Suffering and Japa
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 802
Mother Kunthi was asked by Sri Krishna, the Lord, "Ask me a boon [blessing] Kunthi and I shall give it to you." She said, "Lord the only boon that I want from you is that wherever I am, may difficulties always attend me." "Why are you asking for a boon like this?" Sri Krishna asked. She replied, "Lord, it's because in times of difficulties I think about you the most."
The main thing that mattered to her was not happiness but just remembering God. How many of us can do that? That's our problem. This is a higher type of worship though it may not seem so.
Swamiji on Japa [meditative repetition of one of the many names attributed to God, or a mantra – sacred sound syllable or word]:
To keep japa flowing, wherever I am I just withdraw [mentally] for a few seconds. Even if I am sitting amongst important people, and they are discussing something, I just withdraw for that particular moment and I do what I have to do [introspect], inside, and then come out. Or if I am near a Mosque I actually enjoy it because every time I hear the maulvi call, I straight away look at Sri Ramakrishna in the form of a devotee sitting in a Mosque and I see how he is doing his sadhana [spiritual practice]. Then I carry on. That too is a form of sadhana because I connected with God.
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