Evolution of thinking
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
[now a Centre of the international Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 885
Swamiji reads from the Vivekachudamani [a Hindu philosophical treatise on Vedanta and non-dualism – advaita - known also 'the crest-jewel of discrimination']
The guru [spiritual preceptor] is a smouldering fire that burns without fuel – there is no action, it is action-less.
Swamiji: Sri Ramakrishna would see a public woman [prostitute] and he would go into samadhi [spiritual superconsciousness]. But a sensual man sees that and desires her. Think what gives a worldly man a push to enjoy worldly pleasure. What gives a holy man a push to enjoy spirituality?
When you go to the guru you should worship him with devotion. Be humble, besiege [ply] him with questions pertaining to spirituality. Do not ask him about worldly matters. Bhakti [spiritual devotion] is a mental quality. Touch his feet and do his behest [bidding or wishes]. Wait till the appropriate time. Be pure in body and mind. Say to him, 'You are the ocean of compassion, I have fallen into the ocean of samsara [cycle of birth and rebirth]. Please rescue me.'
Swamiji: Sri Ramakrishna's religion is the essence of all the religions under the sun – and even in the heavens. People think we are the followers of Sri [Adi] Shankaracharya [the father of Vedanta, depicted above]. Yes we are; and infinitely more. Because where Sri Shankaracharya left off, Sri Ramakrishna found further things. Sri Shankaracharya was limited [not in himself but] because of people's understanding [capacity] at that time, and by the existing environment and tradition [restrictive conservatism] .
In Sri Shankaracharya's teaching you find that he gave women the second fiddle [inferior role] to play. But Sri Ramakrishna came and said, 'No. Correctly, a woman is the embodiment of the Divine Mother.'
Sri Shankaracharya believed in [the Hindu] caste [system]. But Sri Ramakrishna was beyond caste. Anyone who yearns for God is beyond caste. They believe that God dwells in everyone's heart.
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.
For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:
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