Daily Messages - 2025

Messages from Swami Dayatmananda

1 January 2025

Jai Ramakrishna

HEARTY KALPATARU AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Dear Devotees,

ON THIS AUSPICIOUS OCCASION PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTY PRAYERS AND GREETINGS.

MAY SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND HOLY MOTHER GRANT US BHAKTI, JNANA, SHRADDHA, STRENGTH AND STEADFASTNESS.

1st January 1886.

Only two weeks ago Sri Ramakrishna had been brought to the Cossipore garden. So long bed-ridden, the Master felt, for the first time, a desire to take a walk below in the garden. It was 3 p.m.

Dressed in a red- bordered cloth, a shirt, a wrapper also with a red border, a cap covering the ears, and a pair of slippers, Ramakrishna came down from upstairs along with Latu.

The lay devotees were present in a large number, as it was a holiday on account of New Year’s Day.

As the Master came down unexpectedly into the garden, the lay devotees came forward in joy to greet and accompany him. Latu returned to clean and rearrange the bedding of the Master.

It was Girish, the symbol of faith, who precipitated the historic moment. Girish was talking with other devotees like Ram, under a mango tree. For the last few months, despite Sri Ramakrishna’s illness, Girish was openly declaring to others that the Master was the latest incarnation of God on earth.

Sri Ramakrishna came along the way to where Girish and others sat, and asked Girish, ‘Girish, what have you seen (in me) which makes you say so many things publicly in glorification of me before one and all?’

With all his devotion and faith, Girish at once stood up, came near the Master, and fell at his feet. Then with folded hands and a voice choked with emotion, he said, ‘What more can I say about Him, even a fraction of whose glory Vyasa and Valmiki miserably failed to express in their immortal epics and puranas!’

With these words of fervent faith, a visible change came in Sri Ramakrishna, In front of the devotees he now stood radiant and, through Girish, addressed the gathering of these lay devotees, ‘What more shall I say to you? Be illumined.’

Hardly had he spoken these words, when he went into samadhi.

The words uttered out of a deep compassion immediately brought a divine awakening in all present. At once all of them fell at the Master’s feet, took the holy dust of his feet, and rent the skies shouting, ‘Victory to Ramakrishna’.

Out of a mood of divine grace Sri Ramakrishna now began to bless the devotees, one after the other, with his divine touch. This brought an instant transfiguration in them. Some of them looked at him spell-bound, some of them saw a light or effulgence, some felt the onrush of a spiritual power in them, some of them unable to bear the overflowing joy began to move restlessly, and call loudly to all within the house to come and get the divine touch. Still some others collected flowers and worshipped the Master with them, uttering various mantras.

Saradanandaji wrote later of those blessed moments.

The devotees forgot time and space, forgot the disease of the Master, forgot their previous determination not to touch him till he recovered, and were aware only that an extraordinary Divine Being, out of sympathy for them in their plight, feeling excruciating pain at their misery and overflowing with compassion for them, had come down from heaven and called them affectionately to Him for giving protection, like a mother sheltering her children against all ills by covering them lovingly with the upper part of her sari.

2 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. The compassion of great souls floods the world with its mellowed sweetness, even as the moonlight does. It is no respecter of persons, nor does it make any distinction of caste or nationality. The river of their compassion flows freely, satisfying all—rich and poor, high and low, good and bad.

One morning, Mahapurushji, after lying down for a while, was seated on his cot. He seemed solemn and indrawn. Suddenly, he said to the attendant standing near: “Will you go and see if there is someone who wants initiation?”

The attendant looked here and there and then went downstairs, where he found a woman who wanted initiation. After inquiry, he was startled by the information she gave about herself. The woman was young and had come from a village, accompanied by a man. She told the story of her sinful life and said that although she had been born in a brahmin family, she went astray in bad company and was living with a man of low caste, he being the man who had accompanied her here. In a remorseful tone she said: “May I not see him (Mahapurushji) once? Would he not be gracious to a fallen woman like me?”

When the attendant returned to Mahapurushji, looking disturbed, Mahapurushji inquired very earnestly, “Tell me, is someone there?”

The attendant reluctantly replied: “Maharaj, a woman is here who wants initiation, but….” Before the attendant could finish what he was trying to say, Mahapurushji remarked: “What of that? Ask her to bathe in the Ganga and come to me after visiting the shrine. Sri Ramakrishna is the redeemer of the fallen. He came specially to uplift them. What will happen to them if he does not come to their rescue? Otherwise, one would not call him the redeemer of the fallen.”

Mahapurushji was ready to shower his blessings upon her, and later, when she came for initiation after her bath, he said, as if he knew everything about her: “What fear is there, my daughter? You will certainly be blessed since you have taken refuge in Sri Ramakrishna, the redeemer of the fallen. Say this: ‘Whatever sins I have committed in this life and in lives past, I offer them here (i.e., to the Master) and I will not sin anymore.’”

'Jai Ramakrishna 03/01/2025'

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. One evening, after meditation, some of the monks of the Order were assembled in Mahapurushji's room. He was talking to them. Every word of his conveyed his joy in meditation. And what a sweet smile he had! In connection with his own life, he said: “From my very childhood I liked the formless aspect of God, and I used to meditate accordingly. However, after coming in contact with the Master I developed faith in God with forms and derived much joy in worshipping Him that way.”

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. (Mahapurush Maharaj was speaking of Puja / worship during his days.) But now, with the passing of days, there is an increasing stress on external forms, the result being a gradual decrease in the depth of devotion. “Swamiji's worship was also like that. He would enter the shrine, take his seat and meditate for a long time. It would be deep meditation. After meditating for an hour and a half, he would begin the worship. Meditation was very important in his worship. He would then bathe the Master and, adding sandalwood paste in the entire tray of flowers, would offer those flowers with both hands at his blessed feet again and again. His worship was indeed a sight to see. Finally, he would prostrate himself, get up and leave the shrine. Someone else would go and offer the food. In his worship meditation was the major feature.” Later, during the conversation, Mahapurushji said: “We, however, are monks. We do not need so much worship and ritual. We can very well do without these external forms. But rituals and forms are mostly necessary because all classes of people, men and women, young and old, from all parts of the world, will be drawn to this great centre, and will slowly become purified and be blessed by receiving the Master's most liberal message of harmony.” One morning, after meditation, many sadhus of the monastery were gathered in Mahapurushji's room. The conversation turned on various topics. Swami Yatiswarananda asked: “Maharaj, can we think of the ocean as a symbol of God?” In reply Mahapurushji said: “Why the ocean? The ocean has an end, and it does not exist everywhere. Ether is the symbol of God. Ether is endless; it is present in every atom. This universe is wholly pervaded by ether. Outwardly, wherever we turn our eyes in this universe we have ether.”

3 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. One evening, after meditation, some of the monks of the Order were assembled in Mahapurushji's room. He was talking to them. Every word of his conveyed his joy in meditation. And what a sweet smile he had!

In connection with his own life, he said: “From my very childhood I liked the formless aspect of God, and I used to meditate accordingly. However, after coming in contact with the Master I developed faith in God with forms and derived much joy in worshipping Him that way.”

Another day, when the conversation was on worship, Mahapurushji remarked: “Look here! In those days our worship was a worship of devotion. We didn't have so much elaborate ritual. On sitting for worship, we would think the Master was visibly present here, just as he used to be seated on the small cot at Dakshineswar. With that attitude we would wash and wipe his feet, bathe and dress him, decorate him with flowers and sandalwood paste, and give him fruits and sweets to eat. Later we would offer him cooked rice, curries and so on. When he had finished eating, we would give him betel leaf and tobacco. After the smoke, we would lay him down, stroke his feet and fan him, and when he would be asleep, we would softly close the door and go back to our room and rest. All these rituals used to be performed with profound love, thinking that he was living and visibly present there. Although we repeated some of the mantras according to rules, we didn't like it so much. Our worship didn't have any pomp or show. The Master is the Lord of our hearts. He wants genuine devotion and self-surrender.”

4 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932.

(Mahapurush Maharaj was speaking of Puja / worship during his days.)

But now, with the passing of days, there is an increasing stress on external forms, the result being a gradual decrease in the depth of devotion.

`Swamiji's worship was also like that. He would enter the shrine, take his seat and meditate for a long time. It would be deep meditation. After meditating for an hour and a half, he would begin the worship. Meditation was very important in his worship. He would then bathe the Master and, adding sandalwood paste in the entire tray of flowers, would offer those flowers with both hands at his blessed feet again and again. His worship was indeed a sight to see. Finally, he would prostrate himself, get up and leave the shrine. Someone else would go and offer the food. In his worship meditation was the major feature.'

Later, during the conversation, Mahapurushji said: 'We, however, are monks. We do not need so much worship and ritual. We can very well do without these external forms. But rituals and forms are mostly necessary because all classes of people, men and women, young and old, from all parts of the world, will be drawn to this great centre, and will slowly become purified and be blessed by receiving the Master's most liberal message of harmony.'

One morning, after meditation, many sadhus of the monastery were gathered in Mahapurushji's room. The conversation turned on various topics.

Swami Yatiswarananda asked: `Maharaj, can we think of the ocean as a symbol of God?'

In reply Mahapurushji said: 'Why the ocean? The ocean has an end, and it does not exist everywhere. Ether is the symbol of God. Ether is endless; it is present in every atom. This universe is wholly pervaded by ether. Outwardly, wherever we turn our eyes in this universe we have ether.

Far away—far, far away in infinity—there are countless solar systems, each of which is a thousand times larger than ours. Countless stars in the ocean of space rise like tiny bubbles, stay there and then vanish. Likewise, in God we infer the origin, existence and dissolution of infinite universes. It is God who has projected these infinite names and forms and exists interpenetrating everything as one indivisible substance.

"Projecting the universe, He entered into it.’”

5 January 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Saradanandaji Maharaj. May the swami bless all of us with Bhakti.)

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Saradananda)

Disciple: ‘X— instructs his disciples not to practise Japa without taking bath etc. Are such observances compulsory’?

Swami: “The Master came to make religion easy. People were being crushed under the weight of rules and regulations. To repeat the Lord’s name and to worship Him, no special time and place are necessary. In whatever condition one may be, one can take His name. The Master never used to give too much importance to these external observances. As to means, adopt whichever suits you best. If you like God with form, that will also lead you to the goal. If you like God without form, well and good; stick to it and you will progress. If you doubt His very existence, then better pray to Him thus:

“I do not know whether Thou existeth or not, whether Thou art formless or with form. Do Thou make known to me Thy real nature. As to changing of clothes, taking bath, and other external observances, if you can observe them, well and good; if not, go on calling on Him without paying much attention to all these. The Master once sang a song to me and told me,

‘Assimilate any one of these ideas and you will reach the goal.’

The song runs as follows:

‘O Lord, Thou art my everything, the sole support of my life, the quintessence of reality. There is no one else besides Thee in the three worlds whom I can call as my own. Thou art happiness, peace, help, wealth, knowledge, intellect, and strength; Thou art the dwelling house and the pleasure garden; Thou art the friend and relative. Thou art this present life, the sole refuge; Thou art the life hereafter and the heaven; Thou art the injunction of the scriptures, the Guru full of blessings, and the store of infinite bliss. Thou art the way and the goal; Thou art the creator and preserver and the worshipped. Thou art the father that punishest Thy child, the loving mother and the storehouse of infinite bliss art Thou.’”

6 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. One day a monk, finding Mahapurushji alone, said to him earnestly, “Maharaj, day by day the body is becoming more feeble; so, I cannot perform spiritual practice as before. I am frightened as to what will happen.”

Mahapurushji: “Cry! Cry! Can He be realized through spiritual practice? How much power has man? What can he do to be worthy of the grace of God? Nothing. Be at peace by surrendering yourself to Him. Take refuge in Him. He will certainly accept you at His feet. It is impossible to realize Him without His grace.”

Monk: “Maharaj, what you say is of course true. But the ego is obstinate, and I find it difficult to get rid of it. What can I do? The more I try to convince my mind, the more it refuses to be convinced. It appears to us that we can accomplish things through effort. Yet it is as impossible as it would be for a dwarf to reach the moon. Please bless me, so that I may get rid of the ego and pride and can surrender myself at the feet of God.”

Mahapurushji: “You will achieve that, my child. I say, through the Master’s grace you will be blessed by surrendering yourself to him. You will attain the consummation of your life.”

7 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. One noon, at the monastery at Belur, Mahapurushji was resting in his room. A monastic disciple was standing near, quietly fanning him. There was no one else in the room. Suddenly Mahapurushji said: “Look here! Men of the world think that the knowledge of Brahman is something impossible to attain, but a knower of Brahman thinks, on the contrary, that it should be impossible for a man to remain ignorant, being attached to the world.” These words—quiet, solemn and full of love—impressed the disciple so much that they were imprinted in his memory for all time.

Another day, addressing a monk, Mahapurushji said: “What kind of scriptures are you reading, L.? Can you read our lives? Our lives are the Upanishads. You will find there (within our lives) the essence of the scriptures.” The sadhus present in the room took these words literally. As a matter of fact, if one reads the life stories of illumined souls, which are verily Vedas, one will automatically understand the spirit of the scriptures.

One day, the same monk went to Swami Saradananda with a copy of the rules and regulations formulated by Swami Vivekananda for the guidance of the monastery at Belur. The monk wanted to know how much of this booklet containing the rules was Swamiji’s personal opinion and if Swami Saradananda had anything different to say about the rules. One by one all the rules were read and Swami Saradananda explained clearly that each rule was based upon the experience and teaching of Sri Ramakrishna. Finally, he remarked that he had nothing different to say regarding them, and he asked the disciple to approach Mahapurushji with his questions. The moment the disciple asked Mahapurushji, he simply repeated what Swami Saradananda had remarked, saying: “Look here! The Master is the Veda and Swamiji is its commentary. We have nothing to say other than what they have said.”

8 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. Once, in Varanasi, during a conversation Mahapurushji said to the sadhus of the monastery there: “One should not brag about one’s spiritual practices. Even if you have attained nirvikalpa samadhi, what of that? You would simply have become what you already are. There is nothing to brag of in that.” What wonderful spiritual power and absence of ego are contained in those simple words!

Once, at the Belur Math, Mahapurushji said: “In those days we were living at Almora with Swamiji. When a devotee asked us if we could do thought-reading, Swamiji called me to one side and taught me how to do it. He said, ‘If you want to read someone’s thought, first make your mind a blank, and then whatever thought arises in your mind, know to be the thought of your inquirer.’” Upon hearing Swamiji’s explanation, I said to the devotee: “Well, shall I tell you what you have in your mind?” Saying this, I made my mind a blank by meditation and then I became aware of a particular thought arising in it. I said to the devotee: “Was this your thought?” He admitted that it was.

9 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932. Once Mahapurushji, accompanied by many sadhus, brahmacharins and devotees, went to Deoghar to dedicate the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith (school) and he stayed there about a month. During that time the sadhus and brahmacharins of the Vidyapith had the benefit of his holy association and instruction. Those days passed very happily. One day, suddenly, he had a chill which developed into a very bad cold and an attack of asthma. One morning a monk, while paying his respects to the Swami, found that he was having difficulty in speaking because of the aggravation of his ailment, and yet smilingly the Swami inquired, “How are you?”

Monk: “I am, of course, well. How did you feel last night?”

Mahapurushji: “I suffered a great deal last night. I felt almost suffocated. The passages of my nose became stopped up because of my cold and the asthma was very much aggravated. I didn’t feel at ease either sitting, reclining or lying down. I surrounded myself with pillows, as you find me now, and leaned my head against them. Even that did not relieve my suffering. Gradually I felt as if all my senses would stop, and my life would leave the body. Being at a loss what to do, I started meditating. It being the meditation of an old man (that is to say, one with many years of experience in meditation), my mind soon became absorbed within. I noticed then that there was no pain or suffering and the mind became quiet and placid. The storm and stress of the outer world could not penetrate there. After remaining in that state awhile, my mind came down to the external world and I noticed that the pain had become very much less.”

Monk: “What is this state?”

10 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1932.

When Mahapurushji went to Varanasi for the last time, once during conversation he remarked: 'The entire city of Varanasi is the body of Shiva. We are living in Shiva.'

On another occasion he said: 'Varanasi is the great cremation ground. It is not proper for householders to live a worldly life here. Only those who call upon the Lord and take His name should live here.'

On returning from Varanasi he suffered from an ailment which seemed to have affected his nervous system. Noticing that the medicine was doing no good, one day the monk to whom he had spoken the above words, asked Mahapurushji privately: 'The doctors have diagnosed your case as a nervous disease, but I feel this is a symptom of a yogic state, because you had this ailment immediately after your return from Varanasi. Did you have any spiritual experience in Varanasi?'

Mahapurushji: 'Yes, in Varanasi I had a vision of a white-complexioned figure and since then I have had this ailment.'

Place: Belur Math, Time: October 1918.

A young man, having seen Mahapurushji Maharaj in a dream, had informed him about it in a letter. Now he was at the Belur Math for a few days with his permission.

One morning, when Mahapurushji had just returned from the shrine, the young man saluted him with all reverence and said: `Maharaj, you were kind enough to reveal yourself to me in a dream: now it is my sincerest desire that you should very graciously initiate me with a mantra.'

As he spoke, he broke into tears and held Mahapurushji's feet with both hands.

The boy's eagerness touched Mahapurushji's heart, and he said with affection: 'My son, I bless you heartily that your devotion, faith, and love for Sri Ramakrishna may be ever on the increase; and that you may advance towards him apace.

As for initiation, I know nothing about it, nor do I give initiation to anyone.' The Master has not implanted the guru-consciousness in my mind. I am simply his servant, his slave, his son.

Besides, I have not yet received from Sri Ramakrishna any mandate to give initiation.

This much only I know that the name `Ramakrishna' is the greatest mantra in this age; whoever will take his name with faith will have devotion and liberation, as accomplished facts. `Ramakrishna' is the glorious Name of this age.

To have liberation, it is enough if one makes japa (mental repetition) of his name. To me, it does not appear that there is any need for initiation over and above that. There cannot be the least doubt that anyone who will take refuge in the Master with all his being will be liberated.

'He who is Rama, he who is Krishna, has in this age incarnated himself as Sri Ramakrishna for the liberation of living beings.'

11 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

The boy's eagerness touched Mahapurushji's heart, and he said with affection: "My son, I bless you heartily that your devotion, faith, and love for Sri Ramakrishna may be ever on the increase; and that you may advance towards him apace. As for initiation, I know nothing about it, nor do I give initiation to anyone. The Master has not implanted the guru-consciousness in my mind. I am simply his servant, his slave, his son. Besides, I have not yet received from Sri Ramakrishna any mandate to give initiation. This much only I know that the name 'Ramakrishna' is the greatest mantra in this age; whoever will take his name with faith will have devotion and liberation, as accomplished facts. 'Ramakrishna' is the glorious Name of this age. To have liberation, it is enough if one makes japa (mental repetition) of his name. To me, it does not appear that there is any need for initiation over and above that. There cannot be the least doubt that anyone who will take refuge in the Master with all his being will be liberated. He who is Rama, he who is Krishna, has in this age incarnated himself as Sri Ramakrishna for the liberation of living beings."

The devotee: "I call on Sri Ramakrishna as much as I can with all sincerity, and I pray to him as well. Also I fully believe that he is God Himself who has incarnated for fulfilling the needs of this age. You are one of his intimate apostles. I firmly believe that, if your grace descends on me, my life will be wholly fulfilled."

Mahapurushji: "It goes without saying that I have your good at heart. Else why should I talk so much? I earnestly pray that you may have the highest good. Now that you believe through his grace that Sri Ramakrishna is God incarnate on earth, you need have no more worry. You are indeed blessed, for it is only because of the good deeds of many past lives that one comes to believe in God's incarnation. You have that faith already; why should you worry any more? Believe me when I say that you will certainly get freed from the bondage of this world. Go on calling on him from the bottom of your heart and pray to him in all humility. He will make your faith all the firmer, and your heart will be filled with faith and devotion."

The Devotee: "How should I make japa? Is there any rule for this?"

Mahapurushji: "Japa is but mentally uttering God's name again and again with love. Go on doing so, and that practice will bring you joy. There is no set rule for japa; you can do it at all times and under all conditions—while walking, eating, lying down, sleeping, or dreaming. The one thing that matters is love."

12 January 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Turiyanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(SPIRITUAL TALKS)

"Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'Be converted into gold and then you may remain even in an unclean place. You will then remain gold throughout.'

"It is not good to give up the world simply because one has not been successful in it. People sometimes wake up only to fall asleep again. 'One can rouse a man who is really asleep, but it is difficult to knock up one who is only feigning.'

"Really speaking, it doesn't take one much time to attain Realization. But men are apt to 'fall asleep', which means that past impressions are too strong for them. One must summon up all one's resolution and rouse oneself—determined to do or die."

Jai Ramakrishna 13 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

Mahapurushji: "The more earnestness you have in your practice, the greater will be the joy. He dwells in our hearts and adjudges everything in accordance with how the heart acts. If the heart has the true craving, if you call on Him with sincere longing, the result will be directly perceptible. Like a child demanding things from its father with tearful eyes, crave for faith, devotion, and love from Him; you are sure to get them. He is living and wakeful God, the saviour of the fallen, the remover of the sins of this iron age, full of the supreme compassion, the lover of His devotees, and full of love. Go on calling on Him all the time. In addition to this constant remembrance, it is very necessary to sit for japa regularly in the morning and in the evening every day at a fixed place and at a fixed time. Go on doing so."

The Devotee: "How shall I meditate, Maharaj? I try to meditate, but I don't know what meditation really is, and I don't succeed much in concentrating the mind."

Mahapurushji: "It is a bit difficult to have concentration in the initial stages. Meditation becomes more natural when one gets real love for God because of His grace and one's constant prayer and japa. Instead of starting with meditation, it is much better, in the first stage, to sit before the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna like a tearful child with a persistent demand, and pray with earnestness to him who is ever holy, free from passion and lucre, pure, untouched by sin, full of compassion, the prophet of this age, and the teacher of the world. Pray thus: 'Lord, you incarnated yourself to save the world, and you suffered all kinds of pain for the good of humanity. Here am I, a lowly poor creature, without spiritual practices, adoration, knowledge, devotion, faith, and love.'"

13 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

Mahapurushji: “The more earnestness you have in your practice, the greater will be the joy. He dwells in our hearts and adjudges everything in accordance with how the heart acts. If the heart has the true craving, if you call on Him with sincere longing, the result will be directly perceptible. Like a child demanding things from its father with tearful eyes, crave for faith, devotion, and love from Him; you are sure to get them. He is living and wakeful God, the saviour of the fallen, the remover of the sins of this iron age, full of the supreme compassion, the lover of His devotees, and full of love. Go on calling on Him all the time. In addition to this constant remembrance, it is very necessary to sit for japa regularly in the morning and in the evening every day at a fixed place and at a fixed time. Go on doing so.”

The Devotee: “How shall I meditate, Maharaj? I try to meditate, but I don't know what meditation really is, and I don't succeed much in concentrating the mind.”

Mahapurushji: “It is a bit difficult to have concentration in the initial stages. Meditation becomes more natural when one gets real love for God because of His grace and one's constant prayer and japa. Instead of starting with meditation, it is much better, in the first stage, to sit before the portrait of Sri Ramakrishna like a tearful child with a persistent demand, and pray with earnestness to him who is ever holy, free from passion and lucre, pure, untouched by sin, full of compassion, the prophet of this age, and the teacher of the world. Pray thus: ‘Lord, you incarnated yourself to save the world, and you suffered all kinds of pain for the good of humanity. Here am I, a lowly poor creature, without spiritual practices, adoration, knowledge, devotion, faith, and love. Be gracious, and fill me with faith, devotion, knowledge, love and purity; make my human birth fruitful. Be gracious enough to reveal yourself in my heart; grant me your vision. One of your own spiritual sons taught me to pray like this. Take pity on me.’”

