Whispers from the Eternal - Episode 8: Because He Carries What I Can Not
Jai Maa and Jai Guru Deva,
Episode 8 of Acharya Shunya's Bhakti podcast Whispers from the Eternal entitled "Because He Carries What I Can Not" is now posted both to YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts. You can find the YouTube link below.
In this episode Acharya Shunya shares the great secret of Bhakti that fuels her own limitless service and creative endeavors. From Chapter 9, verse 22 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna:
Those who think of me alone, and worship me with one-pointed love, to them I give what they lack and protect what they already have.
We don't have to 'hold' everything [with our ego] because Ishwara is carrying everything we cannot. When we Love Ishwara, we are held and protected.
I was struck by the very clear distinction that Acharya ji shares here between worldly egoic protection, and divine protection. Seeking material resources, name, fame, and power, are a way for the mind and ego to seek safety and protection from the world. When those material desires don't pan out, we berate and doubt God. 'Why hast Thou forsaken me God?!' is the classic refrain. Where is that single pointed love? And yet, the promise here is not for material protection that is rooted in our desire. Instead the Bhagavad Gita tells us "Divine protection comes only from single pointed heart remembrance".
Everything in the world that we are seeking because we think we will be 'safe' can be taken away. All of that (waves hands wildly at the world) is impermanent, including material wealth, relationships, reputation etc. However... when we worship the Divine with one pointed LOVE, something different happens. The things Ishwara knows we lack are given, and what we already have been given by Ishwara is protected.
What do I lack in God's estimation? What do I have? What is being protected?
I will continue to witness and observe and LOVE, to see what grows in my life and what diminishes.
What whispers from the eternal are inspiring you from this teaching?
In Sacred Witnessing,
Sadhvi Aparna
I love the clarification that when one-pointed love for and toward the divine is given, our spiritual needs will be met, and by implication, that which we have that continues to serve our spiritual needs will be protected. It helps circumvent the ego jumping in and thinking, “Oh, this is how I get my needs met and keep everything in my life that I want.” And for sure Ishwara knows more about my spiritual needs than I do, so I look forward to seeing more of what they truly are by nurturing more bhakti! 🙏
Jai Maa and Jai Guru Deva!