Swami Shivapadananda

Intention and activity

 

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji

691

You should start thinking deeply now. Stop fooling around. You must ask the guru questions out of your own necessity. Then the answer will make an impression, then it will go in deep.

That is why God does not give us God-realisation; it will not make any impression; it will not have the same bliss.

The idea of reading the scriptures is to influence your present will. If you do not read them and understand them properly you go on confusing your past impressions - which are influencing the present will.

Determination comes in once you know the nature of man and what he should do. And though your past impressions influence you to do something, by sheer will, sheer determination, you will only do what the scriptures permit you to do. That is the right thing. Determination comes in when you know what the scriptures want you to do, and then, even if you suffer, even if your life goes away, you will only do that which the scriptures ask you to do.

Ninety nine percent of our people are confused because they think that all they are doing is good. And their 'good' is only coloured by their past karmic actions. But if they want to know the real meaning of good they must look in the scriptures. If we do those things which the great saints and sages laid down in the scriptures for us to do, then that will be determination. You then determine what you should do and what you should not do.

I have a lot of regard for the Muslims because from the time their children are young they start learning the scriptures. Like this a man knows what to do according to his scriptures. And even if he does not do it, it is not that important at the present moment. At least he knows what he should do and what he should not do. Then his future behaviour is of his own making. But we Hindus fail in this regard.

 1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time. 2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.

There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.

Sri Ramakrishna    Sri Sarada Devi     Swami Vivekananda  

Swami Nischalananda  Swami Shivapadananda 

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online

Reference websites - please mouse over the name and click to connect:

Ramakrishna Math and Mission    Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa    Ramakrishna Dham

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Swami Shivapadananda on Niyama perspectives

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji

Day 501

(Pictured: Riverside view of Dakshineswar complex seen from Vivekananda Bridge)

 Swamiji continues speaking on Niyama

Three: Mortification, austerity [tapasya]. When you place too much stress on physical things and do not think about God, then you become an ascetic. When you mortify your body you get different powers. You do a lot of things - except know God. God does not want you to torture your body, He wants you to have intense devotion, intense yearning for Him. It is not by cutting off all your hair, by putting on a mala [prayer beads], or standing on one leg, that you can get God. No. Moderation is the word, not mortification.

When you perform austerities you get stuck in virtues, in morals. You want everybody to behave like you do. You will say, 'You must sit like this and you must do that.' You will have a paw-paw [glum] face, no smile, nothing - as if God has got no sunshine in heaven. I do not believe in a God like that. I want a God that when I see Him I must laugh, I must joke, I must dance, I must sing - but with sense and mind control. (We may be doing these things now but without sense and mind control.) Austerity means: Moderately do your sadhana [spiritual practice].

Four: Study and devotion to God. You must study anything that gives you mind and sense control. Do not stop there. Side by side with this have increased devotion to the lotus feet of your Ishta Devata [personal deity]; and know that that Ishta Devata is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent. In addition to these niyamas you must do regular sadhana. You must do it regularly, do not miss a single day.

You must have humility. You must become more humble than the grass. How will you become humble? Will you go about prostrating to everybody? No. To become humble you must know that God has all the might and that we only have a minute part of that might. Become like a speck of dust in front of the huge mountain of God's might, of God's mercy, of God's truthfulness. Think to yourself: 'No matter how much truthfulness I have I still have very little compared with God's. No matter how honest I am I still have very little honesty compared with God's. No matter how much mercy and compassion I have, I still have very little compared to God's.' Like this I must humble myself. You will find in all this that service, selfless service, is the main thing, because that is what purifies you.

There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.

   

 

Swami Shivapadananda on Rani Rasmani

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 432

   

It was a fisherwoman, Rani Rasmani, who built the Temple [pictured] at Dakshineswar and brought the Highest there. She built the Temple for Mother Kali. (You cannot become an ocean of nectar if you do not understand this.)

The best pundits failed to find a priest to officiate at the Temple - Rani Rasmani was of the sudra caste so they could not easily get a Brahmin priest for the Temple.

In a dream God said, "Why not donate the Temple to some high priest, then we will all come here?" So that is what she did and people came and worshipped. This is how Sri Ramakrishna became the Temple priest – and he worshipped all the gods and goddesses.

Master gave the spiritual answers out of his own experience, his own heart, so the answers uplifted and benefited all. Sri Ramakrishna opened the door to the western world through Swami Vivekananda.

The Upanishads were not previously given to the low classes in India. But Swami Vivekananda brought them out and gave them to all the people of India and the people of the world.

Sri Ramakrishna followed the qualities of sattva, and he was sattvic.

