The idea that we should not try to see God but act in such a way that he feels pleased to look our way is one of the main philosophical contributions of Srila Prabhupada’s guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. He always made it clear that we are not the seers (that we cannot see God) but that we are the seen (that we can be seen by God).
Imagine an ant crawling over your book while you read. It cannot see you from its position – you’re something the ant cannot understand because it is too small. But you can see the ant very well. In much the same way we, who are so limited and conditioned, cannot really hope to see God – but we can act in a way that he sees us.
I would like to inspire you for a meditation: Try to imagine that Krishna looks at you at this very moment. What would he see? I’m not thinking of your hairstyle or dress, but when Krishna would look into your heart, what would he see at this moment? On the path of bhakti we want to stop as often as possible and ask ourselves, “What does Krishna see now? What does Krishna see when I’m dealing with a certain situation or making certain decisions? Is Krishna satisfied with the way I’m acting? Is Krishna satisfied with the way I’m thinking? Is Krishna satisfied with my plans?” The moment you ask these questions you will immediately see an improvement in your life.
I know this because whenever I visit devotees, it always looks so orderly. Everything is in the right place. Because they ask themselves “What will Sacinandana Swami see when he comes to my home?” It is a normal inclination that we all have – when we have someone who is dear to us as our guest we want to be seen at our best. I think if you introduce this meditation or thought into your life – “What will Krishna see?” – you will very quickly grow in your Krishna consciousness by leaving behind those things which don’t please Krishna and doing those things which please him.
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