SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
Taken from Mother Radha’s
notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.
Day 198
Christmas talk continued:
Sri Ramakrishna said, “We move from consciousness to Consciousness.”
This indicates that we move from duality to the One. Jesus Christ was conscious
of duality when he said, “Why hast Thou forsaken me?” When he manifested the
Spirit, he knew there is no two. Hence: “I and my Father are One.”
Hanuman was asked by Rama, “What do you think of me?” He replied, “When
I think you are the body, then I am your servant. When I think you are jivatma
[individual soul], I am your part. When I think you are Spirit, I am thyself [the supreme soul].”
Jesus Christ said, “I am the vine and you are the branches - I am the
son, and you are the Father - I and my Father are One.”
Burning a candle is like the sacrifice of his life. The candle gives
light to light the image of God, but it grows smaller and smaller and smaller
till it is no more - there is only God’s image. Yes. Your life should be like
that, and my life should be like that - burning with tapasya [self-denial,
austerity], with yearning, with bhakti [devotion], with knowledge.
Thou art all sons and daughters of God, born in the stable to carry the
burdens of others. The child of [Mother] Mary is prakriti [nature].
May the spirit of Jesus the Christ and the great ones, render you pure.
May you be born in it today, that you may sacrifice yourself at the altar.
There is no reason why we, who worship Sri Ramakrishna, should not adore Master
in the manifestation of Christ. Sri Ramakrishna one day saw Jesus Christ and he
was absorbed into Sri Ramakrishna’s body.
Continue reading "Swami Shivapadananda on the sacrifice of Christ" »


