Swamiji gives guidance on deeper meditation techniques.
Swamiji gives advice on how to repeat a mantra to the Deity [Ishta Devata] whether [aware of being] initiated or not. This will bring comfort to those who either haven't been, or don't know if they've been initiated. [And yes, Swamiji told us that some people are initiated without being aware of it. Not everyone goes through a ritual involving fasting, and the formal offering of flowers, fruit, etc. to the Guru. I think of random people meeting Swamiji just once under some interesting circumstances over the years. With Swamiji saying to me afterwards, 'They just had to see me in this life.' And some of these people found an anchor in that single contact and memory of Swamiji, when they were close to, or actually leaving the body. God doesn't run to our script.]
Swamiji describes the method and stages leading to the 'highest' form of doing japa, and then then goes on to share some subtle and powerful techniques for best maintaining a meditative state.
The congregation sit in silent contemplation for a few minutes, being guided into focusing on their deity. Swamiji says, 'This is what spiritual life is all about. Struggle, and struggle and struggle again, to bring the mind to the One without a second.'
Swamiji describes the steps of contemplation [thinking about] concentration [a deepened focus with fewer distracting elements] and only then, meditation. He goes on to explain how to move the mind from concentrating on the gross [external, visible] manifestation [picture, image, painting, murti] of the deity to the subtler [mental realm] and then on to the subtlest of all – the spiritual realm.
Swamiji shares some practical, fascinating insights on how to take our awareness and minds, step by step into greater awareness of the subtler realm. Including with our hearing. This all makes for fascinating listening and expansion of our understanding. Even for everyday life.
Swamiji explains that there are no shortcuts to the process of getting the mind to enter and hold on to the subtlest state. As He says, there are methods and rules to everything. And the essential process of consistent effort, is no exception. This set of guidelines is so rich in examples and analogies. It's certain to help many who have been struggling to obtain or retain focus.
Swamiji says we'll know that we're making progress when the intensity of our desire for closeness to the Divine increases. This was in response to someone who'd previously said that she'd been 'meditating' on her Deity for ten years, but seemingly without result. Proving that duration alone is not what reaches the goal, but the concentration involved. [With a healthy dollop of grace, one might add.]
Swamiji wraps up the homily by urging us not to allow internal misery from whatever cause, to externalise and bring misery to others.
To listen, absorb and action these beautiful suggestions, please click on the link below. Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 12:31
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.
Admin tip: Underlined words are links. If you click on them, they'll take you to an explanation of the particular word or term. [In these overviews, Admin comments are typically in a smaller green font, and square bracketed, like this statement.]
Dear reader, if you spot typos or or other errors, please feel free to email the site admin on info@imbizo.com with your suggested correction/s.
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.
The visual with today's post was crafted by Microsoft Pilot AI.