Swamiji discusses different relationships with God.
Swamiji talks about human relationships vs. a life fully dedicated to God.
Not in any way diminishing the vital 'ashram' or stage in life of grihasta [marriage], but illustrating that it doesn't permit a full focus on God.
Swamiji tells the story of Sri Ramakrishna going to meet the leader of the Brahmo Samaj, Keshab Chandra Sen, and how Master [Sri Ramakrishna] was surprised to find that he had children.
This was even an issue in the mind of Swami Vivekananda during his time with Sri Ramakrishna. In which he found it difficult to relate to a Deity who had children. A superb part of the lila [divine play] that is the spiritual journey. Obviously for us to learn from it.
Swamiji says that if you're involved in a relationship with someone, where is the time for God? It doesn't mean it's bad – it's just presently at a lower level. Swamiji uses as an example, Sri Ramakrishna saying that he had to 'come down a few steps' from Nirvikalpa samadhi before he could even speak the sacred word 'AUM'.
Swamiji touches on a number of topics following this, to illustrate different relationship with God. He retells the story of Sri Ramakrishna's nephew, Hriday, having a brief moment of spiritual awakening, and (humorously told by Swamiji) making a tremendous fuss. From which Swamiji draws the lesson that even a good event, at the wrong time, can have a derailing impact.
Swamiji touches on the life of Lord Rama as a baby, and then toddler, and the positive, novel relationship impact his boyhood must have had on the people of Ayodhya.
To listen to these words of advice and wisdom, please click on the link below. Jay Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 09:36
NEW! For a fresh daily reading recorded and transcribed by Team Radha Ma and Brother Tim, Click HERE.
The original audio recordings of these posts were made by close Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and Swami Shivapadananda devotee, Mother Radha. The audio editing and noise reduction of the original 1970s-onwards tapes, has been lovingly engineered, over many years, by her son and our dear gurubhai, Brother Tim. May Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji bless them both.
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Context: As always, care should be taken to remember that what Swamiji was saying, may have been very specific to the needs of people with him at the time. Please bear this in mind.
Links to our Guruparampara (spiritual lineage) organisations, which will broaden your knowledge base: Ramakrishna Math and Mission and our alma maters, the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram in Durban. The Ramakrishna Centre of Johannesburg is also active in Gauteng province in South Africa.
There are various publications [The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna etc.] which you can download at no charge, from the Ramakrishna Centre of SA website page, HERE.