Daily Reading 70. Swamiji speaks about self-discipline on the spiritual path, and the absurdity of converting to another religion.
Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.
The more energy you give, the more you get.
Life is very, very short. There is no time to waste being angry. Always try to be friends with everybody, otherwise nothing will help you. Become the Eternal servant of the Eternal Lord. In God’s name, in God’s presence, everything is nice.
The sadhaka [spiritual aspirant] has spiritual wealth that will fructify [bear fruit/results] in due course. This law governs life at a spiritual level. Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘First there must be purity of mind – this requires much effort. Then comes grace and whatever impurities are left are swept away by grace.’
To flower and fruit is natural. It is the obligatory duty of a tree or plant. Bathing, eating, earning, are the duty of ignorant man. [Self] Sacrifice, giving and austerity are the duties of a spiritual man.
Sri Ramakrishna also said, ‘There must be continued uttering of the name [japa] of the Lord, till the mind is merged in Satchidananda [Existence, Knowledge, Bliss] Absolute.’
Purusha is like a mirror – like an image in a mirror.
Question: What is purity of mind?
Swamiji: When the mind is restless it is impure. See Bhagavad Gita chapter six: All sadhakas [spiritual aspirants] must do yoga practise for the purification of the mind. All sadhanas [spiritual practices] are for peace of mind.
In the beginning if you are more restless, it is a sign of positive growth. Success is going through this, [and] devising methods to overcome the impurities. Then impurity after impurity is overcome. And slowly you reach the stage of purity. You must see you do not go below this level. When peace of mind is greater, then restlessness decreases. If it stabilises, then you have certain peace of mind. Don’t get distracted. Go on with sadhana, then the mind becomes stronger and does not run after [outer] things.
It is a sin if you hear Master’s [Sri Ramakrishna’s] words and yet do not even try to practise them. It brings darkness. You will never be happy. The guru [spiritual teacher/preceptor] is always kind and loving. He does not have your concept of a guru. He has his own concept of it. The guru wants nothing from you.
Question: Is it a great sacrifice for a guru to take on a chela [disciple]?
Swamiji: Gurudev [Swamiji’s beloved Guru Swami Nischalananda Puri] said, ‘The donkey only carries the load it can.’ No sooner do I think I am the guru than it leads to darkness. The guru must always think, ‘I am the Eternal servant.’ Sri Ramakrishna always thought, ‘I am [the Divine] Mother’s child, I am
not the guru, not the teacher . . .’
Do not worry about negative things, think about positive things. Three days ago an old man and woman came to the ashram [monastery]. They said their house was full of trouble and that they wanted to become Christians. I said, ‘Do you think that if you do this, then you won’t have any trouble? Read the divorces in the [news] papers.’ They said, ‘True, Swamiji.’ I asked them in the light of this, did they still want to become Christians? They said, ‘Yes.’ So I said, ‘Good. God bless you.’
Question: You read about the austerities [tapasya] done for purity. Please explain that.
Swamiji: You do austerities firstly because the mind becomes more God-orientated. It thinks about God and His lilas [divine play/actions]. Secondly, when you see suffering, your eyes become full of tears, you are full of compassion. Thirdly we do austerities to make the mind strong, to enable our minds to sustain the spiritual power when it comes. Spiritual strength comes because of purity. Someone asked Swami Brahmananda [direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna], ‘You lived with Sri Ramakrishna and he gave you everything. Why do you still do sadhana [spiritual practice]?’ He answered: ‘Yes. He gave us everything but to sustain it, we do sadhana.’
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These recordings or the excerpts from them, were made from the early 1970s onward, by Mother Radha, a close devotee of Swamiji’s and edited for uploading here by our gurubhai and her son, Brother Tim. Please be mindful that what Swamiji was saying may have been specific to those with him at the time.