Swami Shivapadananda Daily Reading - Day 78
Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.
Sri Ramakrishna knew the whole of spirituality; and he revealed the Truth. The Truth awakens in you only when you practise the sadhanas [spiritual practices] of this age.
When they accidentally broke the statue of Lord Krishna in Dakshineswar [the place near Calcutta/Kolkota where Sri Ramakrishna was based] the temple priests did not know what to do. Finally they asked Sri Ramakrishna, and what he said opened their minds. He told them a simple truth: Mend the figure and use it again. Sri Ramakrishna finally did it beautifully himself.
All great souls speak in simple language.
Master said, "Tapasya [austerity, denial of self-indulgence] is concentrated effort of the mind to gain a certain end." This means a concentrated effort of mind to gain control of mind and senses. Without hard practice no one attains Brahman [the ultimate reality]. The subtlest thing is how much hard work you put in.
Sri Ramakrishna had realized God but he had to do tapasya for others to follow. He did twenty years of tapasya - absorbed in God; meditating on the Lord; thinking "I am a worshipper". Then all distinctions disappeared. He was perfectly identified with Her, Mother Kali [the female destroyer-of- ignorance aspect of God], the source of all energy.
Sri Ramakrishna said, "I have done so much tapasya for you. You only have to do a minute fraction. I borrow one sixteenth portion from the Divine Mother and laugh and talk to you. When I hear about the Divine Mother I go into samadhi [see below].
A devotee should think of God.
Samadhi [super-consciousness] is complete absorption in Brahman - the devotee becomes Shiva [the male destroyer-of-ignorance aspect of God] the Absolute. The devotee did not have to take Shiva avatar [incarnation].
Someone offered fruit to Master and mentally he said to himself, "There are four for you and the rest are for the devotees." The Master knew this and just took his share. So when you offer something to God, God always knows.
Sri Ramakrishna knew the whole of spirituality; and he revealed the Truth. The Truth awakens in you only when you practise the sadhanas [spiritual practices] of this age.
When they accidentally broke the statue of Lord Krishna in Dakshineswar [the place near Calcutta/Kolkota where Sri Ramakrishna was based] the temple priests did not know what to do. Finally they asked Sri Ramakrishna, and what he said opened their minds. He told them a simple truth: Mend the figure and use it again. Sri Ramakrishna finally did it beautifully himself.
All great souls speak in simple language.
Master said, "Tapasya [austerity, denial of self-indulgence] is concentrated effort of the mind to gain a certain end." This means a concentrated effort of mind to gain control of mind and senses. Without hard practice no one attains Brahman [the ultimate reality]. The subtlest thing is how much hard work you put in.
Sri Ramakrishna had realized God but he had to do tapasya for others to follow. He did twenty years of tapasya - absorbed in God; meditating on the Lord; thinking "I am a worshipper". Then all distinctions disappeared. He was perfectly identified with Her, Mother Kali [the female destroyer-of- ignorance aspect of God], the source of all energy.
Sri Ramakrishna said, "I have done so much tapasya for you. You only have to do a minute fraction. I borrow one sixteenth portion from the Divine Mother and laugh and talk to you. When I hear about the Divine Mother I go into samadhi [see below].
A devotee should think of God.
Samadhi [super-consciousness] is complete absorption in Brahman - the devotee becomes Shiva [the male destroyer-of-ignorance aspect of God] the Absolute. The devotee did not have to take Shiva avatar [incarnation].
Someone offered fruit to Master and mentally he said to himself, "There are four for you and the rest are for the devotees." The Master knew this and just took his share. So when you offer something to God, God always knows.
Source...