Living in the country has really made the seasons much more alive for me. Yet this year in particular I have become powerfully aware of the deep feeling of spring. For this whole month there has been a perceivable change in the earth that I felt—a kind of knowing from a feeling level. The loud and excited chirping of the birds is an obvious physical and observable sign that something big is changing.
Living in the country has really made the seasons much more alive for me. Yet this year in particular I have become powerfully aware of the deep feeling of spring. For this whole month there has been a perceivable change in the earth that I felt—a kind of knowing from a feeling level. The loud and excited chirping of the birds is an obvious physical and observable sign that something big is changing.
What is new for me this year is that I could almost “hear” the earth’s excitement, like giving birth to something. The trees, bushes, creepers and seeds in the earth are also in the mood of celebrating, anxious to bring forth new life, or awakening from a long winter’s nap. The feeling of renewal, birth, regeneration and giving to the rich tapestry of life that which they are endowed to be by their physical form. Krishna is the master composer for the unfolding of his majestic symphony of life.
After the noticeable change and celebration in the bird’s songs come the bulbs, up and out of the ground, to present brightness and cheer to the still barren landscape. The daffodils and other flowering bulbs are like trumpets heralding the coming of spiring which brings visible life to the trees and plants—it seems we have been waiting so long for winter to end! The material world of change and duality is so apparent this time of year.
Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita’s 10th Chapter that: “Of seasons, I am flower bearing spring” , and elsewhere that he is the life of all that lives. So amidst the negative side of the Vedic scriptures view of the material world as full of misery and death etc, the Gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam give us many joyful, inspiring ways to remember Krishna from the visible phenomenon. Thus we can appreciate the wonder and beauty of Spring with its’ flowers, brightness, intense new growth green and colors, and mild weather before the heat of summer.
When we see the incredible loveliness and diversity of the world we can wonder about the source of this amazing show. The material world is called the “inferior energy” of the Lord (due to it’s temporary and limited nature compared to the spiritual energy) and is considered only 1/4 of his infinite energy. After describing his significant opulences in the 10th chapter of the Gita Krishna give us a summery way to see him through anything especially beautiful, glorious and mighty—-and then he puts it into context by saying that what we see to be wonderfully awe inspiring to us, is “but a spark of My splendor.” Then he ends the chapter hinting that there is no real need to try to elaborate on his greatness since with only a tiny fragment of himself he pervades and supports the universe.
However, although his greatness and opulence is unlimited and inconceivable, we become purified and reestablished in our original spirituality (Krishna consciousness or love of God) by glorifying him in every aspect of our life and in observing him in the world around us. So we can be excited at the coming of Spring while we know he is unlimitedly beautiful and great—we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
When our eyes are tinged with the salve of love for Krishna, the veil covering our true life and home will be removed. There is a whole other world to be experienced—beyond birth, death and limitation where every step is a dance and word a song, and every creature is fully conscious of Krishna, loves him completely, and serves him with their total being. For now we are becoming convinced that we want to serve Krishna—instead of materially forced necessities—hearing about our real eternal life, and practicing living the life of a devotee, or bhakti-yogi.