FAITH AND DEVOTION
How do we understand Krishna's comment that a person of knowledge is more
dear to him?
God is unconditional, all-pervasive, eternal love. A person of knowledge loves
God, so God's presence is always in that person's heart which is divine love. That
divine love is projecting out through the person. If we say that God chooses to love
the wise person, then it means that God discriminates. If God is all-pervasive, then
God has no reason to choose.
So even if we use an impersonal concept of God like love, is that still within the
realm of the mind?
Love is expressed and felt through the mechanics of mind.
It seems that the Bhagavad Gita is about war in conjunction with the spiritual
teachings. What about the concept of love? Is that there anywhere?
Love is a state of mind not polluted by selfish desires. If love is conditional, then it
is selfishness. Pure love is like a light which spreads out equally for everyone.
Love cannot develop as long as inner demons are not killed. This is the war in the
Gita.
The battle is also a metaphor for an internal struggle that goes on between our
positive and negative qualities. It's a symbolic story that brings that out in an
understandable and exciting form.
In each person, there is a pure consciousness which we refer to as divine
consciousness. There is also an ego consciousness which is not pure because it
works with our self interest only. So God is dwelling in everyone in two forms. If
we use the ego consciousness for the good of others, then we progress. If we use it
only for worldly achievements, then we get trapped. We are born with a
conditioning and that conditioning is 'I am this mind-body complex.' The ego
expresses this conditioning and creates its own bondage. We are also born with
faith and devotion. That is also conditioning of the mind. But the spiritual
conditioning deconditions worldly conditioning.
So the struggle is between two forces and that is the war.
Yes.
In history, saints are spoken of as compassion and infinite love. You speak of
dispassion.
Compassion is unconditional love. Without dispassion, everything is conditioned
by the mind and ego. So unconditional love or compassion cannot develop without
dispassion to one's self interest. So compassion and dispassion coexist.
What is a good way to express love that isn't through the ego?
Love is an expression of ego but when it is unconditional and unselfish, that is pure
love or universal love.
How can you focus on universal love as a form of meditation?
In a form of peace. When restlessness of the mind subsides,, that is peace and that
is meditation.
Where does Krishna live now?
Krishna lives in the devotional actions of the devotees. Krishna represents the
higher self within. Without the higher self within, no activity is possible.
Could you talk a little more about devotion to our spiritual ideals?
We create our spiritual ideals or spiritual disciplines. As long as we devotedly
practice those disciplines, we will not get snatched by worldliness.
First comes the aim.
Then you carry
the lantern of will power.
The path you tread
is full of thorns, rocks, and so on.
You wear the shoes of faith and devotion.
Will, faith, and devotion together
take you to the destination.
© 1995 Sri Rama Publishing
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