his goals and unsure about what would truly make him happy.
Gradually, with spiritual association and meditation practices, he discovered his Home State which was offering kindness and empathy to others, reading life enhancing literature, and daily yoga practices. When he genuinely served, or expanded his mind through study of good books, and lead a sattvic lifestyle of yoga and morning walk, he felt once again connected to himself. He had chosen to simplify his life. There was more awareness in his life now and that in turn lead to more stability and self-love.
Initially, he denied his suffering and used spiritual practices as a means to escape his pain and evade responsibility for his life. Yet, with consistent dedication, he learned to accept his broken heart and mended it through practices that guaranteed stability, clarity, and love, regardless of external circumstances. These three principles are not dependent on the external world; a decaying body and mortal relationships cannot provide us with stability. Clarity and love transcend the pursuit of mere mental pleasure.
Only a person who has satisfied his hunger can serve food to others. Similarly the more we spend time in meditation and feel loved by God, the more we can give love to this world. This creates a cyclical effect – we receive more love when we give without expectations, and we transcend our reliance on this ephemeral world when our source of shelter is beyond temporary relationships.
In our spiritual community, known as ISKCON, members begin to experience love beyond the confines of the body and mind by connecting with Krishna – the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as described in Vedic scriptures. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra helps spiritual practitioners feel loved, and dwelling in this space cultivates awareness or clarity. Through awareness of our separate existence from the transient world, we reside in a state of stability.
This is the embodiment of satcitananda – stability, clarity, and love in action. It represents the realization of the Home State or Brahman in the twenty-first century, reminiscent of the pursuit that inspired great sages of the past to renounce worldly attachments and seek self-realization.
Does the Heart Space guarantee immunity from suffering?
No! But it offers a sanctuary.
Lovers of God also suffer. No one is spared! Yet there is a distinct difference. Krishna, the Supersoul residing in our hearts, guides and nourishes us, providing a deeply fulfilling Home-State experience. As we endure external suffering, just like anyone else in the world, we undergo a spiritual transformation. The difference lies in being loved by a caring parent even when the world throws terrible surprises at us.
To be continued…