14 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

“If you go on praying, his grace will descend. Then the mind will be calmed, and it will remain fixed in japa and meditation. You will be filled with love and joy, and hope will dawn in you. Pray earnestly in this way and then make japa just as I have told you. If you go on making japa of his holy name, meditation will gradually become natural to you. As you go on repeating his name, try to visualize with the fullest conviction that he is looking at you affectionately. When this kind of thought continues for a long time, it becomes meditation. When you make the japa, pray thus: ‘Lord, help me to have deep meditation.’ He will surely grant the prayer; have no doubt about that. He is the guru in everybody's heart. He is the Guide, the Lord, Father, Mother, and Friend. Meditation consists in lovingly thinking of his gracious form or his auspicious qualities in whatever way you can. For the present, you go on practising thus. As you progress, he himself will tell you from within, whenever the occasion arises, how you are to proceed further in your meditation. Pray with the greatest yearning, and weep. Tears will wash away the dirt from the heart, and he will reveal his true nature there out of his own grace. All this does not come in a single day, all of a sudden. Continue in your effort diligently and call on him. The response is bound to come, and with it bliss.”

Jai Ramakrishna On this Holy Samkranti May Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda bless us all with Bhakti and Jnanam.

15 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

The devotee: But the trouble is that I do not have that yearning itself. How can this yearning for realizing him be increased, Maharaj?

Mahapurushji: As for yearning, my son, nobody can teach it to another; it comes of itself when the time is ripe. The more you feel the want of the Lord within you, the more intense will be the yearning in the heart. If it does not come, you should know that the hour has not struck yet. The mother knows best which child must be fed when. If there is any delay, it is because the mother thinks that the child should have its food later. Her reason is best known to her.

The Lord is our Mother. One must take refuge in Her with the fullest confidence and in a spirit of self-surrender. She is not just like an earthly mother; she knows our internal feelings. She knows perfectly well when a particular child wants the vision of Her earnestly and She does oblige accordingly at the right moment. Go on earnestly calling on Her, go on repeating Her name. Take refuge in Her with complete self-surrender. She will ordain all that is necessary, and that at the right moment.

Purity is the foundation of a spiritual life. God reveals Himself soon in a pure heart. Try to remain pure in body, speech, and mind. You are a student now; a student's life is very pure. Sri Ramakrishna used to love very much boys who had pure hearts which were free from worldly hankerings. A mind that is untainted by worldliness will be soon enlightened.

The other things necessary are faith and conviction. With your heart full of sincerity and faith, accept the instructions I have given you, and start practising them accordingly. You will see that the Lord will be gracious towards you, and you will be filled with joy.

The main point is that one must practise the disciplines. The Master would say: "If one wants to be intoxicated, it won't do simply to go on uttering the name of the intoxicant. One must procure the drug, diligently prepare it, and drink it. Then only can one become inebriated." Similarly, repeat God's name, meditate on Him, and pray to Him from the bottom of your heart; then only you will have bliss.

16 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

The devotee: I came to you with the great hope of being initiated by you. Be kind to me, Maharaj.

Mahapurushji: I told you, my son, that I have not received any mandate so far from the Master about giving initiation. But you need not worry about initiation. Go on calling on him sincerely; he will hear your prayer and fulfil your wish. Know it for certain that, when the time for your initiation arrives, he himself will arrange everything propitiously. I also add my prayer that you may have the fullest faith in, and complete reliance on the Master. 17 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

At that time the Holy Mother was staying in the `Udbodhan' office in Baghbazar, Calcutta.

Swami Saradananda also was there, while Swami Brahmananda and Swami Turiyananda lived in the house of the late Balaram Bose in the same locality of the city.

After staying at the Belur Math for some days, the devotee expressed a desire to go to Calcutta to see the Holy Mother and the other intimate associates of the Master.

When he asked for Mahapurushji's permission, he said: 'You must go, most certainly.

To think that you should miss seeing them when you are so near!

It is your great good fortune that they are all in Calcutta at this time.

One hardly gets such an opportunity.

`First, go to Baghbazar to see the Holy Mother.

She is the Mother of us all, none other than the Mother of the Universe Herself.

She incarnated herself to fulfil the mission of the Master.

The world is blessed by her very presence.

None of us can understand her.

Who, indeed, can understand her, since she is so guarded in the expression of her divine moods?

She eludes everybody's mental grasp.

She lives like an ordinary housewife, attending to her chores and meeting the needs of the devotees.

Who ever can divine that she is none other than the Divine Mother herself?

The Master told me one day: "The Mother who is there in the temple (of Kali) and this Mother in the concert tower are the same."

`Make your obeisance to the Mother and pray earnestly for faith and devotion.

One can get devotion or liberation only when the Mother is pleased.

There is Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda) also at the 'Udbodhan' office, a most devoted attendant of the Holy Mother; you must see him as well.

If you request him, he will arrange for you to see the Mother.

After being blessed by the Mother, go to Balaram Bose's house, where you will find Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda).

On reaching there tell them that I have sent you from the Belur Math to be blessed by them, and they will bless you.

`Maharaj is none other than the mind-born son of the Master.

When you get his blessing, know that it is as good as the Master's.

The world is now deriving the spiritual power of the Master through him.

Hari Maharaj is, as it were, Shukadeva himself—a veritable manifestation of Vedanta in human form, a knower of Brahman.

So long as they are on this earth, humanity is getting immense benefit by seeing them and having holy association with them, and from their blessing.

After this, they will reveal themselves only during meditation, and one will have the vision of them in one's mind only, with great effort.

This is a very auspicious time.

Go and see them with deep reverence.

When you return home, meditate on the days you have spent in this monastery on the holy river Ganga, amidst so many monks of great spiritual attainments.

That will make your mind holy.

You are blessed.'

18 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922.

Mahapurush Maharaj visited Dacca at the beginning of 1922.

While staying at the monastery there, one evening he joined in the Gauravasa, the assembly of devotees, at their earnest request.

As the news of his coming visit spread, many devoted men and women, monks and brahmacharins assembled at the place. 19 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922. A Brahmacharin: “When the mind becomes affected by unworthy ideas, what shall we do, Maharaj?”

In answer to this, Mahapurushji said in a stern voice: “People in whose heart’s passion stirs up under all circumstances at the very sight of women, are not only not fit to be monks at all; they are not even fit to live in human society. The remedy for them is to retire to a solitary place that is entirely free from women, where they may not even have sight of women. They should return to society after totally eradicating those beastly propensities through hard spiritual practices. Society, too, has its own rules, its own discipline.”

17 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery, 1918.

At that time the Holy Mother was staying in the `Udbodhan' office in Baghbazar, Calcutta. Swami Saradananda also was there, while Swami Brahmananda and Swami Turiyananda lived in the house of the late Balaram Bose in the same locality of the city.

After staying at the Belur Math for some days, the devotee expressed a desire to go to Calcutta to see the Holy Mother and the other intimate associates of the Master.

When he asked for Mahapurushji's permission, he said: 'You must go, most certainly. To think that you should miss seeing them when you are so near! It is your great good fortune that they are all in Calcutta at this time. One hardly gets such an opportunity.

`First, go to Baghbazar to see the Holy Mother. She is the Mother of us all. none other than the Mother of the Universe Herself. She incarnated herself to fulfil the mission of the Master. The world is blessed by her very presence. None of us can understand her. Who, indeed, can understand her, since she is so guarded in the expression of her divine moods? She eludes everybody's mental grasp.

She lives like an ordinary housewife, attending to her chores and meeting the needs of the devotees. Who ever can divine that she is none other than the Divine Mother herself?

The Master told me one day: "The Mother who is there in the temple (of Kali) and this Mother in the concert tower are the same."

`Make your obeisance to the Mother and pray earnestly for faith and devotion. One can get devotion or liberation only when the Mother is pleased.

There is Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda) also at the 'Udbodhan' office, a most devoted attendant of the Holy Mother; you must see him as well. If you request him, he will arrange for you to see the Mother. After being blessed by the Mother, go to Balaram Bose's house, where you will find Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda). On reaching there tell them that I have sent you from the Belur Math to be blessed by them, and they will bless you.

`Maharaj is none other than the mind-born son of the Master. When you get his blessing, know that it is as good as the Master's. The world is now deriving the spiritual power of the Master through him. Hari Maharaj is, as it were, Shukadeva himself—a veritable manifestation of Vedanta in human form, a knower of Brahman.

So long as they are on this earth, humanity is getting immense benefit by seeing them and having holy association with them, and from their blessing. After this, they will reveal themselves only during meditation, and one will have the vision of them in one's mind only, with great effort.

This is a very auspicious time. Go and see them with deep reverence. When you return home, meditate on the days you have spent in this monastery on the holy river Ganga, amidst so many monks of great spiritual attainments. That will make your mind holy. You are blessed.'

18 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922. Mahapurush Maharaj visited Dacca at the beginning of 1922. While staying at the monastery there, one evening he joined in the Gauravasa, the assembly of devotees, at their earnest request. As the news of his coming visit spread, many devoted men and women, monks and brahmacharins assembled at the place. In accordance with the practice of the assembly, a devotee first sang a religious song beginning with the words, ‘Lose yourself, O black bee of my mind, at the lotus feet of Sri Ramakrishna’ etc. Next, the Kathamrita (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) was to have been read. But the devotees were eager to hear Mahapurushji. He, however, insisted on the Kathamrita being read; and so, the reading started. At one place, in connection with the strict rules of a monk’s life, the Master says: “For a monk, it is incumbent to give up lucre and passion. He must not even look at the picture of a woman.”

In this context, a brahmacharin asked Mahapurushji: “Maharaj, the Master says that a holy man should not so much as look at the picture of a woman, whereas we have even to speak with them in connection with the various duties we undertake. How are we to acquit ourselves under such circumstances?”

Mahapurushji kept silent for a few moments, and then said: “Look here, my son, did you not live with your mother and sisters at home? When you must talk with women in connection with your duties, have the same unsophisticated mind and the same childlike attitude as you had at home with the women of your family. Have the idea in your mind that they are your mothers and sisters. But it goes without saying that, unless a special necessity arises, it is best to avoid conversations with women, even though they be devotees, and particularly so when alone. You can talk about the necessary matters in public. You must embrace the monastic life; you should always keep your vows intact and your ideal before you whenever you take a step in any direction. You should look upon all women as the veritable manifestations of the Mother of the universe. This is spiritual discipline for you.”

19 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922. 20 January 2025 (Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922. On another occasion, a monastic member of the Dacca monastery said to Mahapurushji with a heavy heart: "Raja Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) told me, 'Whatever else you may do, you must not forget to make japa in the mornings and evenings.' And yet the nature of my work is such—holding religious classes and conducting religious songs in groups—that I must go out in the evenings at least five days a week. I have no time to sit for japa in the evenings. This upsets me very much." In answer, Mahapurushji said: "Look here, these classes and songs that you conduct should be looked upon by you as being on a par with spiritual practices, like japa and meditation. To sing the glory of the Lord, or to read or discuss about Him, is as good as any religious practice. Keep this idea ever present in your mind, that you are doing His work alone. It will bring immense benefit to you, if you should think of these duties as service to Him. After returning from your work of songs and classes, you should sit for japa and meditation whenever you have a little time in hand—you must practise japa regularly, even, if necessary, just before going to sleep. You have got to obey Maharaj's order properly."A devotee asked him: "The Master used to say that one cannot realize God so long as one has the least vestige of desire for worldly things, just as a thread cannot pass through the eye of a needle so long as even a single fibre juts out. But our minds are full of innumerable passions and desires. 21 January 2025

(Today is the Blessed Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Vivekananda. On this Holy day may Swamiji bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

20 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Dacca, 1922. On another occasion, a monastic member of the Dacca monastery said to Mahapurushji with a heavy heart: “Raja Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) told me, ‘Whatever else you may do, you must not forget to make japa in the mornings and evenings.’ And yet the nature of my work is such—holding religious classes and conducting religious songs in groups—that I must go out in the evenings at least five days a week. I have no time to sit for japa in the evenings. This upsets me very much.”

In answer, Mahapurushji said: “Look here, these classes and songs that you conduct should be looked upon by you as being on a par with spiritual practices, like japa and meditation. To sing the glory of the Lord, or to read or discuss about Him, is as good as any religious practice. Keep this idea ever present in your mind, that you are doing His work alone. It will bring immense benefit to you, if you should think of these duties as service to Him. After returning from your work of songs and classes, you should sit for japa and meditation whenever you have a little time in hand—you must practise japa regularly, even, if necessary, just before going to sleep. You have got to obey Maharaj’s order properly.”

A devotee asked him: “The Master used to say that one cannot realize God so long as one has the least vestige of desire for worldly things, just as a thread cannot pass through the eye of a needle so long as even a single fibre juts out. But our minds are full of innumerable passions and desires. What is the way for us?”

Mahapurushji kept silent for a while and then said: “There is a way. To your mind, which is the thread, apply a little oil and water in the form of faith and devotion, and carefully twist in the loose fibres of your passions and desires. Then the mind will easily merge at the blessed lotus feet of the Lord. Call on Him with all earnestness and tell Him of the extreme misery you feel in not being blessed with the vision of Him. He is very kind to those who take refuge in Him, and He never betrays the trust one has in Him.”

21 January 2025

(Today is the Blessed Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Vivekananda. On this Holy day may Swamiji bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

At the touch of Sri Ramakrishna

Narendra allowed the various preoccupations of his daily life to prevent him from keeping his promise to repeat the visit; and it was not until nearly a month later that he set `out alone on foot to the temple-garden of Dakshineswar.

The following is the description of this meeting given by Narendra to some of his brother disciples:

I did not realize then that the temple-garden of Dakshineswar was so far from Calcutta, since on the previous occasion I had gone there in a carriage. The road seemed to me so long as to be almost endless.

However, I reached the garden somehow and went straight to Shri Ramakrishna's room. I found him sitting alone on the small bedstead. He was glad to see me and, calling me affectionately to his side, made me sit beside him on the bed.

But the next moment I found him overcome with a sort of emotion. Muttering something to himself, with his eyes fixed on me, he slowly drew near me.

I thought he might do something queer as on the previous occasion. But in the twinkling of an eye, he placed his right foot on my body. The touch at once gave rise to a novel experience within me.

With my eyes open I saw that the walls, and everything in the room, whirled rapidly and vanished into naught, and the whole universe together with my individuality was about to merge in an all-encompassing mysterious void!

I was terribly frightened and thought that I was facing death, for the loss of individuality meant nothing short of that. Unable to control myself I cried out, "What is it that you are doing to me! I have my parents at home!"

He laughed aloud at this and stroking my chest said, "All right, let it rest now. Everything will come in time!"

The wonder of it was that no sooner had he said this than that strange experience of mine vanished. I was myself again and found everything within and without the room as it had been before.

All this happened in less time than it takes me to narrate it; but it revolutionized my mind. Amazed, I wondered what it could possibly be. It came and went at the mere wish of this amazing man!

I began to question whether it was mesmerism or hypnotism. But that was not likely, for these acted only on weak minds, and I prided myself on having just the reverse. I had not as yet surrendered myself to the stronger personality of the man. Rather I had taken him to be a monomaniac.

So, to what might this sudden transformation of mine be due? I could not come to any conclusion. It was an enigma, I thought, which I had better not attempt to solve. I was determined, however, to be on my guard and not to give him another chance to exert a similar influence over me.

The next moment I thought, how can a man who shatters to pieces a resolute and strong mind like mine be dismissed as a lunatic? Yet that was just the conclusion at which one would arrive from his effusiveness on our first meeting, unless he were an Incarnation of God, which was indeed a far cry.

So, I was in a dilemma about the real nature of my experience as well as about the truth of this wonderful man, who was obviously as pure and simple as a child. My rationalistic mind received an unpleasant rebuff at this failure in judging the true state of things.

But I was determined to fathom the mystery somehow.

22 January 2025

(At the touch of Sri Ramakrishna)

A few days after the above experience, Narendranath paid his third visit to the Master at Dakshineswar. Though he was determined not to be overpowered this time, yet he fared no better than previously. Shri Ramakrishna took him that day to the adjacent garden of Jadunath Mallik. After a stroll they sat down in the parlour. Soon Shri Ramakrishna went into a trance and in that state touched Narendranath. In spite of his precautions Naren was totally overwhelmed and immediately lost all outward consciousness. When he came to himself after a while, he found the Master stroking his chest. Naren had no idea of what had happened during this period; but it was then that the Master learned many strange things about him.

Referring to this incident, Shri Ramakrishna later said: "I put several questions to him while he was in that state. I asked him about his antecedents and where he lived, his mission in this world and the duration of his mortal life. He dived deep into himself and gave fitting answers to my questions. They only confirmed what I had seen and inferred about him. Those things shall be a secret, but I came to know that he was a Rishi who had attained perfection, a past master in meditation, and that the day he knew his real nature, he would give up the body through Yoga, by an act of will."

These revelations did not come as a surprise to the Master; for wonderful things had been revealed to him about Naren even before this great disciple came to Dakshineswar.

23 January 2025

(At the touch of Sri Ramakrishna)

Sri Ramakrishna had a vision of Narendra as one of the seven Rishis.

This is how Sri Ramakrishna spoke of it:

One day I found that my mind was soaring high in Samadhi along a luminous path. It soon transcended the stellar universe and entered the subtler region of ideas. As it ascended higher and higher, I found on both sides of the way ideal forms of gods and goddesses. The mind then reached the outer limits of that region, where a luminous barrier separated the sphere of relative existence from that of the Absolute. Crossing that barrier, the mind entered the transcendental realm where no corporeal being was visible. Even the gods dared not peep into that sublime realm but had to be content to keep their seats far below. The next moment I found seven venerable sages seated there in Samadhi. It occurred to me that these sages must have surpassed not only men, but even the gods, in knowledge and holiness, in renunciation and love. Lost in admiration, I was reflecting on their greatness, when I saw a portion of that undifferentiated luminous region condense into the form of a divine child. The child came to one of the sages, tenderly clasped his neck with his lovely little arms, and addressing him in a sweet voice attempted to drag his mind down from the state of Samadhi. The magic touch of the child roused the sage from his superconscious state, and he fixed his unmoving, half-open gaze upon that wonderful child. His beaming countenance showed that the child must have been the treasure of his heart. In great joy the strange child said to him, “I am going down. You too must go with me.”

The sage remained mute, but his tender look expressed his assent. As he kept gazing on the child, he was again immersed in Samadhi. I was surprised to find that a fragment of the sage’s body and mind was descending on earth in the form of an effulgent light. No sooner had I seen Naren than I recognized him to be that sage.

[Subsequent inquiry elicited from Shri Ramakrishna the admission that the divine child was none other than himself.]

24 January 2025

(At the touch of Sri Ramakrishna)

Narendra’s doubt and Sri Ramakrishna’s reply

It was now only three or four days before the Master's Mahasamadhi. Shri Ramakrishna called Naren to him. Looking steadfastly at him, he entered into deep meditation. Naren felt as though a subtle force, resembling an electric shock, were entering his body. He lost outer consciousness. When he came to, he found the Master weeping. Wondering, Naren asked him why he wept, and was told, "O Naren, today I have given you my all and have become a Fakir, a penniless beggar. By the force of the power transmitted by me, great things will be done by you; only after that will you go where you came from."

A couple of days before the Master's passing away, when Narendra and a few others were standing by his bed at night, a curious thought flashed across Naren's mind: "The Master has said many a time that he is an Incarnation of God. If he now says in the midst of the throes of death, in this terrible moment of human anguish and physical pain, 'I am God Incarnate', then I will believe."

No sooner this thought came to Narendra than the Master turned towards him and, summoning all his energy, said, "O my Naren, are you not yet convinced? He who was Rama, He who was Krishna, He Himself is now Ramakrishna in this body: not in your Vedantic sense [according to which each soul is potentially divine], but actually so."

Naren was dumbfounded. He was stricken with remorse and shame for having doubted his beloved Master even for a moment, in spite of so many revelations he had had from him (the Master) in the past. By these words, Shri Ramakrishna conveyed to his disciples the momentous truth that the personalities of all the divine Incarnations of the past were the same Personality (the Purushottama), revealing Itself variously in different human forms according to the needs of the time: nay more, that he himself (Shri Ramakrishna) was that Personality—which is called God.

25 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Mahapurushji to an initiated devotee: “Now engage yourself in spiritual practices with the help of the valuable gift you have received; you will have your desire fulfilled. A true devotee relies on the Lord under all circumstances, like a kitten on its mother. He calls on Him with tears and prays to Him with all humility. He alone knows when to grant the vision of Himself to the devotee. Take refuge in Him and keep waiting at His door, praying all the while with heart and soul for full faith, devotion, and love. He will fill your heart to the brim.”

The devotee: “Please teach me a little how I should meditate and make japa. I have to remain ever engrossed in my worldly duties. Besides, the responsibilities of my post are no less exacting. Kindly bless me that I may become free from these bondages, so as to be able to call on God.”

Mahapurushji: “As for our blessing, it is always there to be sure. You, too, have to engage yourself in spiritual practices with determination. Go on making regular japa of the mantra you have received today. And along with japa, pray with all humility: ‘Lord, bless me so that I may meditate on You and so that my mind may lose itself at Your lotus feet.’ And He is sure to do so, rest assured. He is the guru in everybody’s heart—the Guide, Master, Father, Mother, Friend, in fact everything, to a man. All for whom people cry in this world, thinking they are their own, will live for a few days only; the eternal companion is He alone. Go on repeating His name with full sincerity, and you will find that meditation will follow as a natural development. When one goes on repeating the name of the Chosen Deity with intense love, one becomes gradually filled with an ineffable bliss. When that bliss becomes continuous, it is also a kind of meditation. Meditations are of various kinds. Go on meditating on the blessed, effulgent form of the Lord with the greatest love, and imagine that every recess of your heart shines with the light emanating from His form. As you go on thinking thus, you will feel that your whole being becomes suffused with inexpressible joy. Gradually the form also will get dissolved, and you will have the feeling of a kind of bliss associated with consciousness. This also is a kind of meditation.”

26 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Mahapurushji: “There are innumerable other kinds of meditation which you will yourself come to know by stages. The main thing that counts is to call on Him with all sincerity. As you go on calling on Him and weeping for Him, all the dirt in your mind will be washed away, and it will become purified. Then, that pure mind itself will act as guru to you. You will get all the answers from within yourself to all the questions that you may have—about what you need at a particular time, how you should meditate, how you should call on Him, and all such things.”

Jai Ramakrishna 27 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

‘You are leading a householder’s life; very well. But that is no reason why you should lose yourself in the world. Do your duty by all but do so with the idea of it as service to God. The Lord is infinitely kind to you. Thousands there are who have to run madly after food and raiment; they are so much occupied with the thoughts of the bare necessities of life that they hardly get any time to think of God. But you do not have to worry about these physical needs. This is no inconsiderable mercy of God. God creates all the necessary opportunities for those who are sincere devotees. When all fall asleep at dead of night, rise up to call on Him with your whole being, and become one with Him. Tell Him of the yearning of your heart with tears in your eyes. Midnight is the best time for spiritual practices. You have the auspicious signs of a man of spirituality; you are bound to succeed. That is why I am talking thus to you. Be up and doing at the beginning, and you will find that your whole being will be filled with an ineffable joy; you will lose yourself in the current of that inebriating bliss. Can there be any comparison of that with the hollow joys of this world? Worldly pleasures appear insipid to one who gets even an inkling of that divine joy.’

27 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

'You are leading a householder's life; very well. But that is no reason why you should lose yourself in the world. Do your duty by all but do so with the idea of it as service to God.

The Lord is infinitely kind to you. Thousands there are who have to run madly after food and raiment; they are so much occupied with the thoughts of the bare necessities of life that they hardly get any time to think of God. But you do not have to worry about these physical needs. This is no inconsiderable mercy of God. God creates all the necessary opportunities for those who are sincere devotees.

`When all fall asleep at dead of night, rise up to call on Him with your whole being, and become one with Him. Tell Him of the yearning of your heart with tears in your eyes.

Midnight is the best time for spiritual practices. You have the auspicious signs of a man of spirituality; you are bound to succeed. That is why I am talking thus to you. Be up and doing at the beginning, and you will find that your whole being will be filled with an ineffable joy; you will lose yourself in the current of that inebriating bliss. Can there be any comparison of that with the hollow joys of this world? Worldly pleasures appear insipid to one who gets even an inkling of that divine joy.'

28 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

On Japa

The devotee: “Should I keep count when making japa? Kindly tell me what should be the number of times I should repeat that mantra, and how I should do it.”

