Thematically, consistently, the key to unlocking all of this divine sentiment, emotion is separation.
There is a method to the madness as Shakespeare says. [Krishna separates Himself from His devotees] because He’s addicted to a particular type of prem which only comes out under the intense pressure of separation upon affection. That’s when it’s squeezed out, so to speak.
Everything makes us forget Krishna, just about. Every last thing makes us forget Krishna. Braja-gopis are in the situation where everything is a reminder of Krishna. That is their mahabhagavata-like vision.
Krishna consciousness is very peculiar: you make progress in Krishna consciousness as you lament your lack of Krishna consciousness. It’s not a never-ending celebration of achievement in that sense. But the awakening up to the degree that you’re not Krishna conscious yields progress in Krishna consciousness. If we lament lost opportunities, it’s a progressive position in Krishna consciousness.
The spiritual world is not like on the map. It’s all consciousness. It’s not like: it’s so many light years away… — Metaphorically, but not actually. That’s why when we hear about Krishna from His devotees, Vrindavan can awaken in our hearts.
The real test is: what does the heart produce in separation from Krishna? And that’s the test now. Our unfortunate situation is — it doesn’t bother us that we are separated from Krishna. That’s a sad, pathetic thing. But in time it will. And the Gopis come with the cure for this separation suffering: talking and hearting about Krishna.
The day that you heard about Krishna was the beginning of auspiciousness in your life.
From the devotee you hear something about Krishna and forever your heart is touched. And nothing can compete with that — ever. And no matter what happens after that, at some point, in your sojourn in material existence you’ll remember the sweetness of Krishna when your heart was touched by hearing about Krishna and seek more connection with Krishna.
Guru Maharaj said, “If I do not deceive me — no one can deceive me.” There is a deceiving element within us that brings us in connection with deceivers.
Wherever the devotee triumphs over the Lord — that makes Krishna more happy. His default position is Divinity, God, the Infinite. But what enhances that is His pastimes with the devotees. Always. — So that’s the way He’s most happily identified: Radha-Vinod, Nanda-nandan, Yashoda-nandan…