[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 965
Wherever you are the easiest way for a sadhaka [spiritual aspirant] is to imagine first that God is here. No you can't see 'It'. But in the beginning when you walk – you see that stone? You see that? That little brick? How many of you can see it? I didn't think at first that God is spirit. I used to think that God is fire. But strike two stones together and what happens? God is there in the form of fire. Just like that, I can't see the fire, but if I cannot see the fire that does not mean that fire does not exist in it. So like that just because I can't see God here in this space does not mean God is not here. Just like fire is hidden in the stone, God is hidden in this space, in the whole world [i.e. omnipresent], including this body. So like that, I respect God in you. Therefore I show tremendous love, not respecting [just] you but God in you. Later on it won't be God in you, you will be God. Because there's nothing else but God in this whole universe.
A sadhaka should definitely follow his or her routine of [spiritual and other] exercises in the beginning. Because you follow a particular rule only to become stronger than the rule and then become above the rule itself. Like a child going to school. He follows the rules. In the morning he must wake up at a certain time, he must be there, as much as he does not like it. But you will find he only reads and studies all of that to come out of [graduate from] the school. He transcends the school. So you must follow the rule to become strong and transcend it, not go under it, break it, undermine it, no.
Many people have told me, 'Swamiji, rules are made to be broken.' And I say, 'You fool. Rules are not made to be broken. Rules are made to be scaled – to be transcended so you can become above it – higher than it.' The rule will not leave you. It's such a faithful thing. The rule is so faithful – just like your mother. It won't leave you until it's made you strong. And you, like a naughty child will kick the rule out when you strong enough and you will rise above it.
Like crutches – as long as the leg is not strong, you cannot let go of the crutches. And yet you curse the crutches. People say 'Oh, you're using crutches?' and you ask, 'Why am I using these crutches? I hate these crutches.' Because people are commenting on them. Yet it is those crutches that will make you strong. So rules have to be followed. Not broken. They must be? – followed. If this happens, then you will blossom into the first flower of the heavens called God-realisation.
I shall talk later as my mood comes, on other aspects of spiritual life. Here it suffices for you to know this – a sadhaka shouldn't be fickle-minded. And how does he make himself fickle? By too much laughter, fun and frolic. You can laugh and joke – no need to be paw-paw faced. But too much [excess] is going to finish you. Because you forget the principle behind those exercises. And those exercises are meant only to make you stronger to become above them. They serve you as a stepping-stone.
And where were these principles discovered? By whom? The great Rishis [sage-seer-saints] – and great Rishis were not like today where everything is comfortable. Out of great sacrifice [tapasya] they have given you these principles which the world may apparently think are useless, but are in fact very, very useful. As a matter of fact, not very useful – most useful in your life. And if you follow them, if you are a brahmachari [student/celibate] follow it, if you are a householder [grihasthi] follow it like that, if you are a recluse, vanaprastha, follow it, if you are a sannyasi [monk, nun, renunciate], follow it. From that point of view you will grow into God-hood. Into? God-hood. And the fairest flower of the heavens will be yours – called God-realisation. Hari Om Tat Sat.
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, 150 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:
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