This Ramakrishna, in this yuga, manifested Himself. 

Swami Shivapadananda on right attitude

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 385

Be prepared to adapt at all times. Be perfect in all you do, adjust with each step. Be perfect in each situation. It is no good to [just] do what you can do already.

Devotee: What is the relationship between pain and the mind? Swamiji: Why do you want to know? Isn't it enough to know that I exist?

Nirvana is beyond bliss, it is pure Consciousness, it is 'I am'.

Shakti is the Divine Mother. The body is an inert mass occupied by the whirlpool of thought and activated by Shakti who plays all the parts and makes you think it is real - and then watches.

It is the thought that I am separate from Him [God, the one universal consciousness], that separates me from Him.

In spiritual life it is not enough to sacrifice the body, you must also sacrifice the mind and the soul.

The love of the guru is the greatest thing.

If you are sad this ashram makes you more sad. If you are happy this place makes you more happy.

Have the courage to face renunciation.

In meditation you think you are not thinking, but you are still thinking. It is only thinking. Get that?

If I live here and now, this leads to spontaneous action, thus there are no problems. Let others do what they want. See it but do not react to it, do not feel it. They can do what they want. Stop criticism that way.

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Swami Shivapadananda on gentleness

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 381

   

'I am God.' Think this all the time, as you think so you become. People will begin to see God in you, worship you and so on.

The mantra [sacred word, sound syllable, names of God] is a life-line between you and the guru.

Never see wrong in others, see it only in 'me'. Raise their spirits, making them manifestations of God. If you do see wrong, it is between you and God. When God decides, He will tell the guru and then the guru will know, otherwise talk [i.e. gossip] goes on from one to the other. Unless I am very close to someone I do not say anything. If I see X stealing, I may take her aside gently, and quietly say something. Otherwise I keep quiet. Be like a dew-drop.

Work is worship. Surrender is a form of sadhana [spiritual practice]. Surrender the mind, everything else goes with it.

Repeat the mantra 1,500 times a day and see the change in six months. Concentrate with the eyes open and repeat the mantra. See the world but concentrate on the ajna [chakra position, between the eyebrows] and see the [Ishta] deity [deva], Krishna, Shiva [of your choice].

Kriya [breathing-based kundalini] yoga and hatha [physical] yoga are not good, they build the ego, unless you live in a cave and do it secretly.

When you talk to someone always think, 'He is God, let me serve him.' Then only will you become humble and friendly. Practise this.

When will you get tired of playing? Never hurt others, do not even speak the truth if it hurts someone. This is Prasad [sacramental food]. Think what you will say first. Ask yourself, 'Will it hurt?' No? OK, say it. If it will hurt, do not say it.

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Swami Shivapadananda on spurning occult powers

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 367

 

Devotee: What stops us from seeing the guru in ourselves?

Swamiji: Ignorance. Ignorance of our true nature and his true nature. We see ourselves as the body and him as a man. But he sees us as all perfect, divine, and he gives up his divine abode for us, time and again, to raise us. Until each one is raised he will not rest, such is his compassion. Life after life he has helped us. How can we ever repay him?

He and he alone knows how to treat us as we need to be treated, and not as we think we should be treated. Once you understand this there is no jealousy. He fulfills our need - this is a great word in spirituality.

Other gurus you meet are also God, but only for general advice of sadhana [spiritual practice] and not for inner guidance. But gradually you will see this. Listen to all but strictly obey your Guru only. Do not listen to conflicting advice. Conflicting advice may be given, one lot may be given to you and one lot to another. So obey what your Guru says to you. There may be fifty taps but you can drink from only one.

Man and holy-man, keep them at arm’s length. Play the role of mother or wife.

‘Blinding darkness’ occurs when you use a mantra for obtaining powers, which lead to delusion. You think it is spiritual and so you go on and get deeper and deeper. There is no hope for you. I want you to take special note of this: All powers are dangerous.

You are here at the guru’s feet by Grace only, otherwise you would be somewhere else. So you must gain the Guru’s grace, that alone will help you, but you still have to do meditation to purify yourself. 

Swami Shivapadananda on worshipping the seemingly 'ugly'

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY

READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 349

 

Morning and evening do one mala of your guru mantra [sacred sound syllable or name of God], with your deity in your heart. After that you can change the mantra but keep the same deity. Repeat the mantra all the time.

All the time I am there, with Shiva [the aspect of God that destroys ignorance] - holding his feet. I speak to you and then return to His feet.

 

A young child has no ego. God is the doer.

 

If you knock it must be opened. For all who have knocked, it has been opened. So make your mind pure and worship even the ugly.