Mahapurushji: “Japa can be performed in three ways, with the help of a rosary, counting on the fingers, or mentally. Mental japa is the best. Tulasidas said: ‘One who tells his beads is inferior; one who repeats the mantra with the help of his fingers is commendable; but the highest praise goes to one who does it all mentally.’

If one cultivates the habit of making japa mentally, one can go on doing it at all times and under all circumstances, even while moving about, eating, or lying down in bed. When this becomes a firm habit, it will continue even during sleep and generate a current of joy in the mind. But in the beginning, it is good to fix a definite number for the daily japa. You should sit for japa with steadfastness at least twice a day, morning and evening, and repeat the mantra for a definite number of times. It should not be less than a thousand each time in your case; if you can increase that number, it will be still better. You can keep count with the help of a rosary or on your fingers.”

Saying this, he showed how to keep count on the fingers. “The Master used to say,” he continued, “that the name and the Being named are one and the same. As you repeat the mantra of the Chosen Deity, think of His form as well; thus, you can have both japa and meditation simultaneously. God dwells in the heart, and He sees how earnest one is in calling on Him. He does not care for either the number or the time. To call on Him even once only with a sincere mind is more effective than making the japa of the mantra for a hundred thousand times with an unsteady mind. What is wanted is intensity, yearning and sincerity. Once you have the yearning in your mind, success is near at hand. All this does not happen in a single day. Persist in your efforts with determination, and everything will come about in due course. And come to the monastery now and then. Many monks live here; you should associate with them. Even the sight of holy men generates thoughts about God in one’s heart.”

29 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

On Japa

‘If, in the course of your spiritual endeavours, you are beset with any doubt, you can refer to me. That is exactly why the Master has kept us here. However, the truth is that if one has sincerity, one is seldom beset by doubts, or even if a doubt arises, God Himself gets it solved from within. Sincerity, earnestness, purity—these form the main foundation of a spiritual life. I hope you have read the story of the highway robber Ratnakara, who attained perfection by repeating the words “Mara, Mara.”’

Faith in Guru

‘One must have faith in the guru, the faith of a child. All doubts have their lodgement in things outside. The more the mind becomes indrawn, and the more it approaches the innermost core, the more free it becomes from doubts. Then pure bliss reigns supreme; the mind becomes suffused with divine love. Of course, it is true that all doubts cannot be dispelled till one is face to face with God Himself. “When the Self, which is both high and low, is realized, the knot of the heart gets untied, all doubts are solved, and all one’s actions are dissipated.”’

30 January 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 1923. A devotee from Sind was initiated today by Mahapurushji. The devotee had received a mantra in his dream while at home; but as he could not understand what it all meant, his mind had become extremely restless since receiving the mantra. So, he wrote to Mahapurushji explaining his predicament, and begged for an interview. When permission was granted, he hurried from that distant place to Belur Math to be at the feet of Mahapurushji. It was about 10 o’clock in the morning. Mahapurushji washed himself with Ganga water, put on a piece of new cloth, and entered the shrine, where he initiated the devotee after worshipping Sri Ramakrishna duly. After this, as he returned from the shrine to his own room over the connecting terrace, one could notice a divine aura on his face. Instead of sitting on the chair in his room as usual, he moved about with a tottering gait under divine emotion, clapping his hands as he sang: “When one is blessed by a true guru, one is taught how to discriminate between right and wrong, and what true knowledge is; for then alone does coal get rid of its blackness when fire enters it.”

It is impossible to express that divine absorption of his in human words. His eyes were only half open; his mind seemed to have wandered to some supersensuous plane; and he moved about in the room singing those two lines alone. His face was flushed, and he seemed to open his eyes with great effort just to have a glimpse of Sri Ramakrishna in the picture which was on the western wall. He had no consciousness of the world around. His naturally sweet voice sounded still sweeter, being mellowed by his inner feeling; it fell in cadences of nectar. Thus, it went on for a long while, till at last he sat down in his chair almost unwittingly and remained there with his eyes closed. Only now and then, these words issued forth indistinctly from the bottom of his heart: “Victory to the Lord! Refuge of the afflicted! Gracious Lord! Victory to the Mother!”

31 January 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The Swami: A Sadhaka should first learn about the spiritual path from some great soul, then follow it methodically. If he does it haphazardly, he cannot achieve much success. Again, if he gives it up, he will have to put forth double the usual effort to gain the desired result. But no endeavour is lost. Lust, anger, greed, gradually go away from him who leads the spiritual life. Your mind is now covered over by Rajas (activity) and Tamas (inertia). It must be made pure and subtle and raised to the state of Sattwa (illumination). Then you will find pleasure in religious practices and will also feel inclined to devote more and more time to them. Later, when the mind attains perfect purity, you will naturally devote yourself to spiritual culture. The mind is at present on the gross plane. Consequently, it leans toward gross things. But when it becomes awakened, it inclines naturally toward the spiritual. When it grows subtler, its capacity also increases, and the aspirant is able to understand within a short time the truths about God. When you sit in meditation, first think of a blissful Divine form. This will have a soothing effect on your nerves and mind. Otherwise, meditation will become dry and tedious. Think of the form of your Ishtam (Ideal) as smiling and full of bliss. The spiritual aspirant should not take much food at night. At first take three-fourths of your usual diet. Then reduce the quantity to half. In the beginning you may feel some weakness of the body. But the body will be all right after some time and will remain active and in perfect condition.

1 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 1923.

The initiated disciple had been meditating so long on the veranda of the shrine, according to Mahapurushji's instruction. He now came to his room, prostrated himself with great devotion at Mahapurushji's feet, and then, taking his seat on the floor, said with folded hands and tearful eyes: "Your grace has brought peace to my mind today. I had no peace of mind from the day that I got the mantra in the dream. I could never make my mind calm; I was almost losing my balance. After receiving that very same mantra from you today, I am convinced that whatever I saw in my dream is true, and the person who blessed me in the dream is none other than yourself."

Mahapurushji: "It is the Lord Himself who appeared in the dream, just because He was merciful to you. It is the Lord Himself who blessed you today in another form. He is merciful; He is the ocean of unreasoned compassion. He has incarnated Himself in this age to help all creatures. I am a mere slave of His. He is the only dispenser of mercy. The Lord alone can confer mercy on others; this is all that I know. The scriptures also say that when a true teacher initiates a disciple, the Lord reveals Himself in the heart of that teacher, and from there He inspires the disciple. The Lord Himself is the real guru; man can never be the guru. It is owing to the merit you had earned in your past lives that you are able today to take refuge at the feet of the Lord, who saves all lost souls. Today I dedicated you to His feet; I offered you at His feet. From today onward, the Lord has accepted the entire charge of you here and hereafter."

The disciple: "Maharaj, I cannot see the Lord; I only know that you have blessed me."

Mahapurushji: "You may feel that way about it. But I know that it is the Master (Sri Ramakrishna) who has shown his grace to you today. From today, you have become his. From now on, cling to him all the more firmly. Try to see him within and outside yourself. Always believe that he is your nearest and dearest one. This world, after all, is transient. Father, mother, wife, son, daughter, relatives—all these are mere illusory relations and last for a few days only. But the relationship that we have with the Master lasts forever; it is not destroyed with the death of the body. The invaluable seed that is sown in your heart today will sprout and grow day by day when watered by love and devotion, and it will gradually develop into a huge tree of ambrosia, making your whole life a blessing and bringing you all the fourfold end of human life (spirituality, virtuousness, prosperity, and enjoyment). All your desires will be fulfilled."

2 February 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Trigunatitanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Sayings of Swami Trigunatitanandaji Maharaj)

First of all, control over the senses is required. The power of curbing, and at will, the outward tendencies is to be acquired first. In one word, one must be perfectly self-controlled. Spiritual progress is a far cry in the midst of selfishness and narrow-mindedness. In spiritual culture, even a little effort brings success; it never fails, it is never lost. That mind which is attached to more than one thing can never reach the goal. Learn to see God in everything about you. Smear God over everything, and your mind will think of Him alone. Such distinctions as Brahmin, Sudra, etc. belong to the body, and never to the soul. Sri Ramakrishna would say, “If one has succeeded in discarding his hankerings for sense-enjoyment, one has no other object left that has to be given up afresh. Never think, ‘I can’t do it, I am weak.’” What caste can a true devotee or the perfect souls have? When the individual souls merge in God (like rivers in the sea), they can no longer have any individuality. Our devotion must be without any motive. It is extremely bad if our devotion increases when He is kind, and it takes to flight when He is cruel or does not heed our prayers.

Jai Ramakrishna 3 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: May 1923.

The disciple: “I am an erring human being, lost in the many bondages of the world. Kindly bless me that I may not forget your gracious feet through worldly delusion. Please tell me how I should live in the world and give me some guidance so that I may not sink in worldliness for good. You must save this lowly one by all means.” With these words he caught hold of Mahapurushji’s feet, while tears were dropping from his eyes.

Mahapurushji was visibly moved by his earnest entreaty. With a voice full of love and emotion, he said: “I have already told you, my son, that I have offered you at the feet of the Master, who has accepted you and taken up your responsibility. It is precisely because he would accept you that he inspired you to come here. Today you are born to a new life. If the Master is true, then what we say is also true. Take refuge in him heart and soul; throw all your responsibilities on him; and go on calling on him with earnest humility. That is all that is needed. You have nothing more to do. He will take care of you under all circumstances.

As for your desire to know how you should live in the world, that you can learn from the teaching of Sri Ramakrishna himself. You must perform all your duties, but you must keep your mind fixed on the Lord. It is just like a maidservant in a rich man’s house, who does all her work, but whose mind is in her own home in the country. Similarly, one should live in the world without any attachment. You must serve all the members of your family, wife, children, and other relatives, but you must know in your innermost being that God alone is your nearest and dearest. Apart from Him there is none whom you can really call your own. That does not mean, however, that you must neglect your family; you must serve them to the best of your capacity, considering them to be the children of God, or to be so many parts of God Himself, entrusted to your care. You must talk with them about God and try to instil in their minds a true love for God.”

4 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: May 1923. Swami Dayatmananda: 5 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923. Mahapurushji had just returned from the shrine in the morning. Absorbed in his spiritual mood, he was singing in a low tone. As he walked over the terrace connecting the shrine with his room, he turned towards Dakshineswar and saluted with folded hands. Then he saluted Mother Ganga and returned to his room. The sannyasins and brahmacharins of the Math now came to him one by one, after finishing their own meditation and japa. They saluted him and went out. He had not as yet spoken to anyone but sat silently with his mind absorbed in God. A little later, an elderly monk came, saluted him, and inquired about his health. The monk used to look after the day-to-day work of the monastery. After a little talk about the Math work, he raised the topic of the Dakshineswar temple and asked: “Maharaj, now that the temple and its properties have been taken over by the receiver, will that bring any good?”

Mahapurushji: “I think it will do some good. Recently, the Mother’s worship etc. was being sadly neglected. So, maybe it is by Her will that this arrangement has been made. Is Dakshineswar just an ordinary place? God Himself incarnated for the good of the world, and it is there that He undertook hard austerities and spiritual practices such as the world had not seen before, and, maybe, will not see again. Dakshineswar is the epitome of all the holy places of the world; every particle of its dust is holy. It is a great place of pilgrimage for all aspirants of all sects, be they Hindus, Mohammedans, Christians, or again Shaivas, Saktas, or Vaishnavas. As for the other sacred places of the world, it is either that an aspirant has attained realization through a certain spiritual path in one, or that a realized person has cast off his body in another. But Dakshineswar has witnessed the spiritual practices undergone by God Himself. Who indeed can tell of the infinite spiritual moods that found expression there? In the course of time people will realize the greatness of the place; then they will be eager to get the very dust of that sacred spot. The intense spiritual atmosphere of the place can never be destroyed. From the day that I heard that the Mother was not being properly served and worshipped, I have been invoking Her here daily and offering worship mentally. To Her I say: ‘Mother, have thy offerings here itself; accept our service instead.’ I shall be saved from all worries when the temple services and worship are suitably arranged for.”

3 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 1923.

The disciple: `I am an erring human being, lost in the many bondages of the world. Kindly bless me that I may, not forget your gracious feet through worldly delusion. Please tell me how I should live in the world and give me some guidance so that I may not sink in worldliness for good. You must save this lowly one by all means.' With these words he caught hold of Mahapurushji's feet, while tears were dropping from his eyes.

Mahapurushji was visibly moved by his earnest entreaty. With a voice full of love and emotion, he said: I have already told you my son, that I have offered you at the feet of the Master, who has accepted you and taken up your responsibility.

It is precisely because he would accept you that he inspired you to come here. Today you are born to a new life. If the Master is true, then what we say is also true. Take refuge in him heart and soul; throw all your responsibilities on him; and go on calling on him with earnest humility. That is all that is needed.

You have nothing more to do. He will take care of you under all circumstances.

As for your desire to know how you should live in the world, that you can learn from the teaching of Sri Ramakrishna himself. You must perform all your duties, but you must keep your mind fixed on the Lord. It is just like a maidservant in a rich man's house, who does all her work, but whose mind is in her own home in the country.

Similarly, one should live in the world without any attachment. You must serve all the members of your family, wife, children, and other relatives, but you must know in your innermost being that God alone is your nearest and dearest. Apart from Him there is none whom you can really call your own. That does not mean, however, that you must neglect your family; you must serve them to the best of your capacity, considering them to be the children of God, or to be so many parts of God Himself, entrusted to your care. You must talk with them about God and try to instil in their minds a true love for God.

4 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: May 1923.

The attendant: “But, Maharaj, will not those also, who do not have great devotion profit by your blessing and progress in the path of spiritual attainment?”

Mahapurushji: “Why should they not? They too will progress, though the advance may be slow. A realized soul has the power to mould the disciple’s mind; and in a few days he can turn his mind towards spirituality. The power of a mantra that has brought success to anyone is irresistible when imparted to another, and particularly is it so when it comes through a guru who is himself a realized soul. The Master used to say that when the guru is perfect the disciple’s egoism vanishes after only three croaks. But if the guru is not perfect, the disciple’s bondage is not removed, and he does not attain liberation.”

It makes one very happy to initiate a real devotee, and the imparting of the mantra becomes fruitful. Anyone whose time for receiving the mantra is ripe has the lotus of his heart opened, as it were, to accept it; and as soon as he gets it, his heart enfolds it with the greatest care. All this while, I was thinking of the grace of the Master and nothing else. Ah! in how many ways, and how many people, he is blessing! Nobody can keep count of the innumerable persons receiving his grace here and in other countries. Glory to the Lord!

5 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji had just returned from the shrine in the morning. Absorbed in his spiritual mood, he was singing in a low tone. As he walked over the terrace connecting the shrine with his room, he turned towards Dakshineswar and saluted with folded hands. Then he saluted Mother Ganga and returned to his room. The sannyasins and brahmacharins of the Math now came to him one by one, after finishing their own meditation and japa. They saluted him and went out. He had not as yet spoken to anyone but sat silently with his mind absorbed in God. A little later, an elderly monk came, saluted him, and inquired about his health. The monk used to look after the day-to-day work of the monastery. 06/02/2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923. The monk: "Maharaj, it is very risky to come in close contact with money and all such worldly affairs; and to add to the difficulties, there is an estate to manage and protect. History records many instances of the fall of great religious organizations as a result of getting wealth and getting involved in worldly dealings which deflected them from their ideal."

Mahapurushji: "What you say is quite true from one point of view. But do you know how it strikes me? Whenever a religious organization fell, the root cause was the absence of spiritual practices, renunciation, austerity, and so forth. In this organization also, we have nothing to fear, and it will all run smoothly so long as detachment and dispassion shine bright; and so long as each member of the organization believes that God-realization is the only goal of life and accordingly engages himself in spiritual practices and austerity. Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) used to depict the true outlook of a holy man with the help of a beautiful illustration. He used to say that a monk should think that he is living under a tree even while dwelling in a palace; and even when being supplied with the best food, he should remember that he is after all living on alms that is free from all impurity."

Jai Ramakrishna 7 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: This means that the monk should remain detached under all circumstances and keep the attitude of austerity flaming within for ever. One need have no fear so long as the ideal remains unadulterated. It is only the inner consecration to ideal that counts. Besides, whatever you do, you do for God alone, and nothing for yourselves. So, work also becomes a spiritual practice for you. When one performs work as service to Him, one gets rid of the impurities of the mind; there can be no doubt about that. Of course, you have to undertake other forms of spiritual practice along with this and that intensely.

8 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: The main factors that count are renunciation, detachment, purity, and sincere hankering for God-realization. This is a very propitious time; in this age, even a little practice will serve to rouse a man's spiritual consciousness. The Master's advent has now made the path of spiritual progress very easy. The spiritual current that has been set flowing by him will run for many centuries, there can be no doubt about that. A few days before his passing away, Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared, standing in this very courtyard of the Math, that the current that has been released here will run unimpeded for seven or eight centuries, nobody will be able to stop it. This spiritual current of the age will flow on out of its own inner strength; it will not depend on any person. This has been ordained by divine power; what can a puny human being do? But the man who will help in fulfilling the need of the age will be blessed.

6 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

The monk: “Maharaj, it is very risky to come in close contact with money and all such worldly affairs; and to add to the difficulties, there is an estate to manage and protect. History records many instances of the fall of great religious organizations as a result of getting wealth and getting involved in worldly dealing which deflected them from their ideal.”

Mahapurushji: “What you say is quite true from one point of view. But do you know how it strikes me? Whenever a religious organization fell, the root cause was the absence of spiritual practices, renunciation, austerity, and so forth. In this organization also, we have nothing to fear, and it will all run smoothly so long as detachment and dispassion shine bright; and so long as each member of the organization believes that God-realization is the only goal of life and accordingly engages himself in spiritual practices and austerity. Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) used to depict the true outlook of a holy man with the help of a beautiful illustration. He used to say that a monk should think that he is living under a tree even while dwelling in a palace; and even when being supplied with the best food, he should remember that he is after all living on alms that is free from all impurity. This means that the monk should remain detached under all circumstances and keep the attitude of austerity flaming within forever. One need have no fear so long as the ideal remains unadulterated. It is only the inner consecration to ideal that counts. Besides, whatever you do, you do for God alone, and nothing for yourselves. So, work also becomes a spiritual practice for you. When one performs work as service to Him, one gets rid of the impurities of the mind; there can be no doubt about that. Of course, you have to undertake other forms of spiritual practice along with this and that intensely.”

7 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: “Troubles arise only when there is any slackness in spiritual practices. You must do His work without any attachment. Know it for certain that if one goes on performing one’s duties under the sincere belief that one is doing God's work, one can never suffer spiritually. God protects such a one forever. But the fall comes as soon as egoism and attachment creep in. The Master used to say that there should be no self-deception in the matter of sticking to the ideal. One need have no fear so long as one clings to the idea, ‘I am thankful that I am able to do His work, to serve Him through this.’ One should keep strict vigilance over one's mind, analysing it at every turn. Whenever you notice that the course of the mind is altering even slightly, you should at once start praying to Him with all humility, and you should apply yourself more intensely to your spiritual practice. Not that one has to work all the twenty-four hours of the day. And even while working, one has to maintain a constant current of thought about Him.”

A monk: “Unless one has a living ideal before one, can hardly keep one's life oriented towards the ideal.”

Jai Ramakrishna 8 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: “Why should it be so? Know it for certain that the Master himself is the living ideal. We are also there, to be sure. It is a mistake to think that everything ends with the dissolution of the body. When the mind becomes purified by spiritual practices, it feels the living and divine presence of God. That experience is what really counts; and its effect lasts through one’s life. Besides, you too are not so insignificant as you think. You have been blessed to see the ideal lives led by the direct disciples of the Master before your very eyes, and you have lived with them. This too is a result of past merit. You have nothing to fear. Those who have real dispassion and sincere detachment have nothing to fear at any time. God will reveal Himself in their hearts; He will fulfil their life’s goal by His blessed vision.”

9 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: “The main factors that count are renunciation, detachment, purity, and sincere hankering for God-realization. This is a very propitious time; in this age, even a little practice will serve to rouse a man’s spiritual consciousness. The Master’s advent has now made the path of spiritual progress very easy. The spiritual current that has been set flowing by him will run for many centuries, there can be no doubt about that. A few days before his passing away, Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared, standing in this very courtyard of the Math, that the current that has been released here will run unimpeded for seven or eight centuries, nobody will be able to stop it. This spiritual current of the age will flow on out of its own inner strength; it will not depend on any person. This has been ordained by divine power; what can a puny human being do?

“But the man who will help in fulfilling the need of the age will be blessed. It was at the instance of the Master himself that Swamiji organized this religious Order to keep intact the spiritual power with which the Master came to this world and which he bequeathed. Swamiji started that work with this Math as its main centre. This is the power-house of that spiritual energy. It is from here that the spiritual current will rush forth to deluge the whole world. That is why he carried the Master on his own head and installed him here.

“The Master had told Swamiji: ‘Wherever you place me, carrying me on your head, I shall live there.’ On the day that this monastery was inaugurated, Swamiji carried the Atmarama (i.e., the vessel containing the holy relics of Sri Ramakrishna) on his head and established it here. There was elaborate worship, sacrifice (homa), and offering of food. I cooked the milk-pudding for offering to him. Installing the Master in this monastery Swamiji said: ‘Today the heaviest responsibility on my head in this world is off. Now it matters little even if I leave this body.’ Thereafter all our spiritual practices centred round this Atmarama here.”

Mahapurushji: “Swamiji, Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda), Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda), all have undertaken intense spiritual practices here. They are all as good as incarnations themselves, the very apostles of the Master. They hardly come down unless it be in the company of a divine incarnation.”

Jai Ramakrishna 10 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923. A monk, proceeding to a centre of the Math in South India to preach the message of Sri Ramakrishna, now saluted Mahapurushji and sought his blessings, saying: "Bless me, Maharaj, that I may realize God in this very life. I have been near you all so long, and now I am leaving for distant Madras far away from you. That pains me very much. Hereafter I cannot meet you at will; you will be present in my meditation only. Please instruct me how I should live there."

Mahapurushji blessed the monk heartily and then said with great affection: "My son, you have taken refuge in the lotus-feet of Sri Ramakrishna; he will take care of you forever. No matter where you are, have this faith ever in your mind that the Master is with you. You are very dear to him. You are well educated, pure in heart, and have renounced everything for his sake. Does he not know all that? At times I think within myself that if Swamiji were here physically, how glad he would have been to see all these boys. The Master has many devotees even there where you are going. You tell them exactly what you have seen and what you have learnt from us. What really matters is to live the life of an ideal monk, full of renunciation and spiritual fervour. The Master's life is a living embodiment of blazing renunciation. You belong to his sacred Order, and you are going out to spread his message. The most eloquent preaching is to live an ideal life, so that through your lives people may understand and take refuge in the Master. So it comes to this that the more you can build your life after the pattern of the Master and Swamiji, the more will their message speak out through you."

11 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923. Mahapurushji: "Whenever you feel you are at a loss, pray to him with heart and soul; he is there within you, the very soul of your soul. He will throw light from within; he will let you know what exactly is to be done. Never harbour such an idea in your mind that you are going out to preach something. The Master himself preaches his message. What can you and I preach about him? Who can understand him? His spiritual moods are infinite."

8 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time September 8, 1923.

Mahapurushji: `The main factors that count are renunciation, detachment, purity, and sincere hankering for God-realization. This is a very propitious time; in this age, even a little practice will serve to rouse a man's spiritual consciousness. The Master's advent has now made the path of spiritual progress very easy. The spiritual current that has been set flowing by him will run for many centuries, there can be no doubt about that.

A few days before his passing away, Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared, standing in this very courtyard of the Math, that the current that has been released here will run unimpeded for seven or eight centuries, nobody will be able to stop it. This spiritual current of the age will flow on out of its own inner strength; it will not depend on any person. This has been ordained by divine power; what can a puny human being do?

`But the man who will help in fulfilling the need of the age will be blessed. It was at the instance of the Master himself that Swamiji organized this religious Order to keep intact the spiritual power with which the Master came to this world and which he bequeathed.

Swamiji started that work with this Math as its main centre. This is the power-house of that spiritual energy. It is from here that the spiritual current will rush forth to deluge the whole world. That is why he carried the Master on his own head and installed him here.

