Swami Shivapadananda on staying with the Guru mantra
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.
Day 425
Swami Yatiswarananda says in his book: Go on repeating the mantra given to you by your Guru. But desire is such that you think: "Let me leave this Deity and try another one." You will never get it like that. The mantra given you by the guru is the master key – it opens any lock. You should repeat it first for 108 times.
Swami S: You will see it for yourself that with constant japa bad thoughts do not arise. This is very, very important. Think good, good, good – and not bad, bad, bad. Some people have nothing to worry about, but they create new worries.
Book: Go on brooding over the Lord. Sorrow and suffering cannot be avoided. Gunas [tamas, sattva and rajas] are continually changing. When you are dealing with others, remember: 'I am always changing.'
Swami S: A good man is he who knows his own shortcomings. It makes him more lasting and stable.
(During an Upanishad [Vedantic philosophy] class) The highest concept is found in the Upanishads, so we should not neglect the study of the Upanishads. It is a scripture, by studying which one can and must realise Brahman.
Yogis always study and reflect on them, and meditate on them. If a man does this his mind remains pure at all times. And the Upanishads become like a sea full of bliss; and the jiva [seeming individual soul] dives into that ocean. Each time it comes out it is strong, pure and refreshed.
We do particular rites [prayers, rituals, practices] to overcome the asuras [lit: demons but also bad impressions or samskaras – impressons from past births]. If you want to be a good man, overcome the asuras, do more sadhana [spiritual practice] – otherwise you are an asura. You look like a human being but you are an asura.
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
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Reference websites: Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Ramakrishna Centre of Southern Africa, Sri Ramakrishna Dham