Utilising Time

Until we have that face-to-face interaction with the Supreme Lord, there are certain ways in which we can contact the Lord in the here and now. God is simultaneously transcendent (beyond this world) and immanent (perceivable in our immediate realm). In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna explains that one can perceive His presence in the following ways, though it does require one to invest quality time in forging that connection:

T – Temple Deity – God’s immanence in the material world may be brought to the surface when ‘material’ objects, such as marble, metal or wood, are directly engaged as vehicles of worship according to authorised prescriptions.

I – Individual Beings – Krishna explains He is within the hearts of all living beings and from Him comes knowledge, remembrance and forgetfulness. We can interact with Him through others.

M – Material Nature – while God is the source of the universe, He is simultaneously present within it. Krishna says He is the light of the sun, the taste in water and the sound in ether. Indeed, He declares in Bhagavad-gita that whatever wondrous and beautiful creations we see, spring from but a spark of His splendour.

E – Events of Life – we may not see God’s face, but we can often perceive His hand in everything. By fine-tuning our consciousness, we can begin to perceive the dynamic ways in which God intervenes in our lives and crafts beautiful arrangements.