The Lover's Life - 7c

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Refuge can begin at any place, from any stage or

condition in life. Refuge is a practice that is open to all

and is capable of granting anything, anywhere.<br>As

its effects are effortless and spontaneous, once they

are realized, all other campaigns are discarded.In

the past, there could be achievement through

practices like tantra, puja-worship, meditations and by

other sadhanas.<br><br>One great virtue of this current

age of Kali Yuga is that simply through the name and

refuge of Hari, there is perfect attainment.<br>Since

this era is inpure and laced with strife, practices

often become filled with hypocrisy and other confusions

that keep the Beloved away.<br><br>In the age of Kali,

circumstances are not conducive to pure devotion. Sacred forms

(Saints) have become hidden. That is why the emphasis is

upon refuge as it is the foundation of

devotion.<br>Then with the influence of grace, there is gentle push

from the Beloved and this allows the lover to swing to

the heights of His abode.<br><br>This refuge is not

blind. It must embrace the attitude that the Beloved is

present within all things and that divine presence must

be sought after and experienced everywhere. Only

then can the mystery and union of shelter be

reached.<br><br>Merely saying "I am Yours" without feeling it and

without sensing the Beloved personally will not bring

about the true refuge of the spiritual

heart.<br><br>When that mood is penetrated, the lover's single step

is followed by ten of His. Then the lover looks for

Him everywhere and begins to see. <br><br>These are

some of the inner moods of refuge that lovers cherish

everywhere and at all times.<br>It is not only a secret

doctrine, but the marriage contract between Beloved Hari

and His sensitive (bhakti yogi) lover.<br><br>Jaya,

Jaya Sri Radhey!