Knowing Krsna

Bhaktin Sharon Winner-Allamon

 The question of whether or not God exists is one of the most sought after questions of any time period. To those that are unrealized, God's existence is questionable often because of the atrocities and mayhem that occur with daily living. They can not believe that a supposed loving God would let such things occur. Such uninformed souls, however, often live with the fear that they are wrong and that they will be punished for their disbelief in a hellish after/next life. Deep down they know that there must be an all-powerful being. Yet still this world does contain a population that believes in the existence of God. Each individual or group will have his/their own justifications to support his/their reasons for belief. But in general, most intelligent humans know that God exists in some form or another.

In history there has been numerous theories and philosophies that support the idea of the existence of God. There is Thomas Aquinas's Ontological Argument, Leibniz's Principle of Sufficient Reason, Kirkegaard's ideas of the Leap of Faith and many, many more. Yet throughout my reading I have found that the great philosopher Julian of Norwich really understands what it means to know God, or to us, Krsna.

We know Krsna exists because of our Vedic texts and because of the great incarnates of Krsna and what they spoke of. Still, what makes us believe these texts and spiritual beings? Why should we believe it? Because we have experienced Krsna through our souls and senses many times. Julian of Norwich said that it is but one's feelings that one should trust. She goes on to say that we are part of God and He is part of us. And thus God wants us to know Him through ourselves, through our experiences. God may expose Himself through direct or indirect involvement in one's life or through a mystical experience. Those who do not know of such experiences can learn from the experienced visionaries and their testimonies, she says.

I found Julian of Norwich's works to be quite personal. I believe many of us come to know Krsna beyond the texts through our experiences, mystical or not. We all know of the satisfaction of doing devotional service, the intriguing tastes and alluring capabililies of prasadam, the joyful feelings involved with kirtana, the mind awakening affects of chanting Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. And with this are also the occurrences that we expericnce in daily life that we know could be nothing more that the work of Krsna. "It is God's pleasure to reign in our understanding", Julian says. "He wants us to be His helpers, giving Him all of our understanding, learning His laws and keeping them.'' I believe there is nothing more true.

Everyday Krsna is showing Himself through us. Through giving Him all of our praise He is pleased. Be sure to let Him know that you know He is there and that He is not forgotten. All glories to Lord Krsna and Radha !!