Swami Shivapadananda on public speaking

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

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

Day 340

 

Before you speak in public, especially in the shrine, say to your self:
‘Ma [Divine Mother], this is your instrument, you speak through it,
you use it as you like.’  Make every
anecdote [story/illustration/example] feel as though seen and experienced by you. For example, if Rama [the
great Hindu Incarnation] felt sad in a certain situation, you too must
experience the same while relating it.

 

Fire is latent in all wood. With friction it burns, is transformed and
becomes ash. That is, its form has gone. Purity is Saraswati [the aspect of the
Divine Mother that bestows gifts/talent/wealth]. Purity burns all karma. In the
transformation, it leads to desire-less-ness.

 

The [higher] Self is your enemy, and the Self is your friend. It is
destruction and liberation. It is bondage and God. Control your own mind first.
Make this your whole life, only then will you help others. The thought of the
past, if glorious, inspires you today. Otherwise bury it.

 

In meditation as thought arises, either ignore it or say, ‘Lord, this is
your instrument, your thought, your senses, the fruit of your tree. I offer it
back to Thee.’ Thought and thinking, this is the important thing. God-thought
is a golden chain, with it you climb to God. Worldly thought binds you to
Earth.

 

Serve God in all. Make all your own.

 

When I go within [i.e. in meditation], I am one with you, God. Nothing of
me remains. But when I come out I see You in all beings.

 

Everything that comes from the guru is Prasad [blessed, sacramental
food]. Watch my actions as well as hearing my words, then you will understand.
No action, thought or word can be recalled.

 

Govinda [Lord Krishna/God] is guru and guru is Govinda [God].

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