Swami Shivapadananda on simplicity
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
Taken from Mother Radha’s
notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.
Day 72
You must have the simplicity of a child with the maturity of a grown
man. This is very important.
In times of trouble, turn to the Ishta [your chosen Ideal, Deity or
God]. If you have no one to turn to, turn to the Ishta.
are not gentle at all – you can never realize God. All have attitude problems.
Sri Ramakrishna to M [Mahendranath Gupta, the ‘scribe’ for Master’s
Gospel], “Do not discriminate too much, not over limit.”
If you read that someone presses Master’s [Sri Ramakrishna’s] leg [not everyone is permitted
to touch a spiritual master’s body, so the seva (service) of doing so is seen
as a privilege], it is not because of Master’s pain; it’s because in a past
birth that person did many worthy actions.
Sri Ramakrishna had no secrets whatsoever. The only secret he had was
that he had no secret!
Ignore people’s faults. Look at their good points. If you can do this at
the time of insult, hate, jealousy, injury, then you are making yourself fit to
have the darshan [vision] of the Lord at least. Follow the advice of Sri
Ramakrishna – do not find fault.
If anyone comes to the ashram [monastery or religious institution] give
them comfort; and have a loving, smiling face. These are attitudes to improve
oneself. Above all become the servant of Sri Ramakrishna. Always talk softly,
sweetly, lovingly. Speak encouraging words, uplifting words. [Picture of Mother Teresa of Calcutta – a good example of Swamiji’s words].
Jesus Christ said, First seek ye the kingdom of heaven and all else
shall be added. How is it that the Rishis [sages], who do not go to work and
slog, get their electric light account paid? How do they sit in a cave and yet
get their food? A Rishi just desires. He just projects the thought and somebody
comes along. After knowing that, even worldly things are abundantly provided.
Posted by Clive Simpkins