`The Master had told Swamiji: "Wherever you place me, carrying me on your head, I shall live there."

On the day that this monastery was inaugurated, Swamiji carried the Atmarama (i.e. the vessel containing the holy relics of Sri Ramakrishna) on his head and established it here. There was elaborate worship, sacrifice (homa), and offering of food. I cooked the milk-pudding for offering to him.

Installing the Master in this monastery Swamiji said: "Today the heaviest responsibility on my head in this world is off. Now it matters little even if I leave this body."

Thereafter all our spiritual practices centred round this Atmarama here.

9 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: September 8, 1923. Mahapurushji: “Swamiji, Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda), Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda), all have undertaken intense spiritual practices here. They are all as good as incarnations themselves, the very apostles of the Master. They hardly come down unless it be in the company of a divine incarnation. So many great saints have undertaken their spiritual practices here. Now, think how great a place this holy monastery is. The Mother (i.e., Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother) herself came here. I heard it said that, even before this Math came into existence, the Holy Mother saw Sri Ramakrishna here (in a vision), while passing over the Ganga in a boat. Of course, we went away now and then for solitary meditation in hills and forests, even after the founding of this monastery; but our minds remained ever pinned to this vessel of Atmarama here. As the immediate companions of the Master are returning to him one by one, it is now your turn to shoulder the task. You have the duty of keeping intact the influence of this Math with the help of your renunciation, spiritual practices, prayer, and meditation. Your lives have to be moulded in such a way that when people come in contact with you, they should feel that they are meeting the Master himself and his immediate companions. To sum up the Master's message in a few words: the only aim of human life is to realize God, and true life consists in renunciation, intense spiritual practice, and the harmony of all religions.”

10 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time September 8, 1923.

A monk, proceeding to a centre of the Math in South India to preach the message of Sri Ramakrishna, now saluted Mahapurushji and sought his blessings, saying: 'Bless me, Maharaj, that I may realize God in this very life. I have been near you all so long, and now I am leaving for distant Madras far away from you. That pains me very much.

Hereafter I cannot meet you at will, you will be present in my meditation only Please instruct me how I should live there.'

Mahapurushji blessed the monk heartily and then said with great affection; `My son, you have taken refuge in the lotus-feet of Sri Ramakrishna; he will take care of you for ever. No matter where you are, have this faith ever in your mind that the Master is with you. You are very dear to him. You are well educated, pure in heart, and have renounced everything for his sake. Does he not know all that? At times I think within myself that if Swamiji were here physically, how glad he would have been to see all these boys.

The Master has many devotees even there where you are going, You tell them exactly what you have seen and what you have learnt from us.

What really matters is to live the life of an ideal monk, full of renunciation and spiritual fervour.

The Master's life is a living embodiment of blazing renunciation. You belong to his sacred Order, and you are going out to spread his message. The most eloquent preaching is to live an ideal life, so that through your lives people may understand and take refuge in the Master.

So it comes to this that the more you can build your life after the pattern of the Master and Swamiji, the more will their message speak out through you.

11 February 2025

That pains me very much. Hereafter I cannot meet you at will; you will be present in my meditation only. Please instruct me how I should live there.

Mahapurushji blessed the monk heartily and then said with great affection: “My son, you have taken refuge in the lotus-feet of Sri Ramakrishna; he will take care of you forever. No matter where you are, have this faith ever in your mind that the Master is with you. You are very dear to him. You are well educated, pure in heart, and have renounced everything for his sake. Does he not know all that? At times I think within myself that if Swamiji were here physically, how glad he would have been to see all these boys. The Master has many devotees even there where you are going. You tell them exactly what you have seen and what you have learnt from us. What really matters is to live the life of an ideal monk, full of renunciation and spiritual fervour. The Master’s life is a living embodiment of blazing renunciation. You belong to his sacred Order, and you are going out to spread his message. The most eloquent preaching is to live an ideal life, so that through your lives people may understand and take refuge in the Master. So it comes to this that the more you can build your life after the pattern of the Master and Swamiji, the more will their message speak out through you.”

12 February 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Adbhutanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

Advice To A Devotee

Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj, why are there so many ups and downs in the mind of a householder?"

Latu Maharaj: "Because the mind of a householder is too involved with worldly objects. Sometimes it goes up as a result of spiritual practices, but it falls back again. The Master used to say: if one ties a rope with a brick at the end of it to the tail of a mongoose, it will be able to climb a wall only as far as the loose rope permits but no farther, because of the weight of the brick. Likewise, the mind of a householder may move toward God, but the weight of worldly objects pulls it back.

To keep the mind always in God is a great Tapasya: such a mind does not fluctuate between high and low. A thread with stray fibbers cannot pass through the eye of a needle; similarly, a mind with desires cannot be absorbed in God. When a man's mind becomes fully concentrated on God, he enjoys the bliss of the Atman. But this is very difficult in the householder's life. Disease, sorrow, enjoyment, desire—all these are constant companions of the householder, also physical lethargy and mental restlessness. In addition to these if the man doubts the existence of God, there is no hope of his getting liberation. Often you will find that worldly people are busy with their families, their children, and other mundane matters, but they have no inclination to think about God. Such distracted minds cannot make progress in spiritual life."

13 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

Advice To A Devotee

Bihari Babu: "Then should we give up family life and call on God only?"

Latu Maharaj: "Why should you give up your family? Doesn't one's family belong to God? Therefore, call on him who is the real head of the family. One will have to do one's duty in this world. How can you escape it? Wherever you go, the world will follow you. Does it exist outside us? No, everything is in our own minds. If your mind desires enjoyment, you will seek enjoyment even in the forest; and if you don't have that desire for sense objects, you will not want them even if you are surrounded by them. Whether you live in a household or in the forest, you must call on God; otherwise, all is in vain. Brother Turiyananda used to say, 'Only a fool thinks that he will take his bath in the ocean after all the waves have subsided.' Do you think he will ever take his bath? The waves of the ocean will never stop; he will never get his bath, even if he waits his whole life. So, I say, wherever you may be, whatever your mental condition, dive deep in the name of God. He who can do this will attain the highest. On the other hand, a man who decides to solve all his problems before he calls on God will never reach the goal; for as long as you have a body, you must experience disease, sorrow, fear, pain, and suffering. 'It is troublesome to have a body.' Anyone who wants to escape from all these troubles will have to hold onto God. God is Satchidananda—Absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. His bliss removes all suffering."

14 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

Advice To A Devotee

A devotee: "Maharaj, please tell us about the bliss of Brahman."

Latu Maharaj: "Ah, you see, that bliss cannot be compared with any joy you may find in this world. It is inexpressible. Worldly happiness is the product of maya. Maya operates within the three states—waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. But beyond those three is another realm, turiya, which is extremely difficult to reach. The bliss of that realm is free from maya. You know how sweet is the joy within maya. Ordinary people are enchanted by it. They do not even think for a moment how immensely sweeter is God whose maya is so sweet!"

A devotee: "Maharaj, why do you say that maya's so-called joy is sweet? It is nothing but scorching flames."

Latu Maharaj: "But you see… most people love that burning sensation."

On another occasion Latu Maharaj said: "Nothing in this world is valuable except bliss. Do you know why people want money, property, wife, children? Because they think they will get physical and mental happiness from them. So, they are ready to work day and night for them. If they would divert that energy toward God, they could get the permanent genuine bliss of Satchidananda instead of the transitory happiness of the world."

15 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON SURRENDER

Latu Maharaj: "You speak about dependence on God so superficially! If you do not get any response after calling on God for a couple of days, you follow your own way according to your mood, as if you understood the situation better than he. Surrendering oneself to God means that one should move at his command. Do not do anything without his command. Even if it means a great loss for you, do not stray from that. Only when you have attained this state can you say that you have truly surrendered yourself to God. Brother Vivekananda used to say: 'If I cannot get Rama, shall I live with Shyama? If necessary, let this life be spent in vain for Sri Ramakrishna.' See how he surrendered himself to the Master! He was ready at any moment to give up his life for the Lord over the smallest thing. This is the way one should hold onto the Master; only then can he guide you in the right direction."

A devotee: "Maharaj, why do we not have that kind of dependence on God?"

Latu Maharaj: "It is because you value your intellect and ego more than God. You are not ready to wait for his command, and moreover, you lose patience in a minute."

16 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

FEELING FOR OTHERS

"Only a poor man can love the poor. A rich man cannot feel the sufferings of the poor, for no one can understand the sufferings of others unless he has undergone the same suffering. Brother Vivekananda told Turiyananda: 'Brother, I do not know exactly what I have gained by leading this monk's life, but one thing is certain: This [Swami Vivekananda pointed to his heart] has expanded enormously.'

"If the desire to do charitable works arises in the mind of a rich man, it shows that his heart has started to feel for the poor. God tests a man by making him wealthy, and that is a hard test to pass. Tests devised by men are easy to pass, but divine tests are very difficult. God may give plenty of riches to one man but so delude him by maya that he will never in his life desire to be charitable. Again, God may give a generous heart to another person but not give him much money. Blessed indeed are they who are rich yet feel for the poor.

"Money brings vanity. The more egotistic a man is, the farther he is from God, and thus the poorer he is. Do not measure the poverty of a man by his possessions. The real measure is how far he is from God. The nearer to the Lord, the richer the man; the more forgetful of the Lord, the poorer and unhappier he is."

17 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON LUST

A devotee: "How can one overcome lust?"

Latu Maharaj: "Keep a picture of Sri Ramakrishna with you. Whenever lustful feelings arise, you should look at the picture intently. You will find that the senses will gradually be gathered in, and the mind will be freed from lust."

ATTITUDE TOWARD WOMEN

Once Latu Maharaj told a group of men devotees: "Some men abuse women, but you should never raise your hand against them. You do not know how much they bear—they are forbearance itself. If you abuse them, where shall they turn? They are aspects of the Divine Mother, and if the Mother is insulted, the Lord is displeased. Thus, your well-being lies in making them happy. Their tears will ruin you, as Sita's tears destroyed the whole of Ravana's people."

ON RESTLESSNESS

Latu Maharaj once said to a restless devotee: "Why do you think of all sorts of nonsense when you sit to meditate? Can't you whip your mind? Even if you cannot control your mind and you become disgusted, please don't leave your seat; for if you get up from meditation with that attitude of disgust, you will be in a bad mood all day, and you will feel like beating one person, scolding another, and speaking harshly to a third. The Master told us, 'Do not get up from your seat immediately after meditation.' While you are still sitting on the *asana* [seat for meditation], sing devotional songs for ten or fifteen minutes, and then you will feel calmness in your mind throughout the day."

18 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS

Latu Maharaj: "Worldly desires have taken up permanent residence in the mind. Sometimes they float on the surface of the mind, and sometimes they are so hidden that it seems they do not even exist. But the closer you are to God, the more you will see the knots of desire hidden in the mind. The more your body and mind are purified, the more the dirt and dross which have accumulated during thousands of lives will be stirred up and will challenge your spirituality. The energy generated by spiritual disciplines forces the impurities to leave the mind, their fort. How can they cope against the power of the Lord's name?

"You see, the desires are very shrewd. They take possession not only of the mind of a person but his sense organs as well. As soon as desire is aroused in the mind, the sense organs are awakened. The eyes want to see, the ears want to hear, the tongue to taste and speak, the nose to smell, and the body to feel. The hands want to work, and the feet carry the person to where the object is. The other sense organs are alert, and whenever the opportunity comes, they also enjoy.

"Do you know what the mind does? It conjures up enticing pictures with the imagination. The imagination is man's worst enemy, his greatest tempter, for it creates beautiful pictures of sense pleasures and nearly destroys man's conscience. Thus, man is drawn to sense objects. Therefore, if you want to control the desire for worldly things, control the imagination and don't be deluded by sense enjoyments."

19 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS

They take possession not only of the mind of a person but his sense organs as well. As soon as desire is aroused in the mind, the sense organs are awakened. The eyes want to see, the ears want to hear, the tongue to taste and speak, the nose to smell, and the body to feel. The hands want to work, and the feet carry the person to where the object is. The other sense organs are alert, and whenever the opportunity comes, they also enjoy.

Do you know what the mind does? It conjures up enticing pictures with the imagination. The imagination is man's worst enemy, his greatest tempter, for it creates beautiful pictures of sense pleasures and nearly destroys man's conscience. Thus, man is drawn to sense objects. Therefore, if you want to control the desire for worldly things, control the imagination and don't be deluded by sense enjoyments.

A devotee: "But how can one control the imagination?"

Latu Maharaj: "The imagination can be controlled by withdrawing the mind from the object, although that will not still the mind. Sri Ramakrishna said that three things are necessary in the process of perception: the object of perception, the sense organ, and the mind. Perception of the object is not possible if one of these three is missing. So, if you can eliminate one of them, the mind will not be able to cognize. It is hard to eliminate the objects of perception. They come and go. We have to encounter them always. How can one live and avoid sense objects? So long as you can avoid the sense objects, your self-control may be intact; but as soon as you come near them again, you will find yourself deluded by their attraction. So instead, try to withdraw either the sense organ or the mind from the object. Then automatically the object will not be perceived.

The nature of the mind can be changed by chanting the name of the Lord. Gradually desires and doubts cease and the mind dissolves into its causality. Then there is none to think or imagine. Waves of desire in the mind show that the mind is active: the mind becomes pure only when it becomes waveless. The power of God descends on the pure mind, and only then does one realize the Self."

20 February 2025

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT

A devotee: "Maharaj, is there any hope of liberation for worldly people like us? Please bless us that we can escape this whirlpool of maya."

Latu Maharaj: "Why should you be so depressed? Do you think you understand everything about human life? Know that no life goes in vain in God's realm. Once Brother Shashi gave a very apt illustration to someone like you: A man was out walking and came upon a canal. Seeing that he would have to jump over it in order to continue on his way, he took several strides backward to get a running start for his leap. As he ran forward and jumped over the canal, he covered not only the distance he had moved backward but also the canal itself. Now, can you tell me whether his several steps backward were helpful or harmful? A man might have to take backward steps in this present life, but he will undoubtedly run forward in the next.

No life is ever lived in vain. Remember only one thing: Lead a God-centred life. Then the Lord will guide you as he likes. He knows our past, present, and future. The wisest course is to surrender to him completely. Whether you hold onto the Lord's hand or not does not matter, he is always holding onto yours."

Jai Ramakrishna 21 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924. It was the first day of the year, and they were observing the kalpataru day. From early morning, devotees assembled in Mahapurushji's room, after saluting the Master. He, too, talked with them on various subjects with evident delight. A devotee saluted him and said: 'Happy new year!' Mahapurushji replied smilingly: 'Happy English new year; for our own new year is on the first of Vaishakha. Today is the new year according to the English calendar. See how our minds work under the influence of English education for a hundred and fifty years! We are almost losing our distinction, our national traits.

The worst evil is that by and large the Hindu race has gradually lost faith in its Vedic religion. The idea that prevails among the common people is that all that is contained in our sanatana dharma (eternal religion) is false and imaginary, and that whatever the standard-bearers of Christianity say is gospel truth. They were out to convert the whole Hindu race to Christianity, but God willed otherwise. Had this eternal Vedic religion been wiped out, then spirituality itself would have been banished from this world. Hence this time the Lord Himself incarnated as Sri Ramakrishna to protect this eternal religion. He started his spiritual practice with that very worship of God in the image which the Christians and others in our country who had been influenced by the western ideas derided as idolatry. His practice of the spiritual disciplines of all the faiths and his success in all of them have struck the whole world with wonder.

The atmosphere in this country began to change from the very day of the advent of Sri Ramakrishna. Indians are gradually regaining faith in themselves, which they had lost. As a result of the wonderful work of the Master in the spiritual field, the soul-power of India has been reawakened. You will find that India will make wonderful progress in every direction.

22 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924. Mahapurushji: Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared that religion forms the backbone of India. That backbone had been broken, as it were, and consequently India became weak in every respect and lagged behind others. The Master's advent has set right that backbone again and reinvigorated it. Now India will make the world wonder at her achievements not only in religion, but also in all other spheres. The Master has roused the power of the Spirit that moves the whole universe. The world will, in the course of time, realize what he has done for it. Ah! what good fortune it was for us to have been in close association with God Himself, to have seen, touched, and served the Master! His touch has made our lives blessed. Those also will be blessed who have not seen him, but who have accepted his message, and are moulding their lives accordingly, who have accepted him as their life's ideal. He is the epitome of all spiritual endeavours; he is the Lord of the three worlds; his grace knows no limit; he is the fulfiller of all desires. He bestows all things according to the sincere desires of his devotees—be it virtue, prosperity, enjoyment, or liberation. How can I speak of him fully?

23 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924.

21 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924. It was the first day of the year, and they were observing the kalpataru day. From early morning, devotees assembled in Mahapurushji's room, after saluting the Master. He, too, talked with them on various subjects with evident delight. A devotee saluted him and said: 'Happy new year!' Mahapurushji replied smilingly: 'Happy English new year; for our own new year is on the first of Vaishakha. Today is the new year according to the English calendar. See how our minds work under the influence of English education for a hundred and fifty years! We are almost losing our distinction, our national traits. The worst evil is that by and large the Hindu race has gradually lost faith in its Vedic religion. The idea that prevails among the common people is that all that is contained in our sanatana dharma (eternal religion) is false and imaginary, and that whatever the standard-bearers of Christianity say is gospel truth. They were out to convert the whole Hindu race to Christianity, but God willed otherwise. Had this eternal Vedic religion been wiped out, then spirituality itself would have been banished from this world. Hence this time the Lord Himself incarnated as Sri Ramakrishna to protect this eternal religion. He started his spiritual practice with that very worship of God in the image which the Christians and others in our country who had been influenced by the western ideas derided as idolatry. His practice of the spiritual disciplines of all the faiths and his success in all of them have struck the whole world with wonder. The atmosphere in this country began to change from the very day of the advent of Sri Ramakrishna. Indians are gradually regaining faith in themselves, which they had lost.

'Jai Ramakrishna 22/02/2025'

As a result of the wonderful work of the Master in the spiritual field, the soul-power of India has been reawakened. You will find that India will make wonderful progress in every direction.

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: January 1, 1924.

Mahapurushji: Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared that religion forms the backbone of India. That backbone had been broken, as it were, and consequently India became weak in every respect and lagged behind others. The Master's advent has set right that backbone again and reinvigorated it. Now India will make the world wonder at her achievements not only in religion, but also in all other spheres. The Master has roused the power of the Spirit that moves the whole universe. The world will, in the course of time, realize what he has done for it. Ah! What good fortune it was for us to have been in close association with God Himself, to have seen, touched, and served the Master! His touch has made our lives blessed. Those also will be blessed who have not seen him, but who have accepted his message and are moulding their lives accordingly, who have accepted him as their life's ideal. He is the epitome of all spiritual endeavours; he is the Lord of the three worlds; his grace knows no limit; he is the fulfiller of all desires. He bestows all things according to the sincere desires of his devotees—be it virtue, prosperity, enjoyment, or liberation. How can I speak of him fully?

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: January 1, 1924.

A devotee: "On this day, he assumed the role of the wish-fulfilling tree (kalpataru) and showered his grace on quite a number of devotees."

Mahapurushji: "Why should he have been a kalpataru on this day alone? Why should it be so? Truth to tell, he is a kalpataru for ever. His only work is to shower his grace on all creatures. We have seen it with our own eyes how he blessed innumerable people in so many ways every day. Yes, it is true that on that particular day, in the Cossipore garden-house, he blessed quite a number of devotees all at a time. In that sense, this day has a special significance; for it was on this day that the devotees felt palpably his infinite grace through that one incident."

The devotee: "Maharaj, were you present there on that day?"

Mahapurushji: "No, I was not. As a matter of fact, none of the monastic disciples of the Master was present there at the time. The Master was then seriously ill; our hearts were then full of the spirit of renunciation. He was then passing through such a critical period of illness that we kept vigil by turns all the twenty-four hours of the day. The lay devotees would come during the daytime according to their convenience, and they would arrange for the medicines, diet, and all other necessary expenditure. But we shouldered the entire responsibility of nursing him. And along with that proceeded our intense spiritual practice. The Master also encouraged us very much in this. He would call us individually and guide us on the right path of spiritual disciplines; he kept himself informed about the progress made in our meditation and the kind of visions each of us was having. At night, Swamiji would sit with us in meditation round a blazing fire under the sky, and sometimes we would also sing devotional songs. The whole night passed thus in divine ecstasy while serving the Master by turns."

22 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924.

Mahapurushji: Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) declared that religion forms the backbone of India. That backbone had been broken, as it were and consequently India became weak in every respect and lagged behind others. The Master's advent has set right that backbone again and reinvigorated it. Now India will make the world wonder at her achievements not only in religion, but also in all other spheres. The Master has roused the power of the Spirit that moves the whole universe. The world will, in the course of time, realize what he has done for it.

Ah! what good fortune it was for us to have been in close association with God Himself, to have seen, touched, and served the Master! His touch has made our lives blessed. Those also will be blessed who have not seen him, but who have accepted his message, and are moulding their lives accordingly, who have accepted him as their life's ideal. He is the epitome of all spiritual endeavours; he is the Lord of the three worlds; his grace knows no limit; he is the fulfiller of all desires. He bestows all things according to the sincere desires of his devotees---be it virtue, prosperity, enjoyment, or liberation. How can I speak of him fully?'

23 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: January 1, 1924.

A devotee: 'On this day', he assumed the role of the wish-fulfilling tree (kalpataru) and showered his grace on quite a number of devotees.'

Mahapurushji: 'Why should he have been a kalpataru on this day alone? Why should it be so? Truth to tell, he is a kalpataru for ever. His only work is to shower his grace on all creatures. We have seen it with our own eyes how he blessed innumerable people in so many ways every day. Yes, it is true that on that particular day, in the Cossipore garden-house, he blessed quite a number of devotees all at a time. In that sense this day has a special significance; for it was on this day that the devotees felt palpably his infinite grace through that one incident.'

The devotee: `Maharaj, were you present there on that day?'

Mahapurushji: `No, I was not. As a matter of fact, none of the monastic disciples of the Master was present there at the time. The Master was then seriously ill; our hearts were then full of the spirit of renunciation. He was then passing through such a critical period of illness that we kept vigil by turns all the twenty-four hours of the day. The lay devotees would come during the daytime according, to their convenience, and they would arrange for the medicines, diet, and all other necessary expenditure.

But we shouldered the entire responsibility of nursing him. And along with that proceeded our intense spiritual practice. The Master also encouraged us very much in this. He would call us individually and guide us on the right path of spiritual disciplines; he kept himself informed about the progress made in our meditation and the kind of visions each of us was having.

At night Swamiji would sit with us in meditation round a blazing fire under the sky, and sometimes we would also sing devotional songs. The whole night passed thus in divine ecstasy while serving the Master by turns.

24 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: January 1, 1924.

(Kalpataru Festival)

Mahapurushji: “And why should not his touch be as effective as that? Was he not God Himself? Even that day the Master did not touch one or two, but said that they would have it later. From this it is clear that nothing happens unless the time is ripe. One has to wait for the right moment.”

The devotee: “Maharaj, he can surely turn people’s minds Godward by his mere wish and make their hearts pure. Why does he not do so? If his grace be contingent on one’s spiritual effort, then how can one say that his mercy is without limit?”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, what you say is true. I talk thus, because it comes this way in the speaking. In reality, God is not to be attained through any effort. Or to be more correct, we cannot even assert that He is attainable at all, for He is the very Self of everybody; He is the Soul of all souls. Spiritual practices merely serve to remove the coverings over the inner vision, and (when they are removed) the soul knows its own reality and becomes one with the inmost Self. It is precisely because He frees creatures from the bondage of ignorance that they become blessed with a longing to realize Him: this is His grace. But it is true that everything occurs according to some rule and order. To expect otherwise would be like the vain effort of trying to make a man of a child all of a sudden. It is through the gradual development of the body and mind that the child reaches and transcends the stages of boyhood, youth, manhood, and decrepitude; similarly, the divine experiences come to a man in an order and by stages. The development that comes naturally is the right one, and its effect alone is good. It goes without saying that God can, of His own mercy, liberate all souls in the twinkle of an eye, for He is all-powerful. As a matter of fact, however, He does not do so. He rules the whole world under the same law, and He hardly allows any exception to it unless there be some very special reason.”

