How to control your mind
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
723
[Swamiji comments on a reading]
. . . one gets attached to objects by constantly thinking of them. From attachment comes longing and from longing anger.
Suppose I say, 'I want that person, I want that person.' Let's say I try to go to that person and some accident happens and I get angry. See how anger comes? My attachment gave the first step for anger to come.
. . . anger is a concentrated form of lust.
The author is saying to the brahmacharis [pre-monastic celibates] and the sannyasis [monks, Swamis] : 'If you keep away from the opposite sex it does not necessarily mean that you are a brahmachari. If you have anger you are just as much breaking your vows.'
. . . never think of transient things. That way you can escape attachment.
Then is it a negative instruction? No. You must think about the Atman [one Universal soul]. Do not let your mind hang in something which is nothing; let your mind hang in something which is everything, which is the Atman.
. . . through whatever reason the restless, unsteady mind wanders away, let him, curbing it from that, bring it under the sway of the Self alone.
Practice is a very, very, important thing. Even if you practise playfully it is a wonderful thing. Please believe me, you will have a sense of victory.
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