Consciousness discussed
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
758
Swamiji continues explaining Sri Shankaracharya's use of the term Satchidananda
Then he said chit – consciousness. So it removes that which is not conscious. If I say 'chit', I mean consciousness. Consciousness removes that which is the opposite of consciousness. So that goes; and what I know as consciousness in my limited sense must also go.
Ananda [bliss] will remove misery, sadness and so on. Once that is removed, this, that I know as 'ananda,' must go too. Then I am That. So that is why it is necessary to add the word 'absolute' at the end of Satchidananda. Don't just say Satchidananda and leave it. It is Satchidananda Absolute. This will also be written in the Upanishads. Sometimes it becomes confusing because these are words. But exactly what I am saying will be written in the Upanishads, it won't be different.
People will ask you what relationship does the Absolute have with this apparent relative relationship? I say apparent because we Vedantists believe that everything is only an appearance. Example: the desert and the mirage. What existence has the mirage with the desert? Apparent.
[Pravrajika] Atmaprana [the first Sannyasini (Hindu nun) of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa - pictured above]: But the Consciousness that is in everything – the forms are only apparent?
Swamiji: You are actually talking about form. In that state you cannot say 'world'. It is. Consciousness is. But as long as you ask, 'What relationship has the Absolute with this world . . .?' Yes, it has a relationship but it is an apparent relationship. In the Absolute there is nothing to be related to. This is where people misunderstand Sri Shankaracharya. It is high. It is not something you can imagine either.
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