Swamiji speaks about developing a unique relationship with God.
Swamiji continues a discussion by having Swami Premananda Puri, our beloved Gurubhai, reading lines of scripture. Swamiji elaborates on them and stresses the critical need to develop discrimination – and how to start doing so.
The company of the 'holy' is required for this – but that too, doesn't just happen, says Swamiji, it requires God's grace.
Swamiji makes a strong case for the benefits of attending satsang – which is the fruit of sadhana [spiritual practise], whilst other types of sadhana are like [the precursor to the fruit] flowers [or buds]. Satsang leads to thinking, and thinking to understanding of the difference between permanent and the impermanent, and that leads to discrimination. Says Swamiji, then you will know your real nature.
Swamiji shares an astonishing and liberating instruction given to him by his own revered Guru, and our Gurudev, Swami Nischalananda Puri. Quoting Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, listen to what Gurudev told Swamiji. The difference lies in believing that God or your Deity [Ishta Deva], in whatever form most appeals to you, is your very own. And that changes the relationship dynamic, and your level of 'spiritual entitlement', in an extraordinary way. Swamiji stresses the need for having a special relationship with God.
This is a deeply instructive talk about developing and maintaining that relationship. To listen to it, please click on the link below. Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 13:42
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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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 image on today's post is borrowed from here.