Be adaptable
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
Day 746
Yes, sitting and meditating can bring about calmness, but if by standing and being active you can have that calmness, then I will allow you to go and sit to meditate [i.e. the sadhaka (aspirant or practitioner) must have the ability to do both without preference]. It is not an objective thing; more a subjective thing. You have to watch yourself and weigh yourself.
If you want to sit in meditation, you should go and meditate; but at the same time don't neglect the other aspects of spiritual life. I can't give you a cut and dried rule because you are your own judge. No one else can be your judge.
When I was in India somebody came into the ashram [monastery] and he sat the whole day, he just wanted to meditate. But his meditation was of a very tamasic [slothful, lazy] kind. He didn't want to do any karma yoga [physical work].
You sadhakas must watch your mind. Your mind must be able to attach and detach at a moment's notice, then you can listen to your mind.
T [Swamiji's assistant] makes me laugh sometimes. At night I'll say, 'Come on, press my leg.' He will cut ['chopping' massage the leg] for a little bit, then he will moan and say, 'Swamiji, man. Swamiji.' I'll say, 'Now you forgot that I am Swamiji. Where does the "man" come from?' He will say, 'But Swamiji, I want to go and sleep.' So I'll say, 'Is sleep coming?' He'll answer, 'Yes, I'm very sorry.' I'll say, 'Then cut more.' And he'll reply, 'But Swamiji I am tired.' I'll say again, 'Then cut.' After half an hour, if he doesn't tell me anything, I'll say, 'Go and sleep nicely.' [devotees chuckle] Because he is telling me all this, I know he is giving in to his mind. So that's why I tell him, 'No'. He thinks I am fooling. I am not fooling. I am strengthening his mind. All this is training – though you may not understand it.
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, over 100 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.
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