Learning to die
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
695
Devotee: Is that why when we lose somebody we cry?
Swamiji: Yes. You are crying for nothing. You never take birth so how can you lose somebody? This is a big problem – nobody died.
In the dream your mother dies and you are crying. And when you get up what happens? Which was right? The dream scene or this?
Let us do it the other way. When you dream, what happens to this world?
Devotee: It is not there.
Swamiji: When you get up, what happens to the dream world?
Devotee: It goes.
Swamiji: When you are in deep sleep, when there is no dream, what happens to the dream world and this world?
Devotee: It is not there, Swamiji.
Swamiji: Yes. When you get in samadhi it is also not there. When you get up in the Spirit, all this is not there – it is only the Spirit. That is why I am trying to tell you: See through the eyes of the Spirit, not through the eyes of maya [divine illusion/delusion].
Have you seen the sun rise? Have you seen it set? But do you think that the sun ever moves? That's it. There are a lot of things like this which you only feel are happening, but in reality they are not happening. You have to experience this.
Devotee: You say we must learn to die . . .
Swamiji: There is no death. The day you find out there is no death you are dead. [laughter] That's it. That's the truth. (I am referring here to you as this apparent being.)
Arjuna [the disciple of Lord Krishna] was taught how to die. Sri Ramakrishna was taught how to die. All of us should learn how to die, because we cannot control birth until we know how to die. We want to become above birth and death.
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