Three Kinds Of Prayer.
At the first level, we cannot really see how fallen we are and that is God’s blessing. If we could honestly see all the sinful inclinations, offenses, and selfish motives of ours – we would become severely depressed. That is why Krishna shows us a distorting reflection of our mind, instead of showing us the reality. Although we do not usually see ourselves as saintly persons, we are usually confident that we are better than others, honest, humble, and austere. At this level, people normally are full of themselves. However, at the second level of devotion, we begin to soberly realize how many stupid things we have done, how many people we have offended, and how much selfishness, anger, and indifference is in us. This condition can be compared to that one of a pre-trial. Bhaktivinoda Thakur in Bhajana Rahasya gives an example of Yamunacharya’s Stotra-ratna prayers: “There is no single offense or sin that I have not participated in. The day has come when I am standing before You. The judgment day has come and I have no other refuge but You”. Prayer means to always appear before God. Thanks to the intensive spiritual practice, experience, and mercy – such a person is full of the desire to serve without any distractions.
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