Chapter 4. Rejoicing without Conflict

Love and discipline are opposite in nature. When there is an interest in any activity, there is no need for any law. Lovers know no Rules. Conflict creates confusion and chaos and Love also creates confusion and chaos. But you cannot discard discipline. To preserve Love, you need to follow the Laws. Even in food, day to day activities, you need discipline. Discipline is required when there is no interest. Anything in extreme has to be dropped! Even in meditation, love, talking, otherwise even Love will turn Sour. Example, Love marriages breakup, very often. There is too much expression of Love.

Honor certain rules /discipline - This will uphold you. Discipline appears stifling, actually it gives you freedom. Example, child brushing teeth - this discipline prevents toothache. The other side of discipline gives you freedom - in the long run. Discipline takes you to Divine Love. However, don't be rigid about it. Police have traffic rules; but the ambulance needs to break the rules sometimes! Love knows no boundaries. Love can accomodate all the different opinions /the opposite values

SIGNS of LOVE

1. Love to perform Puja - like Rishi Parashara. Puja is action that comes out of fullness. Pu means fullness; Ja means born. Example, Nature loves you dearly, so we offer them during Puja - food, light, water, flowers, fragrance, Aaarathi. You are in total Joy - Ecstacy. Expression of immense gratitude is Puja.
2. Telling stories - like Garga Rishi. Example grandparents talk 24/7 about their grandchildren. Praising through stories, rather, rejoicing in stories, Divine Love manifests in the stories.
3. Rejoicing in Oneself without any conflict - Rishi Shandilya. Conflict is the work of intellect. Rejoicing is the work of the heart. Shandilya was very chaotic but there was no conflict, he was is in Divine Love. Our work, service, conversatons can be without conflict.
4. Offering all - good and bad to the Divine - Sage Narada. Only when you forget God, you are miserable. Unconditional Love - this is Divine Love. Restlessness is a sign of Love. When there is longing, there is Love. Gopis never forgot Krishna, their love and longing for Krishna brought them to Divine Love

Radha means longing; Shyam /Govind means Love.

Bhakti Sutras lift us! Example, the month of Aashad (Aadi in tamil) is meant for longing. Two feverish people get together, love disappears /exaporates and they end up suffocating each other.

Love is your very nature and longing is an integral part of it. Love is never complete - the longing keeps it Incomplete. Completion brings boundaries. The Gopis rejoiced in this Incompleteness. Example the love of the Gopis of Brindavan for Lord Krishna is an example of Love. Whatever actions have happened, offer all of them to the Divine - Relax!