25 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: January 1, 1924.

(KALPATARU FESTIVAL)

Mahapurushji: “At the same time, God’s mercy is unconditional; there is no doubt about that. Had you but the slightest idea of His infinite mercy and love for His creatures, the very question as to how He can be an infinite ocean of grace could never have arisen in your mind. That He incarnates Himself out of compassion for His creatures is the greatest proof that His love is limitless; that shows that He is an infinite ocean of kindness. He is ever full (purna); He has nothing to find or seek; and yet, out of mercy, He engages Himself in the task of saving creatures. He has only one mood and that is mercy, love. Can anybody ever explain how merciful He is? It is a thing to be realized. The Master used to say: ‘If a man but tries to proceed one step towards God, He comes nearer to him by ten steps.’ Such is His mercy! Never have any doubt about His grace; never allow even such a thought to cross your mind. Go on calling on Him with love; His grace will make your heart and mind full. Can such a realization come in a day or all of a sudden? It will all come in time; you will get all this in due course. Even we could not have got any idea of how kind God is to us, if we had not seen the Master. He would be all eager, he would shed tears, to bestow his mercy on others. Who indeed craves for His mercy with all sincerity? Men are mad after worldly enjoyment. Anyone who earnestly wants divine joy surely gets it.”

26 February 2025

Today is the most auspicious Maha Shivaratri. On this Holy day, may Lord Shiva and Mother Annapoorna bless us all with Bhakti.

Teachings of Swami Shivananda:

Place: Deoghar. Time: 1926. Mahapurushji went to Deoghar with some sadhus and brahmacharins for the opening of the buildings of the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith on its own new land there. His august presence there was a source of continuous joy and festivity, and the holy contact with him kindled new spiritual hope and inspiration in all hearts. A monk requested: “Maharaj, please tell us something about your pilgrimages; we are very eager to hear about them.”

With a smile, Mahapurushji said: “What will you gain by listening to those old anecdotes? There was a time when we did all that a great deal; but now the Master has dragged into this current of work. This is what is required for the propagation of his message in this age. That is why the Master is getting some of his work done by us even in this old age. What we had planned for ourselves and had actually been following, was a life of austerity and spiritual practice; but would the Master leave us to do that? See how Swamiji himself (Swami Vivekananda) had to depart prematurely owing to incessant strenuous work. Many a time did he go away to the Himalayas for intense tapasya (spiritual practice and austerities); but each time somebody dragged him down from the lap of the mountains. Well, I told you at the start that Swamiji had planned to spend his life in meditation, japa, and other spiritual practices. But the great power that descended as Sri Ramakrishna did not allow him to do so; it yoked him to the work of propagating the message of the age that would save the world. The master yogin that Swamiji was, he could easily have spent his days in samadhi, total absorption in God, if he had only wanted to do so; but the Master drew him into the midst of intense activity. He has engaged all of you as well to give shape to his message. Blessed are the men whom he has chosen.”

27 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Deoghar.

Time: 1926.

A monk: “But, surely, are not austerities and spiritual struggles also necessary? You, too, have undergone a lot of them.”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, spiritual exercises are very necessary, and so also are austerities. The only means of keeping the course of one’s life directed towards God is spiritual effort. But why should one think that this spiritual struggle and austerity can have only one form? Look here, for instance: what suffering you undergo, and what a fight you have to wage against adverse circumstances, to carry on God’s work! This too is a kind of austerity and spiritual struggle. The one idea that you always have to keep burning in your heart is that whatever you do is for His sake, for His service, nothing for yourselves. This, too, is a kind of spiritual practice. Out of His grace, He has chosen you as His instruments; and that has made your life blessed. Know it for certain that for establishing the religion of the age (*yuga-dharma*), he does not depend on any particular person. The fortunate ones alone are able to work for him. I have seen quite a number of people with sterling qualities, but the Master does not choose them. There are others, again, who to all outward appearance are good for nothing, and yet the Master makes them work wonders.

“Anyone who gets an opportunity to do his work is a blessed person. That is why Swamiji would say that if it pleases him he can create a hundred thousand Vivekanandas. Have this idea ever bright in your mind that by doing his work we ourselves become blessed. Be assured: When you engage yourself in this work you will, as a matter of course, attain devotion, faith, and other such things. There can be no doubt about that. As compared with the spiritual struggles of those who roam about in hills and forests and live on alms, your struggles are in no way inferior.

“For one’s own salvation and for the good of the world, that is the message for this age.”

28 February 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Deoghar. Time: 1926.

Out of His grace, He has chosen you as His instruments; and that has made your life blessed. Know it for certain that for establishing the religion of the age (yuga-dharma), he does not depend on any particular person. The fortunate ones alone are able to work for him. I have seen quite a number of people with sterling qualities, but the Master does not choose them. There are others, again, who to all outward appearance are good for nothing, and yet the Master makes them work wonders. Anyone who gets an opportunity to do his work is a blessed person. That is why Swamiji would say that if it pleases him he can create a hundred thousand Vivekanandas. Have this idea ever bright in your mind that by doing his work we ourselves become blessed. Be assured: When you engage yourself in this work you will, as a matter of course, attain devotion, faith, and other such things. There can be no doubt about that. As compared with the spiritual struggles of those who roam about in hills and forests and live on alms, your struggles are in no way inferior. "For one's own salvation and for the good of the world", that is the message for this age.

1 March 2025

(Today is the Holy Janma-Tithi of Sri Ramakrishna. On this Auspicious day: May Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna)

THE DESTINY OF MAN

You too, O man, are now playing in this material world, infatuated with the dolls of wealth, honour, fame, etc., and do not feel any fear or anxiety. If, however, you once see your Divine Mother, you will not afterwards find pleasure in all these. Throwing them all aside, you will run to Her. There are pearls deep in the sea, but you must hazard all perils to get them. If you fail to get at them by a single dive, do not conclude that the sea is without them. Dive again and again, and you are sure to be rewarded in the end. So also, in the quest for the Lord, if your first attempt to see Him proves fruitless, do not lose heart. Persevere in the attempt, and you are sure to realize Him at last. Meditate upon Knowledge and the Bliss Eternal, and you will have bliss. The Bliss is indeed eternal, only it is covered and obscured by ignorance. The less your attachment to the sense-objects, the more will be your love for God. Mere possession of wealth does not make a man rich. The sign of a rich man's house is that a light burns in each room. The poor cannot afford the oil; therefore, they do not arrange for many lights. This temple of the body should not be kept in darkness; the lamp of Knowledge must be lighted in it. “Light the lamp of Knowledge in your room and look at the face of the Mother Divine.” Everyone can attain Knowledge. There is the individual self and there is the higher Self. Every individual is connected with the higher Self. There is a gas connection in every house, and gas can be had from the Gas Company. Only apply to the proper authorities, and the supply will be arranged. Then you will have gaslight in your room.

2 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund, 1926. Mahapurushji reached the Nilgiri Hills from Madras on the 4th June and stayed there at Sri Hatiramji Math, the summer residence of the head of the temple of Balaji at Tirupati. The climate of Ootacamund is very salubrious, and the scenery charming. After coming here, Mahapurushji spent his time mostly by himself; he did not much like to mix with people. All the same, the local devotees came to him every afternoon, heard him talk on spiritual matters, and returned home with his blessings and their hearts full of joy. His spiritual disposition began to attract more and more devotees. Apart from such spiritual ministration, he remained absorbed in his own Self, merged in the infinite Brahman, the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. His mind seemed to be getting gradually more and more withdrawn from the things of the world, and he became more reserved and indrawn. The only expression of life on the ordinary human plane that one could notice in him in those days was when he talked and kept company with the simple hill boys and girls. When he went out for his walk in the morning and evening, he used to have in his pockets a few sweets and coins, which he distributed on the way among those innocent children; and he mixed with them whole-heartedly as though he was one of themselves. When he sat alone in his room in Sri Hatiramji Math, he closed his eyes, or he looked at something far away with vacant eyes, as if his mind travelled in some supersensuous plane. One felt awed when approaching him at such moments. Often he would say that he would free himself from all the responsibilities of the head of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and spend the rest of his days in the deep solitude of the Nilgiri Hills. His mind remained completely detached from everything, above all mundane entanglements.

3 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926.

Mahapurushji was staying at Sri Hatiramji Math, the summer residence of the head of the temple of Balaji at Tirupati.

One day, he was sitting quietly in his room after his morning walk, with his face towards the wide glazed window; his eyes seemed to be fixed on the blue hills spread before him like huge waves.

One of his attendants, who happened to enter the room just then, noticed him sitting thus in an abstracted mood. Feeling rather alarmed, he asked: Maharaj, do you feel unwell?'

It looked as if the question did not enter his ears fully, though it disturbed the current of his thought. He opened his lips and said as if in continuation of the thought running through his mind at that time: 'Listen. The spiritual atmosphere of this place is very elevating; the mind naturally runs after the Infinite. I had no idea before that this place was so full of high spiritual inspiration.

Now as the days roll on, more of it is being revealed to me and making me mute with wonder. I now think of the infinite grace of the Master that he should have brought me here for the very purpose of giving me the bliss of such divine realization.

I had the same kind of feeling when I was in the Himalayas many years ago. The mind has a natural tendency towards meditation, and it soon becomes quiet and serene. It takes some effort to bring it down.

Many saints and rishis must have undertaken deep spiritual practices here; they have left the place surcharged with great spiritual power. It is very conducive to spiritual practices.

C. and others remarked the other day that the forests here abound in fruits of various kinds. Maybe the rishis lived on those fruits and spent their days in spiritual practices.'

He kept silent for some time and then continued: `The other day, when I sat thus looking quietly at the blue ranges, I noticed somebody coming out of this body and spreading over the whole world.'

With these words he closed his lips. After a long while he drew a long breath and said: 'The Master is my Paramatman, the supreme Self; it is He who pervades the whole universe:

"A quarter of His is this whole universe; His other three immortal quarters are in the bright region.”‘

4 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926.

Struck with wonder, the attendant said with folded hands: “Shall we never have any of these realizations, Maharaj? I cannot even slightly perceive what speciality there is in the spiritual atmosphere of this place.”

Mahapurushji: “Look here, my son, it is He alone who can bring about any realization. Hold fast to Him. Weep and pray to Him; out of His grace He will grant you everything at the right moment. He is the master of our minds, He is the supreme Self that has come down as our Master.”

Jai Ramakrishna

5 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

If He, out of His grace, but turns the mind even a little, then this very restless mind, mad as an elephant as it is, becomes calm and gets lost in samadhi; it gives up all attachment to worldly things once for all.

How can one reach high spiritual states unless the mind becomes very fine? Again, can the mind rise to the supersensuous plane all of a sudden? It requires long spiritual practice.

One can have the higher spiritual realizations only when the mind becomes finer than the finest and attains a high level of consciousness.

The spiritual moods become manifest through a mind that is purified.

As the mind reaches higher levels of consciousness, spiritual realities of greater order become reflected in it.

What is essential is to have faith in and devotion to His lotus feet; when that is there, everything is achieved.

As the news of Mahapurushji's stay at Ootacamund spread, many devotees from all over Madras State gathered there to have his blessings and to be in his holy company. They all returned to their homes with their expectations fulfilled and with fresh inspiration for higher endeavour.

Many devotees came from Malabar (Kerala) as well, and they were all initiated by Mahapurushji.

Place: Ootacamund. 1926. Here Mahapurushji initiated many devotees. One of them prayed for Mahapurushji's blessings on the eve of his departure, and said: "I had not the good fortune of seeing the Master. You are my master; you are my highest refuge."

At this, Mahapurushji affectionately said: "He alone is the supreme refuge of all; he is the Lord. You must have read in the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna how he would say that the wave belongs to the sea and not the sea to the wave. I am a mere slave of his, having taken refuge at his feet. In the Gita, Sri Krishna says that He is 'the goal, the supporter, the lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the friend, the origin, the dissolution, the substratum, the storehouse, and the seed immutable' of all. God is everything; He is the basis of everything.

It is only by virtue of merit earned in many previous lives that you have come under the protective care of Sri Ramakrishna, the incarnation of this age. And an insignificant servant of his has dedicated you at his blessed feet. Your life is fulfilled, and it gets a fresh lease by this dedication at the feet of God.

Shankaracharya has said: 'Three things, namely a human birth, a longing for liberation, and the blessings of a great soul, are rare indeed, and can be had by the grace of God alone.' They are, indeed, difficult to obtain, and can be had by divine dispensation alone. By your good luck, you have got all the three treasures; now get merged in the ocean of God's love, and you will become immortal.

In the Vaishnava scriptures, they have a beautiful saying: 'One has the grace of all the three, the guru, Krishna, and the Vaishnavas; and yet, in the absence of the mercy of one alone (one's own self), one goes to rack and ruin.' One may have the grace of God, the mercy of a guru, and the benign help of a great devotee who has known Vishnu; yet everything comes to nought without the favour of one, that is, one's own sincere effort; and so the poor creature cannot get liberation.

In your life also, you are lucky to have all these factors. Now, with the help of what you have received, be absorbed in your spiritual practices, attain immortality, become immortal yourself. You will then be free for ever from this endless circle of birth and death."

5 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund, 1926. Here Mahapurushji initiated many devotees. One of them prayed for Mahapurushji’s blessings on the eve of his departure, and said: “I had not the good fortune of seeing the Master. You are my master; you are my highest refuge.” At this, Mahapurushji affectionately said: “He alone is the supreme refuge of all; he is the Lord. You must have read in the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna how he would say that the wave belongs to the sea and not the sea to the wave. I am a mere slave of his, having taken refuge at his feet.” 06/03/2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926.

A devotee: "Kindly bless me, so that I may lose myself in my spiritual practices, and never more be entangled in the net of this worldly life."

Mahapurushji: "I tell you all this only because you have my blessings. I bless you from the bottom of my heart that you may devote yourself heart and soul to the thought of our Master. Really speaking, my son, blessing is the only thing we have. How can I express the joy we feel when we come across somebody who wants to reach God or even makes the slightest effort in that direction? Those who want to become free from the bondage of this world and make a sincere effort towards that end are very dear to us. The Master came to liberate bound souls from their bondage. We too are his servants, dinging for ever to his feet. The only task in our life is to draw people towards God, to help them to proceed towards Him. That is why the Master brought us with him, and still keeps us here. Until our last breath, we shall be teaching that alone, telling people how they can attain God. This world is ephemeral; it lasts for a few days only. What a trouble it is to be here! And still, how strange it is that people become so engrossed in this momentary existence! They become so mad after the fleeting happiness of this world that they entirely forget the real aim of life. Such is the play of Maya that deludes the whole world. Mind you, my son, you are still a young man; your mind has not been stamped with worldliness as yet. I tell you the essence of it all, the one thing that we feel in the inmost recesses of our heart."

07/03/2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926.

Jai Ramakrishna

Mahapurushji: Nothing can be achieved without renunciation. That is why the Upanishad declares: "It was through renunciation that some rare souls attained immortality." It is through renunciation alone that one can become immortal. Yoga and bhoga, union with God and sense-enjoyment, cannot go together. One cannot get any taste of the bliss of Brahman unless one gives up the happiness of this world. The Master drew a true picture of the world in a few simple words: The world consists of lust and lucre (or "woman and gold", in his own homely phrase). It will not do to have mere external renunciation; one must eradicate from one's very mind any desire for "woman and gold". Tulasidas also says: "Rama cannot be where kama (passion, lust) is." One must give up the desire for all worldly enjoyment if one would realize God.

Mahapurushji: 'Yes, sometimes I was with him; and sometimes we met by chance during those days. Once, I set out with Brahmachari Haran of Varanasi to visit the places of pilgrimage in the Western Himalayas. When we were at Hathras on our way to Vrindaban, we heard that Swamiji was there at the house of a railway officer. Swamiji was then suffering from fever. So we went to see him. He was greatly delighted at this unexpected meeting. I cannot give you any idea of the way he cut jokes with us, related many incidents merrily and full of humour, and expressed great joy at everything, in spite of his high temperature. The fever left him after three days, but it made him very weak.

6 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926. A devotee: “Kindly bless me, so that I may lose myself in my spiritual practices, and never more be entangled in the net of this worldly life.”

Mahapurushji: “I tell you all this only because you have my blessings. I bless you from the bottom of my heart that you may devote yourself heart and soul to the thought of our Master. Really speaking, my son, blessing is the only thing we have. How can I express the joy we feel when we come across somebody who wants to reach God or even makes the slightest effort in that direction? Those who want to become free from the bondage of this world and make a sincere effort towards that end are very dear to us. The Master came to liberate bound souls from their bondage. We too are his servants, clinging for ever to his feet. The only task in our life is to draw people towards God, to help them to proceed towards Him. That is why the Master brought us with him, and still keeps us here. Until our last breath, we shall be teaching that alone, telling people how they can attain God.

This world is ephemeral; it lasts for a few days only. What a trouble it is to be here! And still, how strange it is that people become so engrossed in this momentary existence! They become so mad after the fleeting happiness of this world that they entirely forget the real aim of life. Such is the play of Maya that deludes the whole world. Mind you, my son, you are still a young man; your mind has not been stamped with worldliness as yet. I tell you the essence of it all, the one thing that we feel in the inmost recesses of our heart.”

7 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Ootacamund. 1926. Mahapurushji: “Nothing can be achieved without renunciation. That is why the Upanishad declares: ‘It was through renunciation that some rare souls attained immortality.’ It is through renunciation alone that one can become immortal. Yoga and bhoga, union with God and sense-enjoyment, cannot go together. One cannot get any taste of the bliss of Brahman unless one gives up the happiness of this world. The Master drew a true picture of the world in a few simple words: The world consists of lust and lucre (or ‘woman and gold’, in his own homely phrase). It will not do to have mere external renunciation; one must eradicate from one’s very mind any desire for ‘woman and gold’.

Tulasidas also says: ‘Rama cannot be where kama (passion, lust) is.’ One must give up the desire for all worldly enjoyment if one would realize God.”

A monk asked him: “Maharaj, were you and Swamiji together during the days of wandering?”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, sometimes I was with him; and sometimes we met by chance during those days. Once, I set out with Brahmachari Haran of Varanasi to visit the places of pilgrimage in the Western Himalayas. When we were at Hathras on our way to Vrindaban, we heard that Swamiji was there at the house of a railway officer. Swamiji was then suffering from fever. So we went to see him. He was greatly delighted at this unexpected meeting. I cannot give you any idea of the way he cut jokes with us, related many incidents merrily and full of humour, and expressed great joy at everything, in spite of his high temperature. The fever left him after three days, but it made him very weak.”

8 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

A monk asked him: “Maharaj, were you and Swamiji together during the days of wandering?”

The fever left him after three days, but it made him very weak. He asked us to finish our pilgrimage to Vrindaban. It was planned that after this we should go with Swamiji to Rishikesh, for we expected that he would be all right by that time. Haran and myself went to Vrindaban, where we spent a few days happily.

Jai Ramakrishna 9 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

So I started for Calcutta with Swamiji. When we reached the Math, we consulted Dr. Bepin Ghosh, and it was under his treatment that Swamiji fully regained his health. Then, after moving about here and there for some time, Swamiji went to Rishikesh for spiritual practices with some of us brother-disciples. There the days and nights were spent in intense austerity, spiritual practices, and discussion on Vedanta. Swamiji would say that he had never before had such joy in his life. It was the rainy season then; at that time other monks seldom stayed there; and the only place to be depended on was the chatra (a place where food is distributed freely to the monks). In those days, Rishikesh was really an ideal place for spiritual practices. After some days had been spent thus in spiritual practices and Vedantic discussions amidst great joy, Swamiji was laid up with fever. 10 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Varanasi. Time: 1927-28. During his stay at Varanasi, Mahapurushji initiated about fifty people, both men and women. Varanasi being the place of Shiva, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Saradananda, and other intimate disciples of the Master had refrained from giving initiation at this place. Hence, a few monks and also a few of his attendants had some doubt in their minds as to the propriety of his breaking that rule. To have this doubt removed, an attendant asked him one day: "Maharaj, a doubt has arisen in our minds. Please enlighten us on this point. We have heard that Raja Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and others refrained from giving initiation at Varanasi. But how is it, may we ask, that you have been initiating disciples here?"

At this question of the attendant, he remained very grave and quiet for a while, and then said slowly: "Look here, my son, I never entertain the idea that I am initiating anyone. The Master, out of his mercy, never instilled the idea of a guru in me. Shiva is the guru of the whole world, and the Master is so in this age. It is he who inspires the devotees to come here, and I tell them as he prompts me from within. He is the soul of my soul." Mahapurush Maharaj lived in a corner-room on the first floor of the Advaita Ashrama. It was winter. Both the Ashramas (the Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama and the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service) were full of sadhus and brahmacharins. Many of them had come there to live in the holy company of Mahapurushji. Besides, the devotees came crowding there every day, so that it seemed like a festival and was an occasion for rejoicing.

Jai Ramakrishna One morning, as the inmates of both the ashramas were saluting him and departing one by one after receiving his blessings, he said to one of the monks: 'Look here, I had a very delightful experience last night. It was dead of night, and I was in bed, when I suddenly saw a person of white complexion with matted hair and three eyes; he came and stood before me. His divine effulgence lighted up the whole place. Ah, what a beautiful and lovely appearance he had, and how compassionate was his look! The vision pressed all my spiritual energy upward, so that my whole being soon became stilled in divine absorption and full of bliss. Just then, I saw that form vanishing and the Master standing there instead, with a smiling face. Pointing to me with his hand, he said: "You have to continue in this body, for you have still something more to do." As the Master said so, the mind started coming down to the normal plane and my body began functioning as usual. It is all his will. As for myself, I felt very happy all the time. The Master is none other than Vishvanatha (Shiva of Varanasi) himself.' The Monk: 'Did you have the vision in a dream?' Mahapurushji: No, no; I was wide awake.' Saying thus, he started talking about other matters, as though trying to stop further discussion about it.

3/10/25 - Swami Dayatmananda: 11 March 2025 (Teachings of Swami Shivananda) Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929. Mahapurush Maharaj felt rather unwell today. Only two days back, the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna had been celebrated on a grand scale and with great eclat. About a hundred and fifty thousand people had gathered on the occasion. That day, from early morning and till late in the evening, innumerable people had been blessed by touching his feet or seeing him from a distance. It was as though he were divinely inspired. He talked unceasingly with the devotees about the Master and made them all happy, giving instructions about various spiritual problems raised by them. From early morning today, the sadhus and brahmacharins of the Math began to gather in his room, and saluted him with all devotion and respect. As soon as an old monk came to him, he greeted him with, 'Om, salutation to Shiva! Glory to Mother!' Soon the talk turned to Dakshineswar. The newly initiated sannyasins and brahmacharins were to go to the Dakshineswar temple that day, where they would pass the whole day in meditation, devotional music, etc. The temple authorities had arranged to give prasada to thirty monks. On hearing all that, Mahapurushji was highly pleased and said: Dakshineswar is our heaven on earth; it is our Kailasa, our Vaikuntha. Is that an ordinary place? The Panchavati is a great seat of spiritual perfection, where the Master had innumerable spiritual experiences of a very high order. For twelve long years he practised different modes of divine communion at Dakshineswar. The divine visions and spiritual realizations that he had there are without any parallel. The history of religion has no record of such intense and diversified spiritual practices and such high spiritual experiences in the life of any other incarnation. The Master used to say: "The experiences that occurred here (meaning in himself) have transcended all that has been recorded anywhere else." That is why Swamiji used to refer to the Master as "the greatest Avatara". The Master brought the dust of Vrindaban and spread it on the ground of the Panchavati. Every particle of dust in Dakshineswar is holy. Blessed by the touch of the holy feet of God Himself, Dakshineswar has become a great place of pilgrimage. It is a great place of spiritual inspiration to people of all denominations, be they non-dualists, or dualists, Shaktas or Vaishnavas, Shaivas or Tantrikas; for the Master practised all those modes of divine communion and attained perfection in them. This time, God manifested His greatest satvika aspect. 12 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: March 19, 1929.

Just after Mahapurushji had sat for his lunch, Swami Suddhananda came and inquired: “How are you today, Maharaj?”

