Diary of a spiritual journey 7 "The Estatic Platform."

Date: 6.6.2003

Dear Vaisnavas,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

After a long time another entry in the diary of a spiritual journey. A spiritual journey must bring us closer to the Supreme Lord. But not only that, real progress must be permanent. It is said that the independent living being travels through the universe sometimes upward and sometimes downward, until by the mercy of guru and Krsna he receives the seed of devotional service.

EARLY MORNING- while the world's asleep. -All I want in the early morning is transcendental soundvibration. That nothing may interfere with the sanctity of a day that belongs to Krsna. -Adau gurupadasraya, first take shelter of the spiritual master, our first duty as listed in the CC in the 64 aspects of bhakti explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Gosvami. So first upon opening the eyes obeisances to the spiritual master. Of course that "adau gurupadasraya" also means that always in every situation the desire of guru has the priority. -Then chant. ..and nothing else.

And that chanting will be followed by so many dealings with people or the material energy. And still we need more; hearing and reading and maybe more chanting to not become overwhelmed by the material modes.

In the 6th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam it is pointed out that Krishna thinks because this man has chanted My Holy name it is my duty to protect him.

In Bhagavad Gita it is described that the most dangerous type of fear is the fear of loosing Krishna consciousness and to again slide down in the cycle of birth and death, mahato bhayat (BG. 2.40)

Still it can not be enough of a motivation that we are situated in spiritual life knowing it to be better than material life, but that we nonetheless must always remain on guard against falling down and that the principle reason for chanting is our protection. of course one should not be surprised that the attraction for sense gratification remains, because Maya is very strong and we have been conditioned in this material world for an unlimited number of lifetimes since time immemorial.

So we remain careful, but we are looking for positive inspiration. In the Srimad Bhagavatam 6th Canto it is described that Ajamila was very sinful throughout his life, but on his deathbed called out the name of his son Narayana. This chanting was offenseless and on the platform of Namabhasa, namabhasa can purify one from sinful reactions. After that Ajamila went to Haridwar and met with devotees there and then in due course of time became qualified to go back to Godhead. SB6.2.11

Whereas namabhasa is described as the dim reflection of the Holy Name, Haridas Thakura explained that early in the morning the light of the sun becomes manifest, even before the sun has actually risen. Only after the sun fully rises in the sky and moves along the sky can one have the full experience of sunlight. Only in pure chanting in love of God is the Holy Name fully present. Such chanting takes place on the ecstatic platform.

During his last visit in the Bhaktivedanta Manor a group of sankirtana devotees was allowed to meet Srila Prabhupada in his room. One of them, sitting right in front of Srila Prabhupada saw a glimpse of the spiritual world. Sitting in front of Prabhupada he felt as if he was sitting in front of the spiritual world, but there was a wall between him and the spiritual world. Prabhupada was obviously on the other side and by his presence one could see the effulgence of the spiritual world. And sometimes Prabhupada would turn his face on the material world and cast a glance surcharged with the transcendental ecstasy of the spiritual world at the conditioned souls.

I am meditating on this ecstatic platform, the platform of the constant glorification of Krsna and His wonderful devotees. Nothing else where I am, who I am or what's happening in the world is of any real concern. All that matters is the glorification of Krsna and His wonderful devotees and additionally maintaining and developing the facilities for that so that others can partake.

"Lord Caitanya never tried to be the master of the Holy Name; rather, He taught us how to be servants of the Holy Name." CC7.95-96 purport.

May we offer everything we have in the service of the Holy Name, that's what Srila Prabhupada did. He sang the Holy Name in Thomkin Square Park and shared his ecstasy with the entire world. In that hellish place called New York City he remembered Vrndavana, he spoke of how it is such a nice place. He said; "If you go to Vrndavana without knowing about Krsna, you will at once feel Krsna conscious. it is such a nice place." SPlect NY July 29,'66.

Today I am in Toronto, Canada and soon I will go to New York for Ratha Yatra,-everywhere people are interested in Krsna consciousness- sometimes it is inspiring and other times we have to tolerate problems and opposition.

Whatever it is I am planning not to let it distract me,-favorable or unfavorable material conditions-, I simply want to increase my meditation on the ecstatic platform of being always absorbed in hearing and chanting the glories of Krsna and His devotees.

Your servant,
Kadamba Kanana Swami