Daily Reading 95. Swamiji says: When God is happy with you he takes everything. When He’s unhappy with you, he gives you everything.

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Don’t say a truth that hurts. Rather keep quiet.

If God comes in the form of death? Welcome him. Do sadhana in life, so then when the body dies the sadhana stands you in good stead. Live rightly, live happily, the time will go. We think we are dying, but we are not, we are taking birth. When God is happy with us he takes everything, when He’s unhappy with you he gives you everything.

[To a Christian devotee]: To fortify your mind think of the Star of Bethlehem and Christ’s mantra. There are lots of angry people around today. If you don’t do this you will get bogged down in difficulties, you may even lose your lives.

Swamiji gives some suggestions for meditation: Do one mala [round of 108 prayer beads] before you get up in the morning. Do pranayama [yoga breathing], a few bends – [exercises, flexing, stretches], take a small walk. Say OM three times, from navel to the top of the head, and on to the soundless. Sit relaxed, especially cheeks and hands. Be comfortable. Now start with ‘Guru brahma . . .’ and ‘Dhyanamoolaam . . .’ [the guru mantras]. When the prayers are complete visualise the Deity [chosen Ideal] from feet upwards, slowly. The deity is not made of flesh, but of light. Feel it [the energy] flow from his feet, to bless you. Move up his body part by part, especially the eyes. See his expression. His sweet smile. Radiating calmness at you. Or imagine the infinite ocean, or an infinite ocean of light or infinite sky. When the mind settles begin silently repeating the mantra [sacred sound syllable or any one of the numerous names attributed to God], with love, with bhava [feeling]. As the mind wanders, bring it back again and again. Think: ‘I am happy in body, happy in mind.’

At the end, offer the fruit [merit] of sadhana [spiritual practice] to guru and God. Offer day and night to God. End with the Maha mantra [Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare Hare. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare] two times and a few slokas [scriptural verses]. After satsang [religious service], if you feel irritable, take a walk.

Imitate the guru with heart wide open. Whatever you do, do with God’s name on your lips, God’s form in your heart. Surrender to Master [Sri Ramakrishna].

Repeat the mantra 20,000 times, morning and evening. This is the key to the Kingdom – come back to me after six months – if you really do this, there won’t be anyone to say you did it.

Or you can see God everywhere and do prayers just three times a day and think: ‘The Earth is permeated with God, and use any mantra you like. Some take OM.

Trace God. If you feel you can’t do it, force yourself. Love God as your own Self first – then others and everywhere. But we are not loving ourselves. This is a mansion of mirth [the human existence] – what you think you become. So it is high time to change your thoughts. Sit quietly for some time – look at your Deity,or at my smiling face. The Spirit is in you, the same as the Spirit is in me. Now yearn for the same thing as in me. Watch your thoughts. When the mind is thought-free then it is ‘witness consciousness’.

Indecision is a sign of mental weakness – of conflict within you. Be decisive in small things. A strict routine leads to not so many decisions about small details, and this leads to more energy. For example, either get up immediately – or sleep another half hour. Just do it, if you’re inclined or not.

Realise the true Self, this leads to true fearlessness. Consider all points – then do what you think is right. Others see you strong and change their attitude. If you are looking for secret instruction, this is it.

Underlined words are hypertext links to clarification, explanation or other sources. Just tap on them.

The free-to-read or download, 396-page Flipbook version of Swamiji’s biography, ‘A Life Lived For Others‘, is available by clicking HERE. If you’d prefer the PDF version, please click HERE.

For our gurubhai Atmaprakash Kramer’s beautiful pictorial ‘memoir’ booklet of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Avoca Ashram, please click HERE.

There’s also a Facebook site for Swamiji’s posts now. They feature newer readings published more recently. Click HERE to view.

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.