Mahapurushji kept on looking at him vacantly for some time, and then, as if awakened from sleep, slowly said: “You enquire about this body? The body is tottering, and nobody knows what will happen to it the next moment. Now it is the turn of you and others to take up the responsibility of doing the Master’s work. It seems the Master will grant me release this time. It is all hollow inside the body; I do not feel any strength. But he is increasing the power of the mind day by day. I now stand on the brink of nirvana; and in front, I notice the vast abode of infinity. Out of his grace, the Master has freed me from all bondages; he has cleared the way to nirvana. Well, that is enough! The Master has shown me all; he has granted me self-fulfilment.” (With eyes closed) “Now I have no more worries; it does not matter whether the body goes or stays.”

Swami Suddhananda: “How is that, Maharaj? As for ourselves, it is our conviction that, for the good of the many and for the welfare of this Order, the Master will keep you for a long time yet. You are now passing through a great strain; that is why your health is affected. We are all sincerely trying to see that this strain is avoided. Innumerable people are being benefited by your mere presence; and we too feel secure.”

Mahapurushji: “I know that you all love me deeply, and I too am very happy in the company of monks and devotees like you. Further, I know that the Master will get whatever possible done through this body; before that he will not release me. Now and then I think: ‘Why does the Master still retain this body? He must have some inscrutable purpose to serve. Else why should he make this frail body work in this manner? I have neither scholarship nor intelligence; I cannot talk or speak well; yet he is having so much work done through this broken instrument of his.’”

13 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: March 19, 1929.

Swami Suddhananda wanted to change the topic, and said: “Three persons have gone to bring Gangadhar Maharaj (Swami Akhandananda).”

After lunch, an attendant helped Mahapurushji carefully out of his seat, for it was difficult for him to rise by his own effort. Slowly, he sat down in his chair. In front of his room a monk was pouring some water from an earthen pot for drinking. Noticing him, he said: “Hullo, so you are going (for tapasya) now?”

“Yes,” he replied, “I am thinking of leaving next Thursday.”

Jai Ramakrishna 14 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

15 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda) 16 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: March 23, 1929.

Mahapurushji: See, for instance, how Swamiji, Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda), Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda), Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda), and Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda) left their bodies one by one. But is our love or respect for them any the less on that account? Or, has their spiritual power been lost to any extent, or can it ever be so? That is unthinkable. They are still there, and their power is working still through different instruments. They are still inspiring us and guiding us along the proper course. They are in their spiritual bodies now, and they are doing greater work in a subtle way. They can be seen even now. Just as they were advising us about different matters when they were in their gross bodies, similarly they advise us even now whenever the need arises. While in divine communion the mind reaches a high plane, where it comes into intimate contact with these great souls; and one can, if need be, get from them indications as to the way to be followed. We too, when our physical forms vanish, shall merge in the Master; so that when one thinks of the Master, one will be thinking of us as well, as a matter of course. 17 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 4, 1929. Some devotees were present in Mahapurushji's room, with whom he had been talking joyfully. Just then a girl, who had received the mantra from Mahapurushji, came with her mother from Calcutta to pay her respects to him. She was only thirteen or fourteen years of age, and was reading in school. They both made their obeisance to him, asked for his blessing, and inquired about his health. Then the mother said with all humility: "Please bless my daughter that she may have devotion to, and faith in our Master. It is my wish that I shall not give her away in marriage. She will spend her days in repeating the name of the Master, and live blissfully. I confess, father, this world is full of sorrow; I am myself a sufferer. I have the bitterest disillusionment about the happiness that the world promises. So I would not knowingly throw my daughter into this conflagration that the world is. Do please bless her a little."

Mahapurushji: "I bless her abundantly, I bless her wholeheartedly." Then he looked at the daughter affectionately, and said: "Call on the Master with your whole being, and remain pure. The Master is the father, mother, husband, friend, and everything. 'O Lord of lords, you are the father, you are the mother, you are the friend, and you are the constant companion; you are my learning, you are my wealth, and you are everything to me.' You are a student now. Study your books carefully, and along with that repeat mentally the mantra of the Master that you have received. You may study or you may do whatever you like, my child, but know it for certain that the ultimate goal of life is to see God. Keep your eyes always turned towards Him. This world is, after all, ephemeral: it lasts just for a few days. The only eternal reality is God. Live a very pure life. God reveals Himself to those hearts that are sincere and pure. Purity is the only basis of a spiritual life. You must have read the life of our Holy Mother. She is the ideal for the womanhood of this age all over the world. Her life is wonderful. She accepted a human body and lived like any ordinary housewife, though in reality she was none other than the Mother of the Universe, the primal divine Energy."

9 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

So I started for Calcutta with Swamiji. When we reached the Math, we consulted Dr. Bepin Ghosh, and it was under his treatment that Swamiji fully regained his health. Then, after moving about here and there for some time, Swamiji went to Rishikesh for spiritual practices with some of us brother-disciples. There the days and nights were spent in intense austerity, spiritual practices, and discussion on Vedanta. Swamiji would say that he had never before had such joy in his life.

It was the rainy season then; at that time other monks seldom stayed there; and the only place to be depended on was the *chatra* (a place where food is distributed freely to the monks). In those days, Rishikesh was really an ideal place for spiritual practices. After some days had been spent thus in spiritual practices and Vedantic discussions amidst great joy, Swamiji was laid up with fever. Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda), Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda), and some other brother-disciples were with Swamiji.

The fever began to increase. But there was no physician near the place, neither an allopath nor a *kaviraj*. So all of them became very anxious about him. One day it so happened that when the temperature began to drop after a steep rise, Swamiji's body became cold like ice; the pulse almost stopped; and only the head was somewhat warm. He could not talk, and there was no hope of life. All were at their wit's end, and they began to pray to the Master in great distress: "Master, do please save us from this calamity; do please bring Naren round. Or, if you choose to take Naren away, then take us too, along with him."

All were in agony, and yet they were helpless. One of the brother-disciples had gone down to the Ganga, where an old monk was bathing. He (the old monk) belonged to those parts and lived there always. He asked the brother-disciple: "Why do you look so sad?" In answer he described Swamiji's condition in full. Then the monk came to Swamiji, examined him thoroughly, and said: "You need not worry. I shall give you a medicine which you should grind with a little *pipal* powder and honey, and apply it to his tongue. You will soon find him reviving."

Saying this, he returned to his hut and gave some medicine that looked like ash. The other ingredients were also procured, and after pasting these properly as directed by the old monk, the medicine was applied to Swamiji's tongue. Strangely enough, soon after it was administered Swamiji's body began to warm up, and he felt much better. When Swamiji heard the whole incident from others, he complained: "Why did you take the trouble of administering that medicine? I was in a state of great joy."

10 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Varanasi.

Time: 1927–28.

During his stay at Varanasi, Mahapurushji initiated about fifty people, both men and women. Varanasi being the place of Shiva, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Saradananda, and other intimate disciples of the Master had refrained from giving initiation at this place. Hence, a few monks and also a few of his attendants had some doubt in their minds as to the propriety of his breaking that rule. To have this doubt removed, an attendant asked him one day: “Maharaj, a doubt has arisen in our minds. Please enlighten us on this point. We have heard that Raja Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and others refrained from giving initiation at Varanasi. But how is it, may we ask, that you have been initiating disciples here?”

At this question of the attendant, he remained very grave and quiet for a while, and then said slowly: “Look here, my son, I never entertain the idea that I am initiating anyone. The Master, out of his mercy, never instilled the idea of a guru in me. Shiva is the guru of the whole world, and the Master is so in this age. It is he who inspires the devotees to come here, and I tell them as he prompts me from within. He is the soul of my soul.”

Mahapurush Maharaj lived in a corner-room on the first floor of the Advaita Ashrama. It was winter. Both the Ashramas (the Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama and the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service) were full of sadhus and brahmacharins. Many of them had come there to live in the holy company of Mahapurushji. Besides, the devotees came crowding there every day, so that it seemed like a festival and was an occasion for rejoicing.

One morning, as the inmates of both the ashramas were saluting him and departing one by one after receiving his blessings, he said to one of the monks: “Look here, I had a very delightful experience last night. It was dead of night, and I was in bed, when I suddenly saw a person of white complexion with matted hair and three eyes; he came and stood before me. His divine effulgence lighted up the whole place. Ah, what a beautiful and lovely appearance he had, and how compassionate was his look! The vision pressed all my spiritual energy upward, so that my whole being soon became stilled in divine absorption and full of bliss. Just then, I saw that form vanishing and the Master standing there instead, with a smiling face. Pointing to me with his hand, he said: ‘You have to continue in this body, for you have still something more to do.’ As the Master said so, the mind started coming down to the normal plane and my body began functioning as usual. It is all his will. As for myself, I felt very happy all the time. The Master is none other than Vishvanatha (Shiva of Varanasi) himself.”

The Monk: “Did you have the vision in a dream?”

Mahapurushji: “No, no; I was wide awake.”

Saying thus, he started talking about other matters, as though trying to stop further discussion about it.

11 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929.

Mahapurush Maharaj felt rather unwell today. Only two days back, the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna had been celebrated on a grand scale and with great eclat. About a hundred and fifty thousand people had gathered on the occasion. That day, from early morning and till late in the evening, innumerable people had been blessed by touching his feet or seeing him from a distance.

It was as though he were divinely inspired.

He talked unceasingly with the devotees about the Master and made them all happy, giving instructions about various spiritual problems raised by them.

From early morning today, the sadhus and brahmacharins of the Math began to gather in his room, and saluted him with all devotion and respect.

As soon as an old monk came to him, he greeted him with, 'Om, salutation to Shiva! Glory to Mother!' Soon the talk turned to Dakshineswar.

The newly initiated sannyasins and brahmacharins were to go to the Dakshineswar temple that day, where they would pass the whole day in meditation, devotional music, etc. The temple authorities had arranged to give prasada to thirty monks.

On hearing all that, Mahapurushji was highly pleased and said: Dakshineswar is our heaven on earth; it is our Kailasa, our Vaikuntha. Is that an ordinary place? The Panchavati is a great seat of spiritual perfection, where the Master had innumerable spiritual experiences of a very high order.

For twelve long years he practised different modes of divine communion at Dakshineswar. The divine visions and spiritual realizations that he had there are without any parallel. The history of religion has no record of such intense and diversified spiritual practices and such high spiritual experiences in the life of any other incarnation.

The Master used to say: "The experiences that occurred here (meaning in himself) have transcended all that has been recorded anywhere else." That is why Swamiji used to refer to the Master as "the greatest Avatara".

`The Master brought the dust of Vrindaban and spread it on the ground of the Panchavati. Every particle of dust in Dakshineswar is holy.

Blessed by the touch of the holy feet of God Himself, Dakshineswar has become a great place of pilgrimage. It is a great place of spiritual inspiration to people of all denominations, be they non-dualists, or dualists, Shaktas or Vaishnavas, Shaivas or Tantrikas; for the Master practised all those modes of divine communion and attained perfection in them.

This time, God manifested His greatest satvika aspect. It was that Primordial Power, the great Mother of the universe, the source of all creation, who expressed Herself freely and playfully, as it were, through the body of our Master.

The intense spiritual sadhana that the Master went through will exert its influence not only on this earth, but also in the regions higher up, even up to heaven. Ah, what a play of divine power it was!'

As he spoke thus, his whole face became flushed, and he sat silent with his eyes looking down.

12 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: March 19, 1929.

Just after Mahapurushji had sat for his lunch, Swami Suddhananda came and inquired: “How are you today, Maharaj?”

Mahapurushji kept on looking at him vacantly for some time, and then, as if awakened from sleep, slowly said: “You enquire about this body? The body is tottering, and nobody knows what will happen to it the next moment. Now it is the turn of you and others to take up the responsibility of doing the Master’s work. It seems the Master will grant me release this time. It is all hollow inside the body; I do not feel any strength. But he is increasing the power of the mind day by day. I now stand on the brink of nirvana; and in front, I notice the vast abode of infinity. Out of his grace, the Master has freed me from all bondages; he has cleared the way to nirvana. Well, that is enough! The Master has shown me all; he has granted me self-fulfilment.”

Jai Ramakrishna

13 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929. Swami Suddhananda wanted to change the topic, and said: "Three persons have gone to bring Gangadhar Maharaj (Swami Akhandananda)."

After lunch, an attendant helped Mahapurushji carefully out of his seat, for it was difficult for him to rise by his own effort. Slowly, he sat down in his chair. In front of his room a monk was pouring some water from an earthen pot for drinking. Noticing him, he said: "Hullo, so you are going (for tapasya) now?"

"Yes," he replied, "I am thinking of leaving next Thursday."

With a deep sigh, Mahapurushji said: "Yes, so you have to go. Well, all have to go. That is the world. We meet only for a couple of days, and then nobody knows the whereabouts of others. Only the ever-blissful Mother is real; everything else is ephemeral. Creation goes on eternally like a current; there is no break in it. The eternally blissful Mother is beyond this creation, beyond speech and mind. 'That, failing to reach which speech turns back together with the mind.'"

14 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929. Mahapurushji used to eat very sparingly at night; sometimes, it used to be nothing more than a little milk or a couple of dry grapes or prunes in a little milk. This night, too, he was drinking a little milk, when Swami X came and stood before him after saluting him. After discussing several things, they began talking about the activities of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Mahapurushji said: "It delights me very much to find you all gathered here. The Master gives a shaking to his order now and then to awaken its dormant power of collective effort and to show that his work cannot be carried on by anyone individually; it must be performed by the monks of this Order in unison, and then only will it be well done. The more storms and stresses there will be, the more the power of the Master's Order (sangha-shakti) will be roused."

Mahapurushji: All superior achievements have to pass through many tribulations. The more obstacles there are, the greater will be the love and faith in all hearts for the Master, and the more sincere will be the reliance on him. 15 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 23, 1929. For the last few days, Mahapurushji had been suffering from a bad cold. Today he felt a little better. He is never worried about his physical health, he is always blissful even in the midst of the worst ailment. Physical pain or dangers cannot disturb the equilibrium of his well-poised mind. An old monk had arrived at the Math from a branch centre in the morning. He came upstairs and, after prostrating himself before Mahapurushji, asked: "How is your health, Maharaj?" Mahapurushji: "You inquire about this transient body? How can the body be well in this old age?" The monk: "Yes, Maharaj, that is what one can easily see. In fact, your health has deteriorated so much that it pains me to look at your body." Mahapurushji: "This body will not last long. The passing away of Swami Saradananda has paralysed my right side, as it were, and the mind seems vacant. I, too, was ready to depart. I fell seriously ill soon after Swami Saradananda's demise, and the mind became completely detached from work. I prayed to the Master to be relieved of this life, but he did not heed. He forced me back; and so here I am. He knows best why he did not allow me to go. Everything happens according to his will. I must continue here as long as it pleases him." The monk: "That is quite reassuring, Maharaj, that everything will proceed according to the Master's will. We pray to the Master earnestly that he may spare you for us for a long time to come. For your departure will mean an ebb in the spiritual current of the organization. You need not do anything personally; your presence alone is enough for us. By your mere wish, everything will go on well, just as it is going on even now. You will only give us spiritual strength, inspiration, and blessing. The actual work will be carried on by us."

13 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929.

Swami Suddhananda wanted to change the topic, and said: `Three persons have gone to bring Gangadhar Maharaj (Swami Akhandananda).'

After lunch, an attendant helped Mahapurushji carefully out of his seat, for it was difficult for him to rise by his own effort. Slowly, he sat down in his chair.

In front of his room a monk was pouring some water from an earthen pot for drinking.

Noticing him, he said: `Hullo, so you are going (for tapasya) now?'

'Yes,' he replied, 'I am thinking of leaving next Thursday.'

With a deep sigh, Mahapurushji said: `Yes, so you have to go. Well, all have to go. That is the world. We meet only for a couple of days, and then nobody knows the where-abouts of others. Only the ever-blissful Mother is real; everything else is ephemeral. Creation goes on eternally like a current; there is no break in it. The eternally blissful Mother is beyond this creation, beyond speech and mind.

"That, failing to reach which speech turns back together with the mind.”‘

Time: March 22, 1929.

Mahapurushji used to eat very sparingly at night, sometimes, it used to be nothing more than a little milk or a couple of dry grapes or prunes in a little milk. This night, too, he was drinking a little milk, when Swami X came and stood before him after saluting him.

After discussing several things, they began talking about the activities of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Mahapurushji said: 'It delights me very much to find you all gathered here. The Master gives a shaking to his order now and then to awaken its dormant power of collective effort and to show that his work cannot be carried on by anyone individually; it must be performed by the monks of this Order in unison, and then only will it be well done. The more storms and stresses there will be, the more the power of the Master's Order (sangha-shakti) will be roused.

14 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 19, 1929.

Mahapurushji: All superior achievements have to pass through many tribulations. The more obstacles there are, the greater will be the love and faith in all hearts for the Master, and the more sincere will be the reliance on him.

This organization came into being for setting in motion the religion of the age (yuga-dharma), and it is he who is working through every individual belonging to it. This work of ushering in a new order of things will continue to progress for centuries; nobody will be able to arrest its course. These are the words of Swamiji himself, who was a rishi seeing the past, present, and future.'

The sannyasin: 'What Swamiji said and what you also repeat can never be untrue. But, Maharaj, the environmental set-up sometimes renders it difficult to keep one's faith intact; one often loses one's enthusiasm for work; some indescribable fear and disbelief seem to take possession of the mind.'

Mahapurushji: 'That is but natural. You will be beset with fear, dislike, etc., many a time; and again they will all clear away. That is the nature of work. Can you tell me of any work that is wholly free from hindrance? And the obstruction becomes great in proportion as the work is great. The power of the soul is awakened as a result of that clash.

That power is nothing but the Mother Herself. All the works are Hers, and so also are we. One must stick to truth and perform all duties with this firm undertaking; for this is the work needed for establishing the religion of this age. That is why he has dragged us here along with himself.

Otherwise, could we not have kept ourselves fully occupied with the practice of contemplation and so forth? In fact, that was what we were doing but at the Master's behest, Swamiji introduced these activities and pressed us all into them as well.

Just see how Swamiji himself worked untiringly till the end of his life; this intensity of work told upon his health and destroyed his body. Could even Swamiji himself do all his works without obstruction? Consider, for instance, the circumstances leading to his departure for the West. To do God's work, he had to fight against innumerable difficulties.

15 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: March 23, 1929.

For the last few days, Mahapurushji had been suffering from a bad cold. Today he felt a little better. He is never worried about his physical health, he is always blissful even in the midst of the worst ailment. Physical pain or dangers cannot disturb the equilibrium of his well-poised mind.

An old monk had arrived at the Math from a branch centre in the morning. He came upstairs and, after prostrating himself before Mahapurushji, asked: 'How is your health, Maharaj?'

Mahapurushji: 'You inquire about this transient body? How can the body be well in this old age?'

The monk: 'Yes, Maharaj, that is what one can easily see. In fact, your health has deteriorated so much that it pains me to look at your body.'

Mahapurushji: 'This body will not last long. The passing away of Swami Saradananda has paralysed my right side, as it were, and the mind seems vacant. I, too, was ready to depart. I fell seriously ill soon after Swami Saradananda's demise, and the mind became completely detached from work.

I prayed to the Master to be relieved of this life, but he did not heed. He forced me back; and so here I am. He knows best why he did not allow me to go. Everything happens according to his will. I must continue here as long as it pleases him.'

The monk: 'That is quite reassuring, Maharaj, that everything will proceed according to the Master's will. We pray to the Master earnestly that he may spare you for us for a long time to come. For your departure will mean an ebb in the spiritual current of the organization. You need not do anything personally; your presence alone is enough for us. By your mere wish, everything will go on well, just as it is going on even now. You will only give us spiritual strength, inspiration, and blessing. The actual work will be carried on by us. How can I express, Maharaj, the strength we feel from the mere thought that you are there behind us, no matter where we are?'

Mahapurushji: 'I feel from the bottom of my heart how you love and respect me. The love, affection, and respect which the members of the Order feel for one another constitute the life-force of this organization. The spiritual power and unity of the organization will remain intact so long as this love for each other will remain untarnished, for this relationship of love centres round the Master. It has grown and expanded with him as the focal point. It cannot be wiped out with the death of the body. Nor will the power of the spiritual teachers of this organization that is actively at work be ever exhausted.

16 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: March 23, 1929.

Mahapurushji: See, for instance, how Swamiji, Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda), Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda), Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda), and Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda) left their bodies one by one. But is our love or respect for them any the less on that account? Or, has their spiritual power been lost to any extent, or can it ever be so? That is unthinkable. They are still there, and their power is working still through different instruments. They are still inspiring us and guiding us along the proper course. They are in their spiritual bodies now, and they are doing greater work in a subtle way. They can be seen even now. Just as they were advising us about different matters when they were in their gross bodies, similarly they advise us even now whenever the need arises. While in divine communion the mind reaches a high plane, where it comes into intimate contact with these great souls; and one can, if need be, get from them indications as to the way to be followed. We too, when our physical forms vanish, shall merge in the Master; so that when one thinks of the Master, one will be thinking of us as well, as a matter of course. We are his devotees, his servants; we have no existence apart from him. Our personality has lost itself in him. The Master is none other than the eternal Brahman.

The monk: 'But, Maharaj, we are on this gross plane; and we want you here just as you are. Besides, our minds have not reached so high. We cannot see the Master. You are his companion; you belong to his inner circle. You are before us as his representative. We are trying to understand the Master through you. If we can but lay our prayers at your feet, we feel that we have spoken to the Master himself.'

Mahapurushji: 'As to that, the relationship that we have with you will not end with the body. I bless you heartily that you may progress ever more; may your hearts be filled with devotion, love, purity, and so on. May many good things be done for the world by you. The Master will direct you properly, and he will fill you with great strength. The Master, Swamiji, and others came to this earth for the good of the world. They became embodied just for the sake of establishing peace in this world by letting in a flood of spiritual light. Swamiji set this organization in motion to fulfil that need of the age. The whole world will have to accept the ideal preached by Swamiji. There is no other way of establishing peace throughout the world.'

Jai Ramakrishna 17/03/2025 – 17 March 2025 (Teachings of Swami Shivananda). Place: Belur Math. Time: May 4, 1929. Some devotees were present in Mahapurushji's room, with whom he had been talking joyfully. Just then a girl, who had received the mantra from Mahapurushji, came with her mother from Calcutta to pay her respects to him. She was only thirteen or fourteen years of age, and was reading in school. They both made their obeisance to him, asked for his blessing, and inquired about his health. Then the mother said with all humility: “Please bless my daughter that she may have devotion to, and faith in our Master. It is my wish that I shall not give her away in marriage. She will spend her days in repeating the name of the Master, and live blissfully. I confess, father, this world is full of sorrow; I am myself a sufferer. I have the bitterest disillusionment about the happiness that the world promises. So I would not knowingly throw my daughter into this conflagration that the world is. Do please bless her a little.” Mahapurushji: “I bless her abundantly, I bless her wholeheartedly.” Then he looked at the daughter affectionately, and said: “Call on the Master with your whole being, and remain pure. The Master is the father, mother, husband, friend, and everything. ‘O Lord of lords, you are the father, you are the mother, you are the friend, and you are the constant companion; you are my learning, you are my wealth, and you are everything to me.’ You are a student now. Study your books carefully, and along with that repeat mentally the mantra of the Master that you have received. You may study or you may do whatever you like, my child, but know it for certain that the ultimate goal of life is to see God. Keep your eyes always turned towards Him. This world is, after all, ephemeral: it lasts just for a few days. The only eternal reality is God. Live a very pure life. God reveals Himself to those hearts that are sincere and pure. Purity is the only basis of a spiritual life. You must have read the life of our Holy Mother. She is the ideal for the womanhood of this age all over the world. Her life is wonderful. She accepted a human body and lived like any ordinary housewife, though in reality she was none other than the Mother of the Universe, the primal divine Energy. She was one of those who are enumerated in the scriptures as the ten Mahavidyas, Kali, Tara, and others. She came down to earth as the counterpart of the Master to complete his spiritual mission in this age. How can ordinary mortals understand her? Even we could not understand her in the beginning. She hid her divinity so completely that it was not possible to recognize her real nature. The Master alone knew who she really was; and Swamiji knew a little. Before proceeding to the West, Swamiji revealed his plan only to the Holy Mother; and with her blessing he crossed the ocean. The Holy Mother, too, blessed him from the bottom of her heart, and said: ‘My son, come back as a victorious hero; may the Goddess of Learning sit on your tongue.’ That is exactly what happened. With the Holy Mother's blessing Swamiji conquered the world. He sometimes declared that the Holy Mother is even greater than the Master. So deep was his reverence for her!”

