SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA DAILY READINGS - DAY 97
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA DAILY READINGS
Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.
The shaving off of the hair... [see footnote 1] this means you are shedding your lower desires through the practice of yama [things you should do] and niyama [things you should not do] when you are morally fit. Then you have the strongest foundation. There are no cracks, so you do not fall.
The Vedas say: One tenth of your income, of your own sweat, must be given to teaching illiterate people. One tenth to do charitable work. One tenth used to convert your sweat into an institution. If you do this then you are a yogi.
You must take religion seriously. Very, very seriously. Do not speak lies. Do not swear at your God or sin against your God in thought, word or deed. You must be clean in thought, word and deed. Whoever your Deity is, [it] is a facet of Brahman.
I took Sri Ramakrishna because I have not yet found a facet shining so brightly, in this time, in this universe - though of course there are others.
Build a strong foundation of godly desires. Then when you pass away you are Brahman.
In my mind, in my heart, this country is the holiest place on earth. This is because I was born here on this earth, and I discovered that jewel - Sri Ramakrishna. May you discover him and have that love for your country.
I have no worries. My Master created the world, my Mother [the female aspect of the one divine consciousness] sustains it and my guru's [Swami Nischalananda] grace gives me a palace [see Footnote 2] to live in.
Give your life to Master [Sri Ramakrishna]. Give your life to Master. I did that and see what my life is like. How to become worthy? By desiring intensely to know the Self. What is the secret? Desire intensely to know Brahman, that Brahman which is hidden and kept in the scriptures of the world.
Swami Vivekananda [Sri Ramakrishna's 'lead' disciple] said, "Ignorance is the cause of all bondage. Knowledge comes though bhakti [devotion/love] and by loving all as the temple of God.
The bonds will break and you will be free. Cultivate bhakti. Worship God by loving all beings, sentient and insentient, as temples of God. God is in the stones too. This leads to Knowledge. The rope of ignorance breaks and the soul will be free.
Footnote 1:
A shaved head is a tradition for a Brahmachari, a male monastic celibate on the first rungs to monasticism. They typically retain only a small tuft of hair on the back of the head - symbolising that they have not finally renounced. It's also a way of reducing ego as many people's vanity is literally tied up in their hair. Female renunciates typically shave the head only after final vows are taken.
Footnote 2:
Swamiji typically lived in simple surroundings. If luxury entered the equation it was because devotees would typically, out of love, create them. Having observed him for 23 years of my life, I can say, Swamiji was very comfortable with simplicity.
Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.
The shaving off of the hair... [see footnote 1] this means you are shedding your lower desires through the practice of yama [things you should do] and niyama [things you should not do] when you are morally fit. Then you have the strongest foundation. There are no cracks, so you do not fall.
The Vedas say: One tenth of your income, of your own sweat, must be given to teaching illiterate people. One tenth to do charitable work. One tenth used to convert your sweat into an institution. If you do this then you are a yogi.
You must take religion seriously. Very, very seriously. Do not speak lies. Do not swear at your God or sin against your God in thought, word or deed. You must be clean in thought, word and deed. Whoever your Deity is, [it] is a facet of Brahman.
I took Sri Ramakrishna because I have not yet found a facet shining so brightly, in this time, in this universe - though of course there are others.
Build a strong foundation of godly desires. Then when you pass away you are Brahman.
In my mind, in my heart, this country is the holiest place on earth. This is because I was born here on this earth, and I discovered that jewel - Sri Ramakrishna. May you discover him and have that love for your country.
I have no worries. My Master created the world, my Mother [the female aspect of the one divine consciousness] sustains it and my guru's [Swami Nischalananda] grace gives me a palace [see Footnote 2] to live in.
Give your life to Master [Sri Ramakrishna]. Give your life to Master. I did that and see what my life is like. How to become worthy? By desiring intensely to know the Self. What is the secret? Desire intensely to know Brahman, that Brahman which is hidden and kept in the scriptures of the world.
Swami Vivekananda [Sri Ramakrishna's 'lead' disciple] said, "Ignorance is the cause of all bondage. Knowledge comes though bhakti [devotion/love] and by loving all as the temple of God.
The bonds will break and you will be free. Cultivate bhakti. Worship God by loving all beings, sentient and insentient, as temples of God. God is in the stones too. This leads to Knowledge. The rope of ignorance breaks and the soul will be free.
Footnote 1:
A shaved head is a tradition for a Brahmachari, a male monastic celibate on the first rungs to monasticism. They typically retain only a small tuft of hair on the back of the head - symbolising that they have not finally renounced. It's also a way of reducing ego as many people's vanity is literally tied up in their hair. Female renunciates typically shave the head only after final vows are taken.
Footnote 2:
Swamiji typically lived in simple surroundings. If luxury entered the equation it was because devotees would typically, out of love, create them. Having observed him for 23 years of my life, I can say, Swamiji was very comfortable with simplicity.