Understanding
Maharajji
Kripalu writes that the first of the seven steps
to God realization is: Understanding: understanding
the importance of human life and the futility of the
world.
What does this mean?
Maharajji
Kripalu explains that the happiness of the world
is illusory. Nothing can be achieved by indulging in
anger, lust, or greed. The so called “joys” of the
world are diversions, and all of them transitory.
Harder still is to practice non attachment. We have
the impression that our spouses or sons, sister or
brothers, are the objects of our true love. We falsely
believe as well that we receive love in return from
them. But our deeper conscience, the intelligence of
the quiet, intuitive realm, knows very well that such
“love” is always borne of selfish motivation. Perhaps
we really love so as to be loved in return. Or maybe
we count on the love of others so as to avoid paying
heed to Radha Krishn, which requires a selfless
devotion and much discipline in the early stages. But
before we receive the love of Radha Krishn, the
eternal love, we must understand that the nature of
what we call earthly joy is merely an illusion.
The true love that we seek is neither a feature of our own
minds nor a quality that stems from this world of maya.
This love of which we speak is Divine: it is the intimate
power of God who is Krishn, or complete bliss. This is what
we attempt to understand.
For understanding, Shree Kripalu Ji calls upon devotees of
Krishn Love through his beautiful poetic verse in the Prem
Ras Madira to say:
“O my mind! Submit yourself to the lotus feet of
Krishn. The wealth and your youthful beauty of which you
may be proud is only transitory. It will disappear like
camphor.
O my mind! Listen! This world is futile. Worldly relatives
are tied to each other in only self-interest.
O my mind! Please understand that they are also like you.
Understanding this, please turn to Radha Krishn, your true
Divine Beloved.”
