Intensity

Dear Friends,
What is the turning point in life? The dawning of intensity. When one desires something so much that it overwhelms the mind. One cannot live without it. The Sanskrit word "vairagya" means dispassion. When desires for the world fall away, one gains a powerful passion for God/Divine/Self. One falls in love with the Divine and seeks this Truth with every fiber of one's being. This is called worship - concentration upon one's Beloved.

This intensity has dawned upon the great saints of history. Sri Ramakrishna, a 19th century saint from India, was struck with this intensity upon falling in love with the goddess, Kali. He became the priest of the temple in Daksineswar and worshipped the Kali statue - talking to it, feeding it, giving it flowers. Soon he began to have a dialogue with the statue. It gave him advice, soothed him, and brought him much happiness. As the intensity of this relationship grew, Kali spoke from his own heart, and wisdom and guidance poured from Ramakrishna's mouth. Disciples from all over came to visit Ramakrishna to get his blessings and wisdom.

Once Ramakrishna's disciple, Narendra otherwise known as Swami Vivekananda, asked him if he had seen God, and Ramakrishna answered, "Yes, I have seen God. I see Him as I see you here, only more clearly. God can be seen. One can talk to him. But who cares for God? People shed torrents of tears for their wives, children, wealth, and property, but who weeps for the vision of God? If one cries sincerely for God, one can surely see Him."
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Intensity struck me during 2006 - 2007 upon reading a series of books about spirituality. One of these books, The Gospel of Ramakrishna, explained how devotion for Kali arose inside Sri Ramakrishna. Smitten by Kali's vision, he desperately wanted her darshan (blessing) and could not bear to live without her. Tears streamed down my face as I read page after page of descriptions of his love for Her. How was it possible that someone had this kind of intensity for God? I knew that this passion was waiting to arise within me. Every day, fire continues to kindle inside, and it does not stop.

Intensity can strike anyone. It may be directed at material objects, and it may be redirected towards Divinity. It is amazing what can happen when this energy strikes the human being. He/She becomes obsessed, one-pointed, focused, and concentrated, and miracles occur. One can achieve anything! May you follow your heart at every moment. May your passion grow. May you be deeply fulfilled.

With love,
Brian