Swami Shivapadananda on the evolution to God-realisation

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s
notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 218

Excerpt from a book by Swami Yatiswarananda

After God vision
alone there is absolute fearlessness, which is Brahman [the One,
undifferentiated consciousness]. There is fearfulness when we see duality [‘us’
and ‘others’, ourselves and God]. The Upanishad says, “The more we realize the
true Self [which is one], the more fearless we become.”

[Sw.S] The Self is realised stage by
stage. First you see Relatively and then you see Absolutely. About ‘fear of
other people’ – do away with that. Swami Vivekananda said, “Take the criticism
of others with as much indifference as an elephant does the barking dogs.”

Sri Ramakrishna said, “There
is no spiritual progress if there is shame or fear.” As long as there is ego,
there is no progress.

Book: Consider all points and then
do what you think is right. Others will see that you are strong and they will
change their attitude. Thus you will develop inner strength.

[Sw.S] If you are looking
for secret instructions, these are no secret instructions.

What is a mantra? Words with
divine power. [Ordinary] Words are what
people use and they are coloured with their own character.

Life is a battle of negative
and positive, of the dharmic [righteous] and the adharmic [unrighteous]. The
forces of good are always more than the forces of evil. I repeat, the forces of
good are always more than the
forces of evil.

Do not follow your impulses.

The Upanishads [Hindu
philosophical treatises] say, “Brahman is free from time, space and
attributes.” In meditation that will help you. We have been born into the world
to cultivate love to God’s Lotus Feet.