Our Relationship with God

 Although we understand that God is one Supreme, still different religions approach Him at different levels. Understanding these levels will help us to become more focused in our approach to God and will reveal the highest goal that one should aspire for. At the same time one will develop a respectful attitude and appreciation towards the other religions that may take their followers to a certain level of relationship with God.

    Consider the example of the Prime Minister of  a country. A police constable works under the police department that is one of the energies of the Prime Minister. That is the way he is related to the Prime Minister.  A Member of  Parliament can see the Prime Minister face to face, but has a relation in the mood of awe and veneration. But a son, or wife, or mother of the Prime Minister has the most intimate relation with the Prime Minister. They are so intimately related to him, that they do not even see him as a Prime Minister but as a very near and dear lovable object. They know his likes and dislikes, interests and concerns, moods and mission, etc.  In the same way, different religions take us to different levels of intimacy with God.  As long as the relationship is out of fear, desire, or duty it cannot be considered intimate.  When love for the Lord awakens in one's heart, one can experience the real sweetness of the Lord's reciprocation.

common principles:

Veda Vyasa, Jesus Christ and Mohammed were all divinely empowered and inspired. yet with divine
discretion they revealed only as much as their audience could digest. The essence of all the major religious scriptures is the same.

An analysis of the various religious scriptures reveals the following common essential principles:

1. There is only one God and He is the supreme object of our love.
2. Obedience to God is the ultimate religious principle.
3. Service to God is the nature of all living entities.
4. The Kingdom of God is the ultimate shelter for everyone.
5. To approach God, sinful activities must be given up.
6. Chanting the Holy Names of God is the easiest way of reviving God consciousness.
7. One should renounce flickering material pleasure to experience everlasting spiritual happiness.
8. One needs the guidance and the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master to achieve God.
9. All religions teach that love of God is the ultimate perfection.

  ⧭The Bible states: Love Thy God with all Thy soul and all Thy heart.

  ⧭The very word 'Islam' means 'complete surrender'.

  ⧭The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) states : sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja-   "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me."