Try to see God everywhere
[Pictured: Sri Ramakrishna]
[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 892
He who has discrimination can be brought to the level of Mother Sita. When captured she did not move from Sri Lanka. She surrendered to God and prayed to Rama. In self-forgetfulness comes God's grace. God and His grace cannot be separated. You have a body through God's grace.
Either take God's name knowingly or not. He is so compassionate that He will liberate you. Sri Ramakrishna said, 'Through God's grace you must try to realise God.'
If you give your body to the pleasure of the senses, it will be a long cut [journey]. Otherwise it is a short cut. In pain you must see Him. Either you surrender [power of attorney as described by Sri Ramakrishna] completely to God and know that He does everything, or you praise Him [follow the path of devotion or bhakti]. In misery take it as God's grace so that you remember God Himself – He who is your inner nature. Do this, and that is what you will manifest outside.
Light the fire of desire for God. Protect yourself by seeing God in everything. A sannyasi [Hindu Monk, or sannyasini (Hindu nun), renunciate, holy person, sadhu] does not cling to the world nor does he renounce the world. He realises that everything is Brahman [the one indivisible universal consciousness].
Whatever the scriptures say, it shows us God's will. If the scriptures say, "Don't do something," it points out the 'ego's will' [and the path to error].
You do the work and He will reveal Himself in His own time. Remember you are only His instrument. You must do dharma [righteous living and deeds]. Then when God sees this, He showers His grace. Sometimes you will not be aware of it. If you have ego, you are not aware of it. If you have sattvic [more subtle or balanced] ego you will be aware.
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