GREETINGS FROM FOURTH DIMENSION

'FOURTH DIMENSION – Advanced' Part 4
„Greatings from 'Fourth Dimension'”

14.03.2020

Our contact with a guru seems very natural and simple, we talk to him, write to him, sometimes there is a joke, etc., but... although he looks like an ordinary person with 'little' more spiritual experience, it is not that simple.

The position of a bonafide Spiritual Master is much higher than we usually think. It is important to know or recognize that there are in general two kinds of Spiritual Masters: descending and ascending. Both of them are situated on the level of 'Fourth Dimension' – a starting point platform for all true gurus to teach (above Three Modes of Material Nature, Ignorance, Passion and Goodness). The first guru is a person who descended from a Spiritual Realm to lead all others (Jagadguru), the second kind is an ascending guru who is making gradual progress on the path of Self-Realization, step by step. When we consider those who descended it is easy, they are 'Complete spiritually', ALWAYS on a Transcendental Position, and above all they always agree with each other, seeing everything from a 'complete' spiritual perspective on Uttama Platform. But when we consider the bonafide ascending gurus, the situation becomes complicated, although they achieved the position of a Pure Devotees on 'Fourth Dimension' Platform, they continue to further go through many complex levels, certain gradations they achieve, and therefore sometimes they have different points of view and different opinions resulting from different perspectives at a given moment, on Madhyama Platform. Yet, the goal for everyone is one, service to the Lord, 'jivera „svarupa” haya krsnera „nitya dasa”', „The living entity is an eternal servant of Krsna, the Supreme God” (CC Madhya 20.108).

We all agree with it, as we all go through the same levels of Self-Realization, only at a different time, the Sadhana-bhakti, Raganuga-bhakti and beyond: „The two stages of executing devotional service are, first, the stage of practicing devotional service with our present senses under the regulations of the recognized scriptures and, second, attaining sincere attachment for serving the particles of the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord, the first stage is called Sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service for neophyte, which is rendered under the direction of a Pure Devotee, and the second stage is called Raga-bhakti, in which the Mature Devotee automatically takes to the various services of the Lord out of sincere Attachmnet” (SB 3.7.14 p.) Here Srila Prabhupada describes the progressing devotees on Kanistha platform, or Sadhana-bhaktas (who go from Sraddha Platform to Sadhu Sanga, Bhajana Kriya, Anartha Nivrtti, Nistha, Ruci, Asakti, Bhava and up to Prema), and Madhayama or spontaneous Raganuga-bhaktas:

„The highest stage is called Prema-bhakti, but this stage is attained by executing Sadhana-bhakti (a true guru discending or ascending, is never living the principles of Sadhana-bhakti, first because they keep us on proper, fixed and stable position wthin this material world, and as well he sets this standards acting as an Acarya - showing the way by his exemplary life). One should not try to elevate himself artificially to the stage of Prema-bhakti without seriously following the regulative principles of Sadhana-bhakti. Prema-bhakti is the stage of relishing, whereas Sadhana-bhakti is the stage of improving the devotional service (CC Adi 13.39 p.). Passing from Sadhana-bhakti, through Raganuga-bhakti the devotee reaches gradually the next levels:

„When unalloyed practice of Sadhana-bhakti is matured into transcendental love for the Lord, the transcendental loving service of the Lord begins gradually developing into nine progressive stages of loving service under the headings of attachment, love, affection, feelings, affinity, adherence, following, ecstasy, and intense feeling of separation (SB 1.7.10 p.). And from that point of Vipralambha Prema, love of God in Separation, there is only one step beyond to Sambhoga Prama, but... this all is really after...

That complex stages, as we know not easy to comprehend, are situated before us like a 'Spiritual Yoga Ladder', yoga of connection with God. More higher we are, the closer we get to God, our realizations deepen, and our love of God, Sri Sri Radha Krsna deepen. And this is the Goal, already somewhere between the steps of Self-Realization, which we already experience to some extend...

Hare Krsna!