Everyone wants to be the master, the best, the highest, the leader, the number one, the person in charge. Nobody wants to be at the very bottom. But in the song "Water" by Siddha, the lyrics state: "Let me be like water, never striving to be high, always seeking the lowest point, and there gaze in love's eyes." The song, the singer-songwriter’s goal is to be the lowest, the least, the last, the servant of all.

With all his powers, the life of Jesus Christ (the Son of God) is a vivid display of gentleness, kindness, tolerance, simplicity, humility, and devotion. Christ was offered earthly glories, but he chose a lowly life in the street with sinners and the sick, preaching love and serving his Father. Before he was betrayed, mocked, and crucified on the cross, he washed the feet of his disciples; and while he was doing that, he told them that the leader among them should be the servant of the rest.

Self-love is the least among love. Like lust it is selfish, but unlike lust it is seemingly peaceful. Nonetheless, it is not as joyful as love for neighbor and love for The Supreme Person. The happiness in self-love is but a drop of water compared to love for God's vast ocean. Self-love is a neutral state; it is in between love and lust. In ancient times, battles are fought in a neutral ground; that is why, self-love, in a sense, is a battlefield between love and lust.

 

 

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In the Third Prayer of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (The Golden Avatar) it states, In the Third Prayer of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (The Golden Avatar), it states, "One should chant the Holy Names of the Lord in a humble state of mind, feeling oneself to be lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In this state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly" Sri Chaitanya is a great scholar and a well-known debater, but he practiced and taught a spiritual process that his detractors regard as too simple and suitable only for ignorant people and sentimentalists. "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is God Himself." By his example, he taught us how to become submissive followers of a bonafide teacher. His Guru said that because he is too ignorant to understand logic, he must simply chant the Mahamantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.), for it will cleanse his heart and he'll be joyful being so in love with God.

 

God, Krishna, playing the role of a cowherd boy in India five thousand years ago, showed us that indeed, as what "Siddha Swarup Ananda Paramahamsa" said, "God sees the humble but not the proud".

During the "RasaDance", the Gopis, knowing that Krsna is dancing with them, become proud. They thought that they were the most fortunate women in the whole world. Indeed they were, but even for that thought alone, Krishna left them. Radharani was with Lord Krishna when he left the Rasa Dance. But the Supreme Lord also left her, because she had also become proud when Krishna left all the Gopis except her. Krishna loved the Gopis so much, but it appears that he just would not tolerate even a tinge of self-esteem excess and over-valued self-worth.

Lovers of God can control God. This is probably the reason why God is said to be reluctant to be loved. Furthermore, to test the sincerity of aspiring lovers of God, he went to that place (the lowest point) where no one wanted to go. But the devotees, the confidential friends and lovers of God, are more merciful than God; they know what is in God's heart and what pleases Him. Therefore, to the searchers, they whispered, "There, at the place so low, at the lowest point, is where you will find the Supreme Lord."

 

What is it in humbleness that attracts God? Where is the joy in meekness and in being low? Was it enough that God wants us to be humble for us to be humble? Was it worth it that in exchange for all the hassle of being lowly, we can be with God? What is in this virtue of humility? So many questions, so many unanswered answers. Please forgive me if some of the questions seems offensive that can lead to offensive answers or might reveal one's arrogance. Unfortunately, my limited knowledge has run out. I can't speculate any longer. But let me just remind you that this blog is about a race, a contest, and the prize in this competition, all the answers are right there at the finish line, at the lowest ground. Wednesday, June 27, 2012