My Credo – Where I Lay My Heart
The grammar is built. Now I must add my own words and sing my own song.
May my prayer travel outward, wide and clear, like the light of the sun following its path. Let it ring true, an authentic expression of my faith.
The words in this world are names frozen in place, disconnected from their source. In the Absolute ground nothing is disconnected and vibrating the sound of the word ‘water’ quenches your thirst.
The name of the Absolute is connected to who it names and vibrating its sound summons the person.
O Lord, you are known by many names, each embodies your different traits. You hear the call of your name and reciprocate. You appear in whatever form honours our chosen relationship.
The name I call expresses my faith, what is in my heart. To call you God names only your outer role, the supreme power, the all-powerful creator and sustainer of all. Such is your majesty and glory and all must stand in awe before it.
But my heart isn’t satisfied by superior prowess. Power enforces; we have no choice but to acknowledge and surrender to it. That isn’t true worship. Power cannot capture the heart. Worship is chosen willingly. My heart is drawn to your heart, not your power.
Your love for us is eternal, already in place. It has always been. It was in place before the question was asked, before the yearning was felt. It will never be withdrawn. Your love for us stands with a fidelity that never wavers and cannot die.
You reside in that love. I am so unfortunate that I reside in its lack. I know only the shape of its absence, what it isn’t, not what it is. I feel its shadow cast over me, but I cannot feel its substance. When will the day come that I will turn and face that love? When will I willingly surrender my heart to you as you have done for me since time immemorial.
I don’t ask for anything to enhance my knowledge, wealth or fame. I want to know your faith. What is your credo? Where do you place your own heart? What is it that you, the Lord of all the worlds, freely choose? For what, have you left aside your unlimited power and majesty as if it was trifling and unimportant? Where do you bow your divine head and to what do you dedicate yourself to serve above all else?
I find the fullest expression of your credo in the song of Sri Chaitanya.
So I call to Hare, the one who steals the heart. To Krishna, the all-attractive one and to Rama, the source of all joy.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare.
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
