Swami Shivapadananda on Chastity and Spirituality

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY

READINGS

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

Day 179

Excerpts from a book by Swami Yatisawarananda

Book: Brahmacharya [lit:
celibacy, but more ‘constantly God-consciousness’] must be observed at all
times.

[Sw.S] A householder who
practices mind and sense control – once a week, and on fasts and festivals –
that is brahmacharya for him.

Book:
Conscious suppression of sex, with a spiritual aim, is absolutely necessary.
Through love of God and meditation a true spiritual aspirant overcomes all
natural difficulties. In the West they stress Vedanta but not brahmacharya.

[Sw.S] Brahmacharya must be
in thought word and deed. In thought you cannot help it, but turn it higher [sublimate it] –
it is beautiful. In word, turn the thoughts to higher things. In deed, do not
do any of those things. You must totally control the sex instinct. We follow the rules of yama
[to do] and niyama [to avoid] – but if that leaves out chastity it will be
truth, but not perfect Truth.

Book:
Keep the senses pure, immaculate, for God alone. Without chastity you cannot
stay on higher levels of spirituality. Householders must do their duty as
worship, live controlled, moderate lives, do not live like animals.

[Sw.S] Sri Ramakrishna said,
“So long I live I learn.” Can you imagine about us? 

Book:
God is everywhere, God is everything.
[Sw.S] God, is above, below, before,
behind. Think about it. Including you; where you are
standing and what you are. Everything.