Swami Shivapadananda on God’s concealed nature

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

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

Day 401

 
 

Devotee: In the film on Master's [Sri Ramakrishna's] life there was this so-called beggar who ate with the dogs. But he was a Paramahamsa [literal meaning: great/supreme swan. The highest title accorded the most evolved/holy spiritual personages], wasn't he? What did he incarnate [i.e. take a human body] for?

Swamiji: He did incarnate for something, but he did not know for what. And he is not known [i.e. recognised by many] as an incarnation [avatar] because God hides Himself from others so He will not be recognised.

Sri Ramakrishna himself lived in the world for many years as an ordinary sadhaka [spiritual aspirant]. He did this just to show us. He started at the bottom and was an example to us. He showed us how to live in the world as a child. He never cared what anyone said, he only cared about what his Divine Mother said.

Real spirituality lies in practising it, not just talking about it.
You may have the intellectuals behind you, but who have I got behind me? I have Sri Ramakrishna behind me.
That is the spiritual attitude.

If you go to Kailas Ashram [the Advaita (non-dual philosophy) monastery in the Himalayas], you are only allowed to say, 'How is the body today?' [i.e. you may not say 'how are you?' as that would be identifying with the body or duality] Satchidananada [Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Absolute] is how I feel always. Do not confuse that with the body. But we all do that and so we fall down. Do not think, 'I am sad.' Think, 'The mind is sad.' Do not think, 'I am clever,' think, 'The intellect is clever.'

Devotee: After being at the Ashram I feel hungry – I know it is not physical hunger but I have to eat.
Swamiji: Yes, I know what you mean. So take some fruit, offer it to your guru and then eat it.

Books and intellect will not take you to God. Rather be a fool and know It. I am telling you something, get the message.

'Be still,' means listen. 

The100 CDs of Swamiji speaking have been converted to mp3
format. This means they can be played on your computer, an iPod,
certain mobile phones or any other mp3 player. Price is just R100 for
both DVDs inclusive of postage in the RSA.

Contact Tim Hoare on timhoare@webmail.co.za