Swamiji urges keeping our focus on God. Talks excerpt 180.

From Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Question: Why do we find meditation so dull and move away from it? Swamiji: It is because we do not pursue it – we don’t do it at regular times etc.

When I go to church I must be absorbed in Christ, absorbed in Christ alone – not in the cross. Christ and nothing else must exist for me.

(To a close devotee:) Offer all your sadhana [spiritual practise] at my feet. The more japa [repetition of a mantra, sacred sound syllable, or any on the many names attributed to God] you do, the better for me. I can talk to you like this, because you are my very own.

I came into this world to make you happy.

When people have problems – just do japa [on their behalf]. It works through them.

We must get up by 4.30 a.m., it is so fresh. I do not know why people do not get up at that time. The blankets have a greater appeal.

Love, live, give. Love is the only thing, so give it – but love in a righteous sense.

To keep the mind on God is very hard, it is an austerity [tapasya]. The one who is able to do that will have succeeded in stopping the mind’s restlessness forever.

Swami Vivekananda suggests that we worship the Deity [Ishta Devata] through love, as the Beloved. God is nearer than anything in this life or the next.

In all our actions we must judge whether it is making for diversity [dissipation] or oneness [concentration]. If diversity, then give it up. If it is oneness, it is good. Decide if your thoughts lead to disintegration and multiplicity, or lead to oneness.

The free-to-read, 396 page Flipbook version of Swamiji’s biography is available by clicking HERE.

These recordings were made from the 1970s onward, by Mother Radha, a close devotee of Swamiji’s and edited for uploading here by our gurubhai and her son, Brother Tim. Please be mindful that what Swamiji was saying may have been specific to an individual or a group of people with him, at the time.