18/03/2025 – 18 March 2025 (Today is the Janma-Tithi of Swami Yoganandaji Maharaj. May the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.). Though Jogin (Swami Yogananda) would trust a man easily and had the simplicity of a child, he was not a simpleton. Rather he had a keen discriminating mind and was critical in his outlook. What opinion he would give about men and things would often prove true. But his critical attitude once led him into a quandary. One night he slept in the same room with Sri Ramakrishna. 19/03/2025

In the dead of night, he found that Sri Ramakrishna was not in the room and the door was open. At first, he felt curious, then became suspicious as to where Sri Ramakrishna could go at such an unearthly hour. He came outside, but Sri Ramakrishna could not be seen. Did Sri Ramakrishna then go to his wife, who was then staying at the concert-house?—he thought. Then was Sri Ramakrishna not what he professed himself to be? He wanted to probe into the mystery and stood near the concert-house to see if Sri Ramakrishna came out of the room. After some time, Sri Ramakrishna came from the Panchavati side and was surprised to see him standing near the concert-house. Jogin was stupefied and felt ashamed of himself for his suspicion. A more sinful act can never be conceived of: to suspect even in thought the purity of a saint like Sri Ramakrishna! He was horror-struck at his own conduct and did not know what to say. Sri Ramakrishna understood the whole situation and consoled his young disciple with the encouraging words: “Yes, one should observe a Sadhu by day as well as at night before one accepts him as a guide.” With these words, Sri Ramakrishna came to his room, followed mutely by Jogin. Despite the sweet words from Sri Ramakrishna, he had no sleep throughout the rest of the night, and later throughout his whole life he did not forgive himself for what he considered to be an extremely sinful act. There are many incidents as to how Jogin, with all his devotion to Sri Ramakrishna, kept his critical faculty alert and did not fail to judge even his Guru.

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda) Place: Belur Math. Time: May 4, 1929. A woman devotee: “Maharaj, so you cooked for the Master as well?” Mahapurushji: “Yes, my daughter. The Master, being very ill then, was staying at Cossipore for treatment. We all lived there with Swamiji, and served him (the Master) all the twenty-four hours by turns. We all had our food there, for which Suresh Babu made the necessary arrangement. There was also a cook. Once, when he (the cook) fell ill, we ourselves cooked by turns. The food was very simple: rice, pulse, vegetable soup, and so on. Our mind was then in such a state that we did not give much thought to food, and we were satisfied with what came to hand easily. On the one hand, the Master was seriously ill, and on the other, our own minds were afire with spiritual yearning. One night during that period, it was my turn to prepare *rota* (unleavened bread), pulse, and a vegetable curry. When I added the spices to the curry, the Master smelt it from his room above and said: ‘Who is it that is cooking tonight? The seasoning smells so nice!’ When he heard that I was cooking, he said: ‘Oh, fetch some of it for me.’ He partook a little of this vegetable curry that night. He was then suffering from pain in the throat, so he could hardly take anything. A little bit of semolina boiled in milk would be given to him, which he ate with great difficulty. Sometimes, he could not swallow it at all. Over and above this, he was so constantly in divine moods and *samadhi* that he hardly had any external consciousness. What happy days we spent there at Cossipore when engaged in the service of the Master and in intense spiritual quest! It seems as though the Master courted that disease in order to bring us all together and give shape to his future organization. How can ordinary mortals delve into the mystery of the acts of an Incarnation?” Saying this, he became absolutely speechless and sat still for some time.

17 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 4, 1929.

Some devotees were present in Mahapurushji's room, with whom he had been talking joyfully. Just then a girl, who had received the mantra from Mahapurushji, came with her mother from Calcutta to pay her respects to him. She was only thirteen or fourteen years of age, and was reading in school. They both made their obeisance to him, asked for his blessing, and inquired about his health.

Then the mother said with all humility: `Please bless my daughter that she may have devotion to, and faith in our Master. It is my wish that I shall not give her away in marriage. She will spend her days in repeating the name of the Master, and live blissfully. I confess, father, this world is full of sorrow; I am myself a sufferer. I have the bitterest disillusionment about the happiness that the world promises. So I would not knowingly throw my daughter into this conflagration that the world is. Do please bless her a little.'

Mahapurushji: 'I bless her abundantly, I bless her wholeheartedly.'

Then he looked at the daughter affectionately, and said: 'Call on the Master with your whole being, and remain pure. The Master is the father, mother, husband, friend, and everything.

"O Lord of lords, you are the father, you are the mother, you are the friend, and you are the constant companion; you are my learning, you are my wealth, and you are everything to me."

You are a student now. Study your books carefully, and along with that repeat mentally the mantra of the Master that you have received. You may study or you may do whatever you like, my child, but know it for certain that the ultimate goal of life is to see God. Keep your eyes always turned towards Him. This world is, after all, ephemeral: it lasts just for a few days. The only eternal reality is God.

Live a very pure life. God reveals Himself to those hearts that are sincere and pure. Purity is the only basis of a spiritual life.

`You must have read the life of our Holy Mother. She is the ideal for the womanhood of this age all over the world. Her life is wonderful. She accepted a human body and lived like any ordinary housewife, though in reality she was none other than the Mother of the Universe, the primal divine Energy.

She was one of those who are enumerated in the scriptures as the ten Mahavidyas, Kali, Tara, and others. She came down to earth as the counterpart of the Master to complete his spiritual mission in this age. How can ordinary mortals understand her?

Even we could not understand her in the beginning. She hid her divinity so completely that it was not possible to recognize her real nature. The Master alone knew who she really was; and Swamiji knew a little. Before proceeding to the West, Swamiji revealed his plan only to the Holy Mother; and with her blessing he crossed the ocean.

The Holy Mother, too, blessed him from the bottom of her heart, and said: "My son, come back as a victorious hero; may the Goddess of Learning sit on your tongue."

`That is exactly what happened. With the Holy Mother's blessing Swamiji conquered the world. He sometimes declared that the Holy Mother is even greater than the Master. So deep was his reverence for her!

18 March 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Swami Yoganandaji Maharaj. May the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

Though Jogin (Swami Yogananda) would trust a man easily and had the simplicity of a child, he was not a simpleton. Rather he had a keen discriminating mind and was critical in his outlook. What opinion he would give about men and things would often prove true. But his critical attitude once led him into a quandary.

One night he slept in the same room with Sri Ramakrishna. In the dead of night he found that Sri Ramakrishna was not in the room and the door was open.

At first, he felt curious, then became suspicious as to where Sri Ramakrishna could go at such an unearthly hour. He came outside, but Sri Ramakrishna could not be seen. Did Sri Ramakrishna then go to his wife, who was then staying at the concert-house? —he thought. Then was Sri Ramakrishna not what he professed himself to be? He wanted to probe into the mystery and stood near the concert-house to see if Sri Ramakrishna came out of the room.

After some time, Sri Ramakrishna came from the Panchavati side and was surprised to see him standing near the concert-house. Jogin was stupefied and felt ashamed of himself for his suspicion. A more sinful act can never be conceived of: to suspect even in thought the purity of a saint like Sri Ramakrishna! He was horror-struck at his own conduct and did not know what to say.

Sri Ramakrishna understood the whole situation and consoled his young disciple with the encouraging words: "Yes, one should observe a Sadhu by day as well as at night before one accepts him as a guide."

With these words Sri Ramakrishna came to his room, followed mutely by Jogin. Despite the sweet words from Sri Ramakrishna, he had no sleep throughout the rest of the night, and later throughout his whole life he did not forgive himself for what he considered to be an extremely sinful act.

There are many incidents as to how Jogin, with all his devotion to Sri Ramakrishna, kept his critical faculty alert and did not fail to judge even his Guru.

19 March 2025

Though Jogin (Swami Yogananda) would trust a man easily and had the simplicity of a child, he was not a simpleton. Rather he had a keen discriminating mind and was critical in his outlook. What opinion he would give about men and things would often prove true. But his critical attitude once led him into a quandary. One night he slept in the same room with Sri Ramakrishna. In the dead of night he found that Sri Ramakrishna was not in the room and the door was open. At first, he felt curious, then became suspicious as to where Sri Ramakrishna could go at such an unearthly hour. He came outside, but Sri Ramakrishna could not be seen. Did Sri Ramakrishna then go to his wife, who was then staying at the concert-house? —he thought. Then was Sri Ramakrishna not what he professed himself to be? He wanted to probe into the mystery and stood near the concert-house to see if Sri Ramakrishna came out of the room. After some time, Sri Ramakrishna came from the Panchavati side and was surprised to see him standing near the concert-house. Jogin was stupefied and felt ashamed of himself for his suspicion. A more sinful act can never be conceived of: to suspect even in thought the purity of a saint like Sri Ramakrishna! He was horror-struck at his own conduct and did not know what to say. Sri Ramakrishna understood the whole situation and consoled his young disciple with the encouraging words: "Yes, one should observe a Sadhu by day as well as at night before one accepts him as a guide." With these words Sri Ramakrishna came to his room, followed mutely by Jogin. Despite the sweet words from Sri Ramakrishna, he had no sleep throughout the rest of the night, and later throughout his whole life he did not forgive himself for what he considered to be an extremely sinful act. There are many incidents as to how Jogin, with all his devotion to Sri Ramakrishna, kept his critical faculty alert and did not fail to judge even his Guru.

Teachings of Swami Shivananda

Place: Belur Math. Time: May 4, 1929. A woman devotee: "Maharaj, so you cooked for the Master as well?" Mahapurushji: "Yes, my daughter. The Master, being very ill then, was staying at Cossipore for treatment. We all lived there with Swamiji, and served him (the Master) all the twenty-four hours by turns. We all had our food there, for which Suresh Babu made the necessary arrangement. There was also a cook. Once, when he (the cook) fell ill, we ourselves cooked by turns. The food was very simple, rice, pulse, vegetable soup, and so on. Our mind was then in such a state that we did not give much thought to food, and we were satisfied with what came to hand easily. On the one hand, the Master was seriously ill, and on the other, our own minds were afire with spiritual yearning." 20 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: August 9, 1929.

Swami Y… was to leave for Madras today. So, when he saluted Mahapurushji in the morning, the latter said: "So Y. is leaving today. He has been in this monastery, this place of the Master, for many days this time. Well, I bid you goodbye now. You are devoted to the Master; he will be with you wherever you go. He lives among his devotees wherever they may be."

At another time, in the course of a serious discussion with a Swami about the Math and Mission, Mahapurushji remarked: "Truth alone triumphs and not untruth. Truth has always been victorious, my son, and it always will be. This is all divine play. After leaving the gross body, the Master now lives in this sangha (this Order of monks). This is what Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) said. That you and all the devotees of the Master have gathered here from far-off centres will certainly bear some auspicious result. The Master is still protecting this sangha; and by creating a little stir now and then, he lets us know that he will protect it in future also. It was at the behest of the Master himself that Swamiji established this sangha; and he placed on it the onerous duty of spreading the Master's universal religious ideas throughout the world. Rest assured that nobody will be able to harm this organization. Even if somebody comes with hostile ideas, the Master will change his mind. He will make all understand the true spirit, maybe even through opposing circumstances. Men with their limited intellects are naturally liable to commit errors; but he is merciful to all. Sinner or sufferer, nobody is outside the pale of his grace. Has not Swamiji declared, 'the current of whose love flows uninterruptedly down to the lowest pariah'? He forgives all. It is to save all, down to the pariah, that he came down as Sri Ramakrishna. You must have read about Jesus Christ. For the very people who crucified him, he prayed to the Father in heaven: 'Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'"

21 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: August 9, 1929.

Mahapurushji: "That supreme Brahman Itself has now come down as Sri Ramakrishna. We have seen with our own eyes how infinite was his forgiveness, how wonderful was his mercy."

20 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: August 9, 1929. Swami Y… was to leave for Madras today. So, when he saluted Mahapurushji in the morning, the latter said: “So Y. is leaving today. He has been in this monastery, this place of the Master, for many days this time. Well, I bid you goodbye now. You are devoted to the Master; he will be with you wherever you go. He lives among his devotees wherever they may be.”

At another time, in the course of a serious discussion with a Swami about the Math and Mission, Mahapurushji remarked: “Truth alone triumphs and not untruth. Truth has always been victorious, my son, and it always will be. This is all divine play. After leaving the gross body, the Master now lives in this sangha (this Order of monks). This is what Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) said. That you and all the devotees of the Master have gathered here from far-off centres will certainly bear some auspicious result. The Master is still protecting this sangha; and by creating a little stir now and then, he lets us know that he will protect it in future also. It was at the behest of the Master himself that Swamiji established this sangha; and he placed on it the onerous duty of spreading the Master’s universal religious ideas throughout the world. Rest assured that nobody will be able to harm this organization. Even if somebody comes with hostile ideas, the Master will change his mind. He will make all understand the true spirit, maybe even through opposing circumstances. Men with their limited intellects are naturally liable to commit errors; but he is merciful to all. Sinner or sufferer, nobody is outside the pale of his grace. Has not Swamiji declared, ‘the current of whose love flows uninterruptedly down to the lowest pariah’? He forgives all. It is to save all, down to the pariah, that he came down as Sri Ramakrishna. You must have read about Jesus Christ. For the very people who crucified him, he prayed to the Father in heaven: ‘Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”

21 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: August 9, 1929. Mahapurushji: “That supreme Brahman Itself has now come down as Sri Ramakrishna. We have seen with our own eyes how infinite was his forgiveness, how wonderful was his mercy. As for the Holy Mother, there can be no comparison with her, she is none other than the Mother of the universe. I have even heard it related that, when someone came and reported to her that somebody had committed the most unmentionable and damnable crime, the Mother heard the whole report very gravely. Then the reporter requested the Mother: ‘If you summon him and take him to task a little, it will be good.’ To this, she replied: ‘My son, it is all very well for you to talk like that, but I am his mother. To you he may be an offender and so, detestable, but to his mother he is not so. Being his mother, can I hate my son?’ So wonderful was her forgiveness! All these things have happened before our eyes. That is what we too have learnt. We have to learn all these from the lives of the Master, the Holy Mother, and Swamiji.”

As he spoke these words, his voice became choked, and he stopped suddenly. After some time, he sang:

Sing the glory of the Lord of the Universe, the One adorable to all;

The one Deity who protects the three worlds, the ocean of love, the beautiful, the leader of all life;

The charmer of the minds of His servants, the bestower of good, the giver of learning, wealth, and intelligence.

The devotee begs of Him with folded hands: “Do please fill my thirsting heart with love.”

22 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: November 1, 1929.

The worship of Mother Kali was performed with great eclat at the Math last night. The whole Math was astir with worship, reading of scriptures, music, etc. After the worship, the saptashati homa also was performed in the same sacrificial fire.

Mahapurushji was full of joy throughout the night; and quite often he sent his attendants to the place of worship to get full reports of the progress made. When the worshippers started singing the praise of Kali, he, too, joined his voice to theirs.

When they sang, 'Who indeed cares for (all the places of pilgrimage like) Gaya, Ganga, Prabhasa, etc., if one's last breath is drawn in the name of Kali' etc., he remarked, `Ah! The Master sang this song quite often.' Then he himself sang the whole of it along with the chorus singers.

In the morning, he was seated in his own room. The sannyasins and brahmacharins came there one by one to pay their respects to him. He was still full of the joy of the previous night's worship. That joy expressed itself through his every word and act.

A little later the Divine Mother's prasada was brought in for him; at this he was exceedingly happy. But he remarked with some merriment: 'I can take nothing of this. The mere sight must be enough for me! ' With this he just touched each thing with the tip of his finger, and then, tasting it thus, he said: 'Fine, the offering to the Mother has been well made.' When the attendant was removing the dish, he said: 'Mind you, keep something for the dogs, for nobody will remember them. They too expect something. It will give them great joy.' And he started calling his dog, `Kelo, Kelo.'

When the talk turned to the last night's worship, he said: `Ah! The whole Math is still full of the smell of the ghee offered in the sacrificial fire. The smell of a sacrifice sanctifies wherever it goes. How sweet a smell it is!'

23 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: November 1, 1929.

In connection with the worship, a monk said: "Maharaj, it was a great joy last night. We did not experience such joy for quite a long time. The chorus songs also were excellent. They lasted till three o'clock in the morning."

Mahapurushji: "Why should it not be so? For it was the Divine Mother's worship, to be sure. She, out of Her grace, vouchsafed happiness to all. She Herself was personally present to accept the worship. She is no ordinary mother; She is the Mother worshipped by the Master. The Master himself worshipped Mother Kali. The Master called 'Mother' that very Being which the Vedas declare as 'Truth, Knowledge, Infinite Brahman', which the dualists call God, the Shaktas call Shakti, the Vaishnavas call Vishnu, and the Shaivas call Shiva. As a result of the worship of that Mother Herself, the Master was blessed with all kinds of realization. He attained perfection in all the modes of divine communion, dualistic, qualified non-dualistic, non-dualistic, and so on.

"The worship performed here has no parallel; here the worship is done by the monks and devotees through their devotion. Those who have wealth can perform their worship with great pomp by spending thousands of rupees; but such devotional worship as here, you will not find elsewhere. Here it was performed with heart and soul by pure-minded sannyasins and brahmacharins. How intense was their sincerity and how deep their devotion! Mother is much pleased thereby. Most people worship Her with some ulterior motive."

Jai Ramakrishna

24 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: November 1, 1929. It was now about ten o'clock in the morning. A woman devotee came; she was an initiated disciple of Mahapurushji. She bowed down at his feet and enquired about his health. In answer, he said: "No, my daughter, my health is not good; in fact, it is very bad. It is becoming worse with the passage of time; for, after all, the body has its own law to follow, and this body has grown pretty old. Now it will gradually get destroyed."

With tearful eyes, the devotee said: "Father, to whom shall we go if you leave us? Where else shall we go to un-burden the sorrows of our hearts?"

Mahapurushji: "Why, my child? There is the Master, to be sure. He is residing in your very heart. He is your inmost Self, as also the inmost Self of all. Take refuge in him, pray to him. He will fill your heart with peace; he will remove all your wants. The body has to die one day or another; not a single body is immortal. It is as sure as anything that this body made of the different elements will again disintegrate into them. Hence take refuge in the Lord who is the eternal Truth, the everlasting, unchanging, conscious Self of every being. Hold on to Him. Then you will have no fear in the shoreless sea of this world; you will easily cross it."

The devotee: "Father, you are my guru; you have showered your grace on me. We are assailed with various kinds of doubt, questions, and despondency. To whom can we go to get these removed? Here, while I am at your feet, I feel so much peace in my heart, so much joy. But when I think what will be my lot when you leave us, my heart begins to cry helplessly."

Mahapurushji: "Look here, my daughter, I have told you all there is to tell. God is the only guru; He is the teacher of the whole world. It was God Himself in His fullness that incarnated in human body as Sri Ramakrishna to save His own creatures. He brought us along with him. He lived in a human body for fifty years, bestowed his grace on innumerable persons in several ways, and left a transcendental ideal of life behind for all to follow. The quintessence of the instruction imparted by him through his life, the only thing he revealed in his whole life, is that the world is false and ephemeral, and that God alone is true and eternal. Now he is doing good to the world through a fine body and in an invisible way. He reveals himself even today to those devotees who call on him earnestly, and he blesses them in a thousand ways. It is he who has kept us in these physical bodies. When these bodies die, we too shall get united with God in our fine bodies, and shall live in union. We have to take the responsibility here and hereafter of all those whom we have accepted as our own. If the devotees pray with pure hearts and earnestness, they will get the visions of us as well, in a more clear and vivid way than you see today. So, my daughter, from now on, try to have this vision inside."

24 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: November 1, 1929.

It was now about ten o'clock in the morning. A woman devotee came; she was an initiated disciple of Mahapurushji. She bowed down at his feet and enquired about his health. In answer, he said: `No, my daughter, my health is not good; in fact, it is very bad. It is becoming worse with the passage of time; for, after all, the body has its own law to follow, and this body has grown pretty old. Now it will gradually get destroyed.'

With tearful eyes, the devotee said: `Father, to whom shall we go if you leave us? Where else shall we go to un-burden the sorrows of our hearts?'

Mahapurushji: `Why, my child? There is the Master, to be sure. He is residing in your very heart. He is your inmost Self, as also the inmost Self of all. Take refuge in him, pray to him. He will fill your heart with peace; he will remove all your wants. The body has to die one day or another; not a single body is immortal. It is as sure as anything that this body made of the different elements will again disintegrate into them. Hence take refuge in the Lord who is the eternal Truth, the everlasting, unchanging, conscious Self of every being.

Hold on to Him. Then you will have no fear in the shoreless sea of this world; you will easily cross it.'

The devotee: 'Father, you are my guru; you have showered your grace on me. We are assailed with various kinds of doubt, questions, and despondency. To whom can we go to get these removed? Here, while I am at your feet, I feel so much peace in my heart, so much joy. But when I think what will be my lot when you leave us, my heart begins to cry helplessly.'

Mahapurushji: 'Look here, my daughter, I have told you all there is to tell. God is the only guru; He is the teacher of the whole world. It was God Himself in His fullness that incarnated in human body as Sri Ramakrishna to save His own creatures. He brought us along with him. He lived in a human body for fifty years, bestowed his grace on innumerable persons in several ways, and left a transcendental ideal of life behind for all to follow.

'The quintessence of the instruction imparted by him through his life, the only thing he revealed in his, whole life, is that the world is false and ephemeral, and that God alone is true and eternal. Now he is doing good to the world through a fine body and in an invisible way. He reveals himself even today to those devotees who call on him earnestly, and he blesses them in a thousand ways. It is he who has kept us in these physical bodies. When these bodies die, we too shall get united with God in our fine bodies, and shall live in union. We have to take the responsibility here and hereafter of all those whom we have accepted as our own. If the devotees pray with pure hearts and earnestness, they will get the visions of us as well, in a wore clear and vivid way than you see today. So, my daughter, from now on, try to have this vision inside. How long, after all, can these external meetings last?'

The devotee: 'Bless me accordingly, father, that I may see you inside and outside, everywhere.'

Mahapurushji: 'That you will do; if you pray earnestly and with tears in your eyes, you will get such a vision. But you cannot have this unless there is the deepest yearning.'

25 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: November 1, 1929.

The devotee: “Father, I have a question to ask. The scriptures declare that one cannot realize God unless one observes strict brahmacharya. The mind does not become pure unless there is brahmacharya. Now, please tell me how I can observe this. Should I be very strict about food and such other things?”

Mahapurushji: “No, my daughter, you need not be very strict about these matters. Only use your discrimination a little more when following the usual routine. You may well avoid those things that excite the nerves too much. Food is not meant for the mere gratification of the sense of taste; it is meant for the maintenance of the body. And the maintenance of the body is meant for God-realization. It is better to avoid those kinds of food that create mental disturbance and prevent the mind from concentrating on God. Brahmacharya does not mean the mere control of food. The real brahmacharya is the control of all the sense-organs. Unless one can do that, the realization of divine bliss is a far cry. Is it possible to get the bliss of Brahman unless one can forsake the pleasures of this trifling body? You are in the householder’s stage of life. The Master has made the path of God-realization easy for householders. He used to say that after the birth of two or three children, a virtuous couple should live like brother and sister; they should forget their physical relationship, and talk about God, as though they were both servants of God. Realization of God alone is the goal of life.

Life is not meant for the pleasure of the body. Realization of God alone is the goal of life. Now that you have attained this rare human birth, do not allow your life to be spent in vain. Realize the nature of the Self. The Master is your inmost Self; try to realize him. He is not just a man three and a half cubits in length; he is God Himself; he is the very Self of all creatures. Once you can realize him, your worldly bondage will be cut asunder for ever; you will not have to undergo the round of birth and death any more.”

