Sannyasa mind
[Second President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
704
Swami Vivekananda said that in a sannyasi's life, no matter in which country he is, he must remember three things: Firstly, he must practise brahmacharya. Brahmacharya does not refer to only one sense, it is mind and sense control.
Secondly, meditation. He said that a sannyasi must do his sadhana [spiritual practise], study the scriptures and at the same time practise according to the scriptures and the instructions of the guru. Thirdly, a sannyasi should be a man of poverty, a man who will not own anything in his name. He said that the sannyasi should not even sign a cheque. Nowadays modern sannyasis are signing cheques.
A sannyasi can dress up anyhow he likes. He may be in the West, he may put on trousers. You will find the Ramakrishna [movement] swamis [Hindu monks] doing this; they will sit at any kind of table, but examine them very carefully and you will see they never forget: meditation, study, prayer, brahmacharya and above all the vow of poverty.
Everyone is great in his own heart. Everyone has God seated there.
No matter how much a holy man is advanced, still your Atman [spirit, soul] is holier than him.
Gopala Ma [a disciple of Master's] was a worshipper of Baby Krishna. She did not worship a married Krishna who had sixteen thousand and eight wives (sixteen thousand and eight means that he had a multitude of powers and controlled them). [To be continued]
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