He Is Everything You Need Him To Be

There's just something about Krishna. Sometimes, I stand in front of the poster I have of him up on wall, and I start to pray, and while praying I just look at his sweet face and I feel like everything is going to be alright. I feel like he's really listening, and that he is smiling right at me as if to say he's always going to be there for me and he's going to sort everything out in time. I really just love how I can talk to him like I would to a friend.

There are different types of relationships people can have with Krishna: Some see him as a parent, some as a child, others as a friend, master or lover. I have mostly seen him as a friend. I think that the way people see Krishna reveals what they want from life. For instance, women often tend to see Krishna as a child. Over the past few years, I have lost many many friends and I have lost the ability to confide in people. I have lost my confidence and often feel like no one is able to accept me as I am or even understand me. I have often felt like I had no one to talk to. During these times, I talked to Krishna and poured my heart out to him. My relationship with him is like that of Arjuna and Krishna - one where two people can exchange conversations and always be there for each other. It's interesting how Krishna manifests himself in our lives and becomes what we need him to be, just like he promised in the Gita in one of my favourite verses:

But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form--to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.         BG 9.22

Because I have felt this a lot over the past few years and feel it so strongly right now, I know that there are many of you out there reading this who feel like you have lost yourselves. To those of you who are feeling empty and feel like you are lacking, remember this verse. Whenever those feelings come back, think of this verse and remember that Krishna will be everything that you need him to be and he will carry whatever you lack and make you whole. 

Frustration

There are these moments in life where you feel frustrated and disillusioned. You don't know whether to run or hide or whether you should take the bull by the horns or just let things fall where they may. Right now, this is how I feel. I'm frustrated because I have a psychological disorder that affects my life, because I have several dietary restrictions due to food intolerances, because I haven't been unable to find a decent job.


I have been out of a job for the past few months. I'm not even keen on working for someone because of how abusive and manipulative employers can be. I feel like I've been through quite a lot, in the sense that my patience was really tested at my previous jobs. I don't want to get into the details but lets say I have seen how companies can be unethical and blatantly lie to their clients, and I have had my employers be so controlling even when it came to things like taking lunch breaks and even a 2 minute break to drink water. Feeling abused and disheartened, I left my job because I felt like I was not being respected as a human being. I wouldn't be surprised if things like this happened everywhere around the world, too. These are tough times we're living in.

The reason for frustration, as I understand it, is when something is lacking. I mean this on a deep level, not in the sense of material desires like having the latest iPhone or the biggest house. I mean necessities like a job, security, shelter, etc. Frustration stems from this lack of security and protection. It leads to anxiety of the future because there is uncertainty and a lack of stability. While I am sitting here, feeling waves of frustration wash over me again and again, I thought I'll have a look at what the Bhagavad Gita says in order to deal with my feeling of helplessness.


But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form--to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.      BG 9.22

Such deep consolation, knowing that Krishna will be there to assist you, by maintaining what you have and by making up for whatever it is that you lack. Everyone feels some sense of lacking in one way or another. Lack of strength, confidence, self-esteem, money, intelligence. So many other things. Let Krishna be your strength, your confidence, your pride, your wealth and your intelligence. Let him provide for you what you lack.

Anyone who prays unto Me and takes shelter from Me becomes My ward, and I protect him always from all sorts of calamities.     Lord Narasimhadeva, Narasimha Purana

This uncertainty of the future, of the state of my career, my wellbeing, my family, etc. are causing me great distress. I must remember to seek shelter of Krishna, and he will protect me from calamity.

He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.     BG 9:31

Ah, the peace that we are all looking for. Peace and promise of everlasting life.

The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because he offers the result of all activities to Me; whereas a person who is not in union with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of his labor, becomes entangled.     BG 5:12

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have been praying and asking for things, asking for Krishna to get me out of this mess that I am in. Then I remembered that I must not hanker for the fruit of any activity. I must let Krishna decide the outcome, and I must offer the results of my activities to Gopinath and work for his sake. Do the best you can do and do what you must, but leave the results to Krishna.

Perform your duties to the best of your ability and offer the results to Krishna. He will preserve what you have and should be lacking anything, he will provide it for you, as he sees fit. All the while, he will protect you as he promises and he will give you peace. Frustration will rear its head again and again because it is the nature of this world. But lucky for us, Krishna is on our side. And we all know which side is going to win.