Shreeya Sabukumar, Third-Year, BA Applied Psychology
(from her blog https://amornumquammoritur04.blogspot.com/)
Water is vital for all living beings, it is soft, humble, nourishing, and versatile in nature. Love like water also possesses the above mentioned qualities. We often find ourselves in a tight spot when we try to control whom we develop feelings for, or when we try to predict which direction our relationship is heading towards.
Love like river water has its own flow and course. The flow of river water cannot be controlled like our feelings for someone we have come to cherish. Similarly trying to swim against the current is as futile as trying to force our affection and feelings onto someone. You have to let go when it’s time, and give into the flow where it’s needed.
Why? Because the river rushing down from the headwater moving towards the plains only knows the ocean it has to reach. It takes the journey prepared to cross over and accept the places and circumstances it will come across on its way to the ocean.
Find your ocean, let your river flow and take its own course instead of trying to change its natural course or building a dam on it out of greed!
It is funny how many of us go around searching for and drinking water from other rivers when we are thirsty. We forget our own rivers. Our river water is within ourselves and continues flowing vigorously from the abundant love we receive and give back to our friends, family, significant others, animals, etc.
But do you know, that this river of love or Prema which we get acquainted with also has an ocean to merge into? The ocean of Bhakti – the most unconditional form of love. The one where you don’t fall but rather rise in love, and in order to experience Bhakti we have to navigate through Prema. It is essential to explore our own rivers and partake on the journey of love if we are searching for something more complete and eternal. The understanding of Prema helps one to experience and know Bhakti more vividly.
What is the journey to the ocean of Bhakti like?
It is that journey which begins from love as an emotion and ends at realizing the very means of our existence. Just like the journey river water takes starting from headwater until it merges to the ocean. Our river of love begins in ourselves and as it flows from ourselves to others, nourishing everyone, even yourself.
