Swami Shivapadananda on virtuous living
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 492
(Pictured – north-east and north [smaller, right] verandahs outside Sri Ramakrishna's room)
For us to have a clearer vision of the virtues we must do rituals. As we do rituals we pray to God in a specific way for His compassion, His love, His everything. We try to behave selflessly in our daily actions, and from outside we come closer, we come inside. Then we do those selfless actions universally instead of only doing them in the shrine. We serve others without even reminding ourselves about it.
We try not to tell lies. Again and again we remind ourselves: 'God is truth. I must do truthful things outwardly, no matter how my mind is trying to revolt.' Then, inside, it becomes our character. Character means that subconsciously or habitually we will be doing things without any effort. First it is voluntary action, later on it will become involuntary action because we think of this in a universal sense.
What is the reason for being moral? Why can't we rob, plunder and steal? For the simple reason that we want to become perfect instruments to know the Universal Spirit – to get what we call God-realisation. After getting It you have no need of anything else.
Jesus the Christ said: "First seek ye the kingdom of God and everything else shall be added unto it."
How is it that the Rishi's light account is paid though he does not go to work? How is it that he sits in the cave and gets his food? He just projects a thought, and somebody comes along with food. After knowing 'It' even worldly things are abundantly provided.
Now comes the parent's responsibility. In the brahmacharya ashrama [in this case ashrama means 'stage' of student life] the child should not be exposed to any sensual things. His mind should be on a higher level at all times. Tell him the stories of the great saints and sages. Bring to his mind all the positive things. Use the word 'don't' very little, if at all. Always use 'do. 'Do this, do this, do this.' 'Do what Prahlada did.' 'Do what Druva did.' 'Do what Shravan Kumar did.' Do. Do. Do.
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