This isn’t about running; it’s about resting. It’s the art of stillness, of quiet contemplation. You don’t need to exhaust yourself traveling to distant lands; just shed a few tears of longing.
No one has ever reached God; it’s impossible. The idea that you can attain God is futile. God isn’t something to be achieved; it’s not a destination. It’s not your choice; it’s God’s will.
All you can do is prepare yourself, cultivate your worthiness. That’s all. You can reach the lake, the river, or the pond, but you can’t bring the rain. The rain falls in its own time, by its own will.
Temples, mosques, and churches are like ponds – they can quench your thirst temporarily, but they can’t provide the depth of spiritual experience that the rain brings. Don’t get stuck in the pond; welcome the rain.
Meera didn’t go to the temple; Krishna came to her. Narasimha didn’t run to find Krishna; Krishna rushed to him. Ramakrishna didn’t go to the goddess Kali; she came to him. Sudama didn’t reach Dwarka by his own efforts; Krishna ran to meet him.
Visiting sacred sites and temples is essential, but don’t get stuck in the ritual. Think of the rain that’s beyond the temple. If merely visiting temples could guarantee enlightenment, the priests who serve the deities daily would be liberated by now.
God isn’t confined to specific places; the universe is filled with the divine. ‘Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma’ – everything is divine. Learn to perceive the divine everywhere.
Don’t just quench your thirst; learn to soak in the rain. Don’t get stuck in small, temporary fulfillments; yearn for the depth of spiritual experience.
As Ramakrishna Paramahamsa saw the divine even in his own excrement, so too can you perceive the divine everywhere. This may seem impossible, but I believe it’s achievable for one who has cultivated such a profound level of devotion.
Even Ram, during his youthful travels, visited various sacred sites across India, but returned to Ayodhya with a sense of discontent. This feeling of incompleteness led him to seek guidance from his guru, ultimately transforming him into the revered Shri Ram.
This story is remarkable and deserves further exploration. For now, let’s pause and reflect.
