Writing While Reading

[Guest guest]

It is important to learn what God's nature and not only as theory or

something unrelated to our lives. We should use our minds to think of what

is presented in sastras. Pray to the mind and the guru and to sastra

(sastra is conscious and wish-fulfilling.), pray to Bhagavan Himself, to

please allow the words of the Bhagavatam to enter our hearts. Let us

cultivate deep reverence and affection for the all-mighty Lord who loves His

devotees

 

"All the material manifestations of the universe is therefore situated in

His powerful material energies, which He accepts self-sufficiently, although

He is eternally without affinity for the material modes. " (SB. 2. 6. 31) A

verse like this intends to invoke devotion.

 

Srila Prabhupada points us to look at and accept the Bhagavatam's

statements, especially that the cause of all matter is not impersonal or

senseless. The universe is beeing run by the Supreme will and intelligence

of God, and He directs the affairs here both by deputing his agents such as

Brahma and Siva, and by participating Himself as Lord Visnu.

 

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Reading several lines today, I sometimes catch myself (after reading a few

verses and purports) grossly inattentive. I start a purport, my mind

wonders, and before I know it, my eye has slid over an entire purport. I

claim to have finished it and be ready for the next. "Wait a minute!" I

say, then make myself go back again and actually read it.

 

Sometimes, however, the resistance to re-reading is strong and I have to a

ask myself why. I may be too physically tired or perhaps it is time for a

break. When I do finally return to skipped material, I always find some

time that was worth returning for. She lost Prabhupada tells about that

devotional Service even in this laughed lifetime can bring this direct

engagement in the loading service of Lord Krsna. "The antiseptic potency of

devotional service to the Lord is so great it it can neutralize the

material infection even in the present life of the devotee. A devotee

doesn't need to wait for the next birth for complete liberation." (This

sentence from Bhag. 2. 7. 3 purports is one I had skipped over.)

 

I'm looking forward to being able to speak in lectures with recall of many

passages I have been reading and especially new conviction in the essential

message and teachings as we get it from Srila Prabhupada-let's serve with a

love and diminish material trash and go back to Godhead.

 

(From the article by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami in AF Vol.5 #3)