[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
[now a Centre of the international Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 900
In meditation think of the guru [spiritual preceptor], and of the guru saying, 'Swaha' [the mantra (sacred word, sound syllable or one of the many names attributed to God) said when offering something in ritual worship].
Witness where the thoughts go. Let the thought go. See it, but let it go. The witness is not the thought. The witness is unseen, unknown, unknowable. Close your eyes and forget the world, forget the 'me'.
You should make the place where you meditate calm and serene, so you can concentrate on the Atman [soul].
Do not live in the past. Start now, live in the present.
Fasting on the Ekadasi day is the worship of Vishnu's shakti [female aspect of the God-head. The primal power, the Divine Mother], the shakti who assists the devotees. She protects you even if you do not know she is protecting you.
Holy Mother [Sri Sarada Devi, the wife, nun-consort of Sri Ramakrishna] said, 'I am your real mother, the mother of the virtuous and the sinner.' This is the love the Eternal Mother, Sri Sarada Devi, had for us.
If you are sick, the karma [debt from previous births] must be there. Karma works though this body and we are sick and suffering. So some sin was committed somewhere. Fasting burns this and cleanses you.
If you fast on Ekadasi, Mother never dies to you; no one can affect the body and mind of your child; no black magic can come near you. She is a living talisman [amulet of protection], living in your heart. She gives you what you need. If you need health, she gives health. If you need work, she gives work.
At least on Ekadasi you should fast. Even if you do not want spiritual progress, you are giving your [physical body] system a rest.
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.
For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:
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
