Behaviour and faith
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 798
Gurudev [Swamiji's revered Guru Sri Swami Nischalananda Puri - pictured] told us never to tell a person anything until he has asked a question. He also said that when you go to a holy man you mustn't start speaking to him. You just prostrate and sit down or, not to disturb his concentration, you stand there. He's not a fool, he will speak to you. Remember this.
Devotee: What must we do if our faith in God is shaken?
Swamiji: If you have practised spiritual discipline [sadhana] and associated with holy people (holy people means people who believe in God without any doubt whatsoever) then your faith will not be shaken. But if you've been doing it superficially then naturally your faith will be shaken.
All of us, at some time or other, must have had certain experiences that show us that, though we ourselves could not do certain things, something higher than us must have accomplished these things for us. And you must bring to mind [remember] these occurrences to bring back your faith. Gurudev used to tell us that we should have no conditions to believing in God.
Whether you are rich or poor, whether you are healthy or unhealthy, whether you are blamed or not blamed, under all these circumstances you should still know that it is God's grace that you are here. He who has given you this body will ultimately lead you by your hand to the required goal. The problem comes only when you put a condition on God. God is not that weak that he is influenced by your few words.
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.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order.
Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.
For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:
Sri Ramakrishna Sri Sarada Devi Swami Vivekananda
Swami Nischalananda Swami Shivapadananda
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online
Reference websites – please mouse over the name and click to connect:
Ramakrishna Math and Mission Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa Ramakrishna Dham