Swami Shivapadananda on the secret to God realisation

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

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

Day 424

The secret of all mantras [sacred syllables or names of God], all sadhanas [spiritual practices] is imagination, i.e. image-making. Do that slowly and you will overcome the image itself. But no one wants to do this.

If you get depressed think of apples, oranges, bees – of the sun, of the colour of the flowers [i.e. nature]. During the day do it for 3 minutes, or 15 minutes. Think of happy times, in church etc – and you will find happiness and be transformed. That is how to be happy, and hale and hearty. Offer all you do to Him. You are blaming the key but you are putting it in the wrong lock. Put the key in its rightful place.

Swami Yatiswarananda [pictured] says in his book [Meditation and Spiritual Life]: Do all for Him. The central thought must be about God. This leads to great results if you stick to it. There is no miracle, no magic, in spiritual life.

Swamiji: They say spiritual pride and arrogance are sparked off by miracles.

Book: Spiritual life is very simple, but it is difficult.

Swamiji: I would like to change that to 'It is very simple and therefore so difficult.'

Sri Ramakrishna said: A true devotee of God must have absolute calmness – never be disturbed by the opinions of others. Be like the blacksmith's anvil, endure all the blows and persecutions and yet remain firm in your faith, and always be the same. 

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.

Reference websites: Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Ramakrishna Centre of Southern Africa, Sri Ramakrishna Dham