The ‘dessert’ after Guru Purnima.
This audio recording is of Swamiji speaking on Guru Purnima, way back when. Yes, we know Guru Purnima was yesterday, 10th July 2025, but along with you, we celebrated launching of the expanded, work-in-progress version of 'A Life Lived For Others'.
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So this is the 'dessert', the day after Guru Purnima.
Here, Swamiji describes the significance of Guru Purnima and how it's celebrated throughout India – and of course today, in the diaspora all around the world. 'Who and what is the Guru?' surfaces, and Swamiji emphasises that even when Veda Vyasa is speaking or writing, it's the One Divine working through him. As it is also Divine grace working through all genuine spiritual teachers.
'Categories of competence' feature, as with everything. So not every teacher or self-appointed, self-anointed 'Guru' is a safe and dependable source of information or guidance. However, Swamiji reassures us by saying that 'where man fails, the Guru takes over'. [In this instance meaning the One, Universal Guru or Consciousness, which will then work through various means to guide the aspirant.] Provided, says Swamiji, that criteria like faith, and the desire to truly know God are there. Then the divine back-up system is activated.
Swamiji explains how the ancient Rishis got together to discuss how this problem of fluctuating teacher-quality could be remedied. [And here we thought Quality Assurance Management was a recent invention.😉] The solution was and is, in 'Incarnations' or avatars. [Board-certified Mahatmas. Just kidding. But not too far from the truth.]
Listen to what Swamiji has to say about the 'Tsunami-like' impact of an Incarnation. He explains how some of us will be attracted by a particular flower [personality/style/ethos] and repelled by another. And that for which we have a strong affinity or attraction, is our 'inspirer' and saviour for this life. One size definitely doesn't fit all.
Swamiji gives some totally relatable examples about how the divine works with us, on us, or through us. Sometimes in ways we might not particularly like. But always with our very best interests and growth at heart.
This is a fascinating listen and will help clarify several important issues for serious sadhakas [spiritual seekers or aspirants]. To absorb the wisdom, please click on the link below. Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 12:11
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.