 

Take every line of Swami Vivekananda’s [chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna] poem on Mother Kali [the female aspect of God, and consort of Lord Shiva, who destroys ignorance and evil] and meditate on it. What is death? Find out, then you will think that the ugly is the same as the beautiful.

 

You do not have to realise you are God, because you are God, that is all. When you worship the ugly you will see only beauty everywhere. Then you can go beyond, and That is God.

 

Devotee [clearly referring to a prior state of mind]: Nothing seemed to be wrong. I just developed a headache and felt depressed . . .

Swamiji: This is because it is inside and it must come out. Always be the witness to these things.

 

There’s the story of a man who tried to straighten the curly tail of a dog. [see posting picture] He pulled and pulled (i.e. he did sadhana [spiritual practice]) but when he let it go, it curled again! Similarly the mind goes back to the same old pattern of criticism etc. when not controlled by sadhana.

 

You cannot reach God by criticism of others

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Swami Shivapadananda on development of right attitude

 SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 348

 

A bhakta [devotee] loves even if it kills him. And that love makes him strong, to bear suffering. Flowers wither but love goes on and on.

 

Try to keep the feeling of meditation all day. See God in all His creation; and love the Creator because you see Him everywhere.

 

We all want to receive love but we have forgotten how to give it.

 

In my absence love one another.

 

Give, give, give of yourselves. Give all to God because it is God’s already. Go beyond name and form, thought and feeling. Love itself is the fire that burns everything, and love itself is all that is left. It expresses itself as purity, gentleness and compassion.

 

Go inside - this is the edge of the razor. Though I appear to be laughing and jolly, I keep going inside. I check up with [the Divine] Mother, ‘Is this okay, Ma?’ if she says, ‘Yes,’ then I carry on. So we must check again and again and then carry on.

 

Fighting is all ego, so stop fighting and start loving.

 

You have been like a wandering monk for long enough, now take your begging bowl and ask God to fill it.

 

There are two kinds of God-realised souls. One group are the great teachers who, after God-realisation, travel and teach. The others are devotees who just Realise God, and that is all.

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Swami Shivapadananda on attitude

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 338

 

[From a reading?] ‘In meditation let all sound become the inexpressible vibration of the mantra. Let the perpetual movement of thought become simple, pure, un-compounded awareness, so that, without union, without division, the great bliss is revealed.’

 

[Swamiji] To meditate is to touch God. It is the feeling with which you do meditation that is important. Satsang [prayer service] opens up the heart and the mind.

 

Brahman [the One universal consciousness] is the sky, Krishna is the colour of the sky. Can you separate them?

 

In the scriptures we read: ‘He who worships me in faith and love, who gives me all his heart, I call my own.’

 

Do everything for the guru. Renounce the world and ultimately surrender to the guru. Repeat, ‘I do all for him,’ and the ego goes. We do not really love Him because we do not know God’s love, so we use the guru.

 

Swamiji to devotee: Do you want to live in the world?

Devotee: No, Swamiji.

Swamiji: Then hurry up, do your duties and then go.

 

You come here and expect the guru to give you knowledge. But what you have in your mind, he reflects. Come to any guru with an open mind, so you receive his teachings.

 

Look at the chair but do not say ‘chair,’ say ‘God, God, God.’ [i.e. see the underlying and inherent consciousness in it] Keep on doing this.

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Swami Shivapadananda on attachment

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 302

Apologies for lack of Links. The TypePad.com upgrade still has some glitches. I'm trying to be patient. Please do so, too!

Attachment is like a thread of hair, you think it is easily broken; but I tell you it is like a rope that binds you. Break it.

Question: What is our duty, Swamiji? Swamiji: If a thing enhances your spiritual life, it is your duty. Serve God in all, make all your own.

Krishna’s father was Vasudeva - intelligence - and his mother was Devaki - love. Together they produced a child of love who was perfect in every way, all the time.

The prayer: “Poornamidaa poornamidam . . .” indicates that perfection can never be less than the whole.  

When we say the prayer “Asatoma . . .” it means: Let me see the Light which will remove the darkness of ignorance and attachment, so that I may see the perfection which I am already but which I have forgotten. I am perfect in all ways but I think I am the body.

Krishna is Divine Love. Let him awake in your heart, this night. That is my prayer.  

The past memories are always coming up. It is no good to bury them. These are all God’s lilas [divine play], so dance. And if you know and dance, it is wonderful. Otherwise you just have to dance anyway. Why? To straighten out the entanglements in the mind. We do not know they are there, but they are. And later we look back and say, ‘Ah yes, that is why that had to happen.’ So take the Name [of God/mantra] and may it make you strong for God.

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