Training the mind
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
[now a Centre of the international Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 918
Sri Ramakrishna said that a salt doll [i.e.a doll make from salt] went to measure the [size of the] ocean. Now the question is asked: 'Is there any effort on the part of the salt doll to melt or dissolve in the sea?' The answer is, 'No. No effort. It just melts.' Even if you try to preserve it, it will still melt. That is proper meditation. But if you do sadhana [spiritual practice] and you get up from your asana [seat] tired, that means you are on the wrong path [doing it incorrectly].
I'll give you two examples to show there is no effort. One: if you put R200 [money] on a horse, is there any effort to think what time the race is running? No. Even before time you'll put the radio on to listen to the race. Your mind is always on the race. Is there any effort to do this? No. Two: If you are in love with somebody is there any effort to think about that somebody? No. It's effortless. In fact it has the opposite effect; it is actually difficult for your mind to get out of those thoughts. So, no effort is needed. It just happens.
But that doesn't mean: if you don't love God, forget Him. What you should do, instead of pushing your mind, is to try to find methods to love God. No sooner you get to love God and there won't be any effort. The first thing to do is hear and read as much as possible about God.
For example: Some time ago you did not know about Swami Vivekananda, so you did not care about him. Suddenly you started finding out about him, then your mind said, 'Yes, Swami Vivekananda is great.' Now no effort is required to think of him.
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