Swami Shivapadananda on aids to divinity

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

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

Day 322

In ritual worship incense represents the living presence of God
everywhere. The waving of the lights [dia] is to remove darkness.

Tilak [the Hindu dot on the forehead] indicates: ‘I am non-dual Brahman.
I am One. May the eye of intuition open.’ Sandalwood emanates [gives off] a
sweet smell even when ground into a paste. It teaches us patience, cheerfulness
and forbearance.

Offering food reminds us that the wealth of the whole world is the
Lord’s only – it is Prasad [sacramental, blessed by God]. Prasad changes a
man’s outlook on life. It cures disease, brings the [spiritually] dead to life,
destroys pain and sorrow.

Gerua [the orange/ochre colour worn by monastics] is as pure as fire.
It is burnt gold, it purifies. It is purity.

The shaven head removes all beauty. One with a shaven head is one who
has renounced all external beauty.

Change your identity. Know that: ‘I am not the body, not the mind, I am
the silent witness.’ Think this all the time.

If I go to a holy man, what can I offer him? Only love and sincerity. A
pure heart and a pure mind are your only friends. An impure mind and an impure
heart are your only enemies. Watch the mind – then it is ever quiet, tranquil
and pure.

Obedience to the guru slays the ego and guru’s grace fills your being.
So act how your guru likes you to act. Act as your guru would act, humbly.
Emulate him. Always do what the guru wants.

Go to sleep thinking of [the Divine] Mother, climb into Her lap, pull
Her hair, let Her slap you. Then repeat your guru mantra [sacred word/s or
syllable] and go to sleep. If you wake, call, ‘Ma, Ma.’ Be with Her, waking,
dreaming, sleeping. Only then will you cross over [the ocean of ignorance],
only then will you get there [to realisation]. Pray: ‘O Ma, I am tired, I want
to touch you, I want to hold you forever.’ Let God make all the plans.

Click on 'Continue reading' below to find out about CDs of Swamiji speaking.

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.