Krsna is our only shelter

Everyone needs shelter in this world. We know this very well. Today it was shelter from the heat and sometimes it is shelter from the cold. Shelter from dangers in the world – always SHELTER, SHELTER, SHELTER!

But where is our shelter other than at Krsna’s lotus feet. There is no other shelter. Everything else is illusory shelter. We feel secure when we lock the doors but then someone else also has the keys – so what security is there anyway. Real security and shelter is found in Krsna and that’s really the essence of spiritual life. When we are new in spiritual life then we think and feel that we are advancing. We feel things are changing; our lives are changing and we are getting serious. But after we have been involved for a longer period of time, we feel that we are not making any progress at all. Why is that??

In the beginning, the progress is very measurable. It is about how many principles you follow... how many rounds you are chanting? But later it is different because later it is about the state of purity of the heart and that‘s more difficult.

Throughout centuries, the culture of worship of Krsna has been existing in India. The worship has been preserved but what about the state of the heart? That is another matter. That you won’t get from culture alone. The culture contributes – within the culture the respect, worship and name of Krsna is there but the state of the heart is what Krsna is asking for at the end BG 18.66. To surrender unto Him. So this topic of surrender is a very big challenge to rise to. Now to say: It’s only Krsna!

Kadamba Kanana Swami

20 December 2010

Cape Town, South Africa