26 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: November 1, 1929. Mahapurushji: The Gita says: “That is My supreme abode, going whither they return not.” Realize that supreme Being; and then you will be free from this delusion of birth and death, my child. Then only will you attain the highest state. It is only by realizing Him that one gets rid of all passions and desires, attains fullness, and becomes the Self Itself. “Having obtained which, a man regards no other acquisition as superior to that.”

The devotee: “How shall I be able to realize Him?”

Mahapurushji: The Master used to say God can be realized when all the three types of longing become united in one: the longing of a chaste wife for her husband, the affection of the mother for her child, and the attachment of a miser to his wealth. If one can combine all these three kinds of longing into one and direct it to God, then God can be realized. Call on Him, repeat His name, meditate on Him, and pray to Him with the sincerest earnestness. Say, “Lord, kindly reveal Yourself to me, reveal Yourself to me”, and weep, weep, weep disconsolately. Then only He will be moved, and grant you the vision of Himself. For He is very mindful of those who take refuge in Him. He never forsakes one to whom He has once granted refuge.

27 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: December 7, 1929. Mahapurushji: This is a difficult path, my son. This pursuit of the knowledge of Brahman is very difficult. Not every brain can comprehend this, for it is subtler than the subtlest. It is easier to master secular knowledge. It is comparatively easier to become a great philosopher, a noted scientist, a great poet, a famous artist, or a well-known politician; but it is extremely difficult to acquire the knowledge of Brahman. That is why the Upaniṣadic seer sings: “The wise ones describe that path to be as impassable as a sharpened razor’s edge is difficult to tread on.”

Those who do not tread on this path cannot even guess how difficult it is. In the Upanishads, this knowledge “by which is realized that immutable Brahman” is called higher knowledge, while all other secular knowledge is called lower knowledge. One must practise absolute continence if one desires to have this higher knowledge. As a result of prolonged continence, practised heart and soul in all the planes of existence, the body and mind become fit for leading a divine life. For reaching the state of Brahmanhood, the brain develops a new nerve, and all the cells in the body become transformed. One must observe absolute continence.

The Master used to say that one hesitates to pour milk in a vessel that has contained curds, lest the milk should get spoiled. That is why he loved pure-minded boys so much; for it is they who can imbibe spirituality fully. These are all very subtle matters. Of course, above all, one must have the grace of God. Unless the Divine Mother is gracious, there is no hope of all this. It is only when She opens the door to Knowledge of Brahman out of Her compassion that the aspirant becomes able to attain it, and not otherwise. In the Chandi, we have: “This very graceful Mother becomes the cause of the liberation of men, when She is favourably disposed.” It is She who grants the boon of freedom, when She is pleased with men.

28 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: December 8, 1929.

In the morning, the sannyasins and brahmacharins had gathered in Mahapurushji's room. The talk turned to spiritual practice.

Mahapurushji: 'Self-control will come as a matter of course if one repeats God's name constantly, and is earnest in spiritual endeavours. The name of God has such intrinsic power that all the internal and external organs become naturally subdued by it. But then, one has to call on Him with sincere love.

If one can somehow acquire love for God, one has nothing more to worry about; one can then advance towards Him very quickly. If one somehow acquires the feeling that God is one's own, one can set one's mind completely at rest. One cannot, however, have real love for God so long as one's mind is preoccupied with sensuous things.

When the kundalini is awakened as a result of intense spiritual practice and prayer to God, and when the mind gradually rises above the three lower planes and continues to remain in the fourth plane, the aspirant gets visions etc., of God, and he gradually develops a love for Him.'

'Jai Ramakrishna 29/03/2025'

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: December 8, 1929.

Mahapurushji: “It is good to have a fixed seat for one’s meditation and japa, for that creates an atmosphere and helps the mind to become concentrated quickly. And whenever you meet a woman, salute her mentally as your mother, with all respect. That was the special instruction of the Master to us, and he himself did so all his life. A sannyasin’s life is, as it were, a devotional fast, when even a drop of water is not taken. There must not be a single blemish; the whole life must be absolutely pure. Do not allow your mind to be polluted even by the slightest touch of lust and lucre. You will have to keep yourself always occupied with high thoughts, contemplation of God, bhajan, study of scriptures, prayer, etc. Yours is a spiritual life, a divine life. The Master used to say: ‘The bee sits on the flower alone, and it sucks the honey alone.’ A true sannyasin’s life must be like that of a bee. He will enjoy divine bliss alone, and he will not allow his mind to wander about elsewhere.

“It is for the fulfilment of the message of the avatara of this age that you have taken refuge in this Order. The whole world is athirst and is looking to you to receive the message of the Master. As for ourselves, our earthly lives are all but ended. Now it is your turn to fill our places. Just think of this—what a great responsibility rests on your shoulders! He alone is the source of all power; he will transmit the power to you as the need arises; and he will make you fit vehicles for spreading his message and his ideas. The more you can have him established in your heart, the more will you understand that it is he who sits in your inmost heart and guides you from behind, for he is none other than God Himself. He has taken you under his care; he will grant you illumination, devotion, love, purity, and all else, to make your lives blessed.”

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: December 8, 1929.

Referring to the avatara-hood of Sri Ramakrishna and his descent on earth for alleviating human suffering, a monk asked him: “Maharaj, does an incarnation retain the fullest consciousness of his divinity all the time?”

Mahapurushji: “Well, he does, to be sure. Look at Sri Krishna’s life, for instance. From his very birth onward, he gave proofs of his divinity. But it is true that the outer expression of that divinity is not the same in all the incarnations, though they themselves have the fullest consciousness of their Godhood. It is only for the spiritual good of the world that their power is manifested. All that they do is out of mercy, for an avatara is not born as the result of karma.”

Jai Ramakrishna 31 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: December 8, 1929. Mahapurushji: As long as the avataras remain in their human bodies in this world, all their behaviour appears to conform to human norms; they are happy at things that make others happy, and unhappy at those that make men unhappy. So much so, one comes to think that they do not retain their divine consciousness fully. Really, however, this is not so. Especially in the case of the Master, one comes across very little of the manifestation of divine glory; his life expressed itself mostly on the human plane. His was a descent with the purest sattvika qualities (of enlightenment, saintliness, kindness, etc.). That is why he said, "It is as though the king is on an inspection of his kingdom under disguise."

It is extremely difficult to understand this mood of the Master. For instance, look how bitterly he wept at the death of Keshab Chandra Sen! "At Keshab's departure," he lamented, "I think one of my limbs has dropped off. Whom shall I talk to when I visit Calcutta hereafter?" and so on. It was just like one sorrowing for the death of a near relative. This is what they call ‘LILA’ (mystic play); it is very difficult to comprehend this.

The Adhyatma Ramayana relates a fine incident in which one finds a beautiful harmony between knowledge and devotion. Ramachandra was none other than the supreme Brahman, who knew the past, present, and future. He had incarnated himself for the sake of destroying Ravana, with all his rakshasas, and to re-establish the reign of virtue. He knew well enough that Ravana would carry off his wife Sita. The Adhyatma Ramayana itself states how, even before Ravana in the guise of a mendicant came to carry her away, Ramachandra had told Sita: "Ravana will come as a mendicant to abduct you; so you just place here a shadow-form of yours and then vanish into fire, where you should stay for a whole year. You will join me again after Ravana is killed." Saying this, he made Sita enter into fire.

29 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math.

Time: December 8, 1929.

Mahapurushji: "It is good to have a fixed seat for one's meditation and japa, for that creates an atmosphere and helps the mind to become concentrated quickly. And whenever you meet a woman, salute her mentally as your mother, with all respect. That was the special instruction of the Master to us, and he himself did so all his life. A sannyasin's life is, as it were, a devotional fast, when even a drop of water is not taken. There must not be a single blemish; the whole life must be absolutely pure. Do not allow your mind to be polluted even by the slightest touch of lust and lucre. You will have to keep yourself always occupied with high thoughts, contemplation of God, bhajan, study of scriptures, prayer, etc. Yours is a spiritual life, a divine life. The Master used to say: 'The bee sits on the flower alone, and it sucks the honey alone.' A true sannyasin's life must be like that of a bee. He will enjoy divine bliss alone, and he will not allow his mind to wander about elsewhere. It is for the fulfilment of the message of the avatara of this age that you have taken refuge in this Order. The whole world is athirst and is looking to you to receive the message of the Master. As for ourselves, our earthly lives are all but ended. Now it is your turn to fill our places. Just think of this: what a great responsibility rests on your shoulders! He alone is the source of all power; he will transmit the power to you as the need arises; and he will make you fit vehicles for spreading his message and his ideas. The more you can have him established in your heart, the more will you understand that it is he who sits in your inmost heart and guides you from behind, for he is none other than God Himself. He has taken you under his care; he will grant you illumination, devotion, love, purity, and all else, to make your lives blessed."

30 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: December 8, 1929.

Referring to the avatara-hood of Sri Ramakrishna and his descent on earth for alleviating human suffering, a monk asked him: "Maharaj, does an incarnation retain the fullest consciousness of his divinity all the time?"

Mahapurushji: "Well, he does, to be sure. Look at Sri Krishna's life, for instance. From his very birth onward, he gave proofs of his divinity. But it is true that the outer expression of that divinity is not the same in all the incarnations, though they themselves have the fullest consciousness of their Godhood. It is only for the spiritual good of the world that their power is manifested. All that they do is out of mercy, for an avatara is not born as the result of karma. And how can he have any ignorance? It is the eternal Brahman in His fullness, the Lord of Maya, who descends with the help of Maya; and He returns to His own real state after the need of the age is fulfilled. All the spiritual practice that the avatara undertakes, all the hard austerities he undergoes, are merely to set an example to others, to hold an ideal before men. For he is God, he is infinity itself. Where can he have any finitude?

In the Gita, Sri Krishna says: 'O Arjuna, I have no duty in all the three worlds; there is nothing unattained or attainable for Me. And yet, I keep Myself engaged in work.' There is nothing that is not already achieved by him, for he is infinite. Yet he engages in work for the education of mankind. He adds further: 'No duty can bind me; nor have I any hankering for the result of any work. He who knows me as such never comes under the bondage of work.'

He has no craving for the result of his own work, and work also cannot bind him. If this be not so, where else would you seek for his divinity or avatara-hood? As long as the avataras remain in their human bodies in this world, all their behaviour appears to conform to human norms; they are happy at things that make others happy, and unhappy at those that make men unhappy. So much so, one comes to think that they do not retain their divine consciousness fully."

31 March 2025

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Math. Time: December 8, 1929.

Mahapurushji: "As long as the avataras remain in their human bodies in this world, all their behaviour appears to conform to human norms; they are happy at things that make others happy, and unhappy at those that make men unhappy. So much so, one comes to think that they do not retain their divine consciousness fully.

Really, however, this is not so. Especially in the case of the Master, one comes across very little of the manifestation of divine glory; his life expressed itself mostly on the human plane. His was a descent with the purest sattvika qualities (of enlightenment, saintliness, kindness, etc.). That is why he said, 'It is as though the king is on an inspection of his kingdom under disguise.'

It is extremely difficult to understand this mood of the Master. For instance, look how bitterly he wept at the death of Keshab Chandra Sen! 'At Keshab's departure,' he lamented, 'I think one of my limbs has dropped off. Whom shall I talk to when I visit Calcutta hereafter?' and so on. It was just like one sorrowing for the death of a near relative."

Jai Ramakrishna Swami Dayatmananda: 1 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Pambo questioned Abbot Anthony saying: What ought I to do? And the elder replied: Have no confidence in your own virtuousness. Do not worry about a thing once it has been done. Control your tongue and your belly.

Abbot Joseph of Thebes said: There are three kinds of men who find honour in the sight of God: First, those who, when they are ill and tempted, accept all these things with thanksgiving. The second, those who do all their works clean in the sight of God, in no way merely seeking to please men. The third, those who sit in subjection to the command of a spiritual father and renounce all their own desires.

A brother asked one of the elders: What good thing shall I do, and have life thereby? The old man replied: God alone knows what is good. However, I have heard it said that someone inquired of Father Abbot Nisteros the great, the friend of Abbot Anthony, asking: What good work shall I do? And that he replied: Not all works are alike. For Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable and God was with him. Elias loved solitary prayer, and God was with him. And David was humble, and God was with him. Therefore, whatever you see your soul to desire according to God, do that thing, and you shall keep your heart safe.

One of the elders said: Poverty, tribulation, and discretion: these are the three works of the hermit life. For it is written: If we but had with us these three men: Noe, Job and Daniel (see Ezechiel 14). Now Noe represents those who possess nothing. Job represents those who suffer tribulation. Daniel, those who discern good from evil. If these three actions are found in a man, then God dwells in him.

Swami Dayatmananda: 2 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Pastor said: There are two things which a monk ought to hate above all, for by hating them he can become free in this world. And a brother asked: What are these things? The elder replied: An easy life and vain glory.

They said of Abbot Pambo that in the very hour when he departed this life he said to the holy men who stood by him: From the time I came to this place in the desert, and built me a cell, and dwelt here, I do not remember eating bread that was not earned by the work of my own hands; nor do I remember saying anything for which I was sorry even until this hour. And thus, I go to the Lord as one who has not even made a beginning in the service of God.

A brother asked one of the elders: How does fear of the Lord get into a man? And the elder said: If a man have humility and poverty, and judge not another, that is how fear of the Lord gets into him.

1 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Pambo questioned Abbot Anthony, saying: “What ought I to do?” And the elder replied: “Have no confidence in your own virtuousness. Do not worry about a thing once it has been done. Control your tongue and your belly.”

Abbot Joseph of Thebes said: “There are three kinds of men who find honour in the sight of God: First, those who, when they are ill and tempted, accept all these things with thanksgiving. The second, those who do all their works clean in the sight of God, in no way merely seeking to please men. The third, those who sit in subjection to the command of a spiritual father and renounce all their own desires.”

A brother asked one of the elders: “What good thing shall I do, and have life thereby?” The old man replied: “God alone knows what is good. However, I have heard it said that someone inquired of Father Abbot Nisteros the great, the friend of Abbot Anthony, asking: ‘What good work shall I do?’ And that he replied: ‘Not all works are alike. For Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable and God was with him. Elias loved solitary prayer, and God was with him. And David was humble, and God was with him. Therefore, whatever you see your soul to desire according to God, do that thing, and you shall keep your heart safe.’”

One of the elders said: “Poverty, tribulation, and discretion: these are the three works of the hermit life. For it is written: ‘If we but had with us these three men: Noe, Job and Daniel’ (see Ezechiel 14). Now Noe represents those who possess nothing. Job represents those who suffer tribulation. Daniel, those who discern good from evil. If these three actions are found in a man, then God dwells in him.”

2 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

ABBOT PASTOR said: There are two things which a monk ought to hate above all, for by hating them he can become free in this world.

And a brother asked: What are these things?

The elder replied: An easy life and vain glory.

THEY said of Abbot Pambo that in the very hour when he departed this life he said to the holy men who stood by him: From the time I came to this place in the desert, and built me a cell, and dwelt here, I do not remember eating bread that was not earned by the work of my own hands; nor do I remember saying anything for which I was sorry even until this hour.

And thus, I go to the Lord as one who has not even made a beginning in the service of God.

A BROTHER asked one of the elders: How does fear of the Lord get into a man?

And the elder said: If a man have humility and poverty, and judge not another, that is how fear of the Lord gets into him.

ONCE some brethren went out of the monastery to visit the hermits who lived in the desert. They came to one who received them with joy and seeing that they were tired, invited them to eat before the accustomed time and placed before them all the food he had available.

But that night when they were all supposed to be sleeping the hermit heard the cenobites talking among themselves and saying: These hermits eat more than we do in the monastery.

Now at dawn the guests set out to see another hermit, and as they were starting out their host said, Greet him from me, and give him this message: Be careful not to water the vegetables.

When they reached the other hermitage, they delivered this message.

And the second hermit understood what was meant by the words.

So, he made the visitors sit down and weave baskets and sitting with them he worked without interruption. And in the evening when the time came for lighting the lamp, he added a few extra psalms to the usual number, after which he said to them: We do not usually eat every day out here, but because you have come along it is fitting to have a little supper today, for a change. Then he gave them some dry bread and salt, then added: Here's a special treat for you. Upon which he mixed them a little sauce of vinegar, salt and oil, and gave it to them.

After supper they got up again and started in on the psalms and kept on praying almost until dawn, at which the hermit said: Well, we can't finish all our usual prayers, for you are tired from your journey. You had better take a little rest.

And so, when the first hour of the day came, they all wanted to leave this hermit, but he would not let them go.

He kept saying: Stay with me a while. I cannot let you go so soon; charity demands that I keep you for two or three days. But they, hearing this, waited until dark and then under cover of night they made off.

3 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

An elder said: Here is the monk's life-work: obedience, meditation, not judging others, not reviling, not complaining. For it is written: you who love the Lord, hate evil. So, this is the monk's life: not to walk in agreement with an unjust man, nor to look with his eyes upon evil, nor to go about being curious, and neither to examine nor to listen to the business of others; not to take anything with his hands, but rather to give to others; not to be proud in his heart, nor to malign others in his thoughts; not to fill his stomach, but in all things to behave with discretion. Behold, in all this you have the true monk.

An elder said: Cut off from yourself rash confidence, and control your tongue and your belly, and abstain from wine. And if anyone speak to you about any matter, do not argue with him. But if he speaks rightly, say: "Yes." If he speaks wrongly, say to him: "You know what you are saying." But do not argue with him about the things he has said. Thus, your mind will be at peace.

Abbot Anthony said: Just as fish die if they remain on dry land, so monks, remaining away from their cells or dwelling with men of the world, lose their determination to persevere in solitary prayer. Therefore, just as the fish should go back to the sea, so we must return to our cells, lest remaining outside we forget to watch over ourselves interiorly.

4 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Arsenius, when he was still in the King's palace, prayed to the Lord saying: "Lord, lead me to salvation." And a voice came to him saying: "Arsenius, fly from men and you shall be saved." Again, embracing the monastic life, he prayed in the same words. And he heard a voice saying to him: "Arsenius, fly, be silent, rest in prayer: these are the roots of the love of God."

A certain brother went to Abbot Moses in Scete and asked him for a good word. And the elder said to him: "Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything."

It was said of Abbot Agatho that for three years he carried a stone in his mouth until he learned to be silent.

One of the brethren questioned Abbot Isidore, the elder of Scete, saying: "Why is it that the demons are so grievously afraid of you?" The elder replied: "From the moment I became a monk, I have striven to prevent anger rising to my lips."

5 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Anastasius had a book written on very fine parchment which was worth eighteen pence and had in it both the Old and New Testaments in full. Once a certain brother came to visit him, and seeing the book made off with it. So that day when Abbot Anastasius went to read his book, and found that it was gone, he realized that the brother had taken it. But he did not send after him to inquire about it for fear that the brother might add perjury to theft. Well, the brother went down into the nearby city in order to sell the book. And the price he asked was sixteen pence. The buyer said: “Give me the book that I may find out whether it is worth that much.” With that, the buyer took the book to the holy Anastasius and said: “Father, take a look at this book, please, and tell me whether you think I ought to buy it for sixteen pence. Is it worth that much?”

Abbot Anastasius said: “Yes, it is a fine book, it is worth that much.” So, the buyer went back to the brother and said: “Here is your money. I showed the book to Abbot Anastasius and he said it is a fine book and is worth at least sixteen pence.” But the brother asked: “Was that all he said? Did he make any other remarks?”

“No,” said the buyer, “he did not say another word.” “Well,” said the brother, “I have changed my mind and I don't want to sell this book after all.” Then he hastened to Abbot Anastasius and begged him with tears to take back his book, but the Abbot would not accept it, saying: “Go in peace, brother, I make you a present of it.” But the brother said: “If you do not take it back, I shall never have any peace.” After that the brother dwelt with Abbot Anastasius for the rest of his life.

6 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Macarius said: “If, wishing to correct another, you are moved to anger, you gratify your own passion. Do not lose yourself in order to save another.”

Abbot Hyperichius said: “It is better to eat meat and drink wine, than by detraction to devour the flesh of your brother.”

Once in Scete a bottle of wine from the new vintage was brought in, so that the brethren might have some, each in his goblet. One of the brethren came in and seeing that they had received wine, he ran and hid in the cellar. But the cellar caved in. When they had heard the noise, they ran and found the brother lying half dead, and they began to rebuke him, saying: “It serves you right, because of your vanity.” But the Abbot, giving him every care, said: “Forgive my son, for he has done well. And as the Lord lives, this cellar shall not be built again in my time, so that the world may know that for the sake of a glass of wine a cellar collapsed in Scete.”

A monk ran into a party of handmaids of the Lord on a certain journey. Seeing them he left the road and gave them a wide berth. But the Abbess said to him: “If you were a perfect monk, you would not even have looked close enough to see that we were women.”

A certain brother, renouncing the world, and giving the things he owned to the poor, kept a few things in his own possession. He came to Abbot Anthony. When the elder heard about all this, he said to him: “If you want to be a monk, go to that village and buy meat, and place it on your naked body and so return here.” And when the brother had done as he was told, dogs and birds of prey tore at his body. When he returned to the elder, the latter asked if he had done as he was told. The brother showed him his lacerated body.

7 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)*

Abbot Theodore of Pherme had three good books. And when he had come to Abbot Macarius he said to him: “I have three books, and I profit by reading them. Also, the brethren ask to borrow them, and they profit also. Now tell me, what ought I to do?”

And the elder replied, saying: “Those things that you do are good, but better than all else is to possess nothing.” When he had heard this, he went off and sold the abovementioned books and gave their price to the poor.

Abbot Ammonas said that he had spent fourteen years in Scete praying to God day and night to be delivered from anger.

Abbot Pastor said: “The virtue of a monk is made manifest by temptations.”

An elder said: “The reason why we do not get anywhere is that we do not know our limits, and we are not patient in carrying on the work we have begun. But without any labour at all we want to gain possession of virtue.”

An elder said: “Just as a tree cannot bear fruit if it is often transplanted, so neither can a monk bear fruit if he frequently changes his abode.”

A certain brother came, once, to Abbot Theodore of Pherme, and spent three days begging him to let him hear a word. The Abbot however did not answer him, and he went off sad. So, a disciple said to Abbot Theodore: “Father, why did you not speak to him? Now he has gone off sad!”

The elder replied: “Believe me, I spoke no word to him because he is a trader in words and seeks to glory in the words of another.”

8 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Another brother asked Abbot Theodore and began to question him and to inquire about things which he had never yet put into practice himself. The elder said to him: “As yet you have not found a ship, and you have not put your baggage aboard, and you have not started to cross the sea: can you talk as if you had already arrived in that city to which you planned to go? When you have put into practice the thing you are talking about, then speak from knowledge of the thing itself!”

Once a certain provincial judge heard of Abbot Moses and went off to Scete to see him. Someone told the elder that the visitor was coming and he rose up to run into the marshes. But on the way he ran into the judge with his companions. The judge asked him, saying: “Tell us, elder, where is the cell of Abbot Moses?”

The elder replied: “What do you want with him? The man is a fool and a heretic!”

The judge went on and came to the church of Scete and said to the clerics: “I heard about this Abbot Moses and came out here to meet him. And an old man heading for Egypt ran into us, and we asked him where was the cell of Abbot Moses, and he said to us: ‘What do you want with him? The man is a fool and a heretic!’”

But the clerics, hearing this, were saddened and said: “What kind of old man was this, who said such things to you about the holy man?”

They replied: “He was a very old elder with a long black robe.” Then the clerics said: “Why, that was Abbot Moses himself. And because he did not want to be seen by you, therefore he said those things about himself.” Greatly edified, the judge returned home.

'Jai Ramakrishna 09/04/2025'

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Poemen said: Unless Nabuzardan the prince of the cooks had come to Jerusalem, the temple of the Lord would not have been burnt with fire. So too, unless the desire of gluttony had come into the soul, the mind of man would not have been enkindled by the temptations of the devil.

A certain brother came to Abbot Silvanus at Mount Sinai, and seeing the hermits at work he exclaimed: Why do you work for the bread that perisheth? Mary has chosen the best part, namely, to sit at the feet of the Lord without working. Then the Abbot said to his disciple Zachary: Give the brother a book and let him read and put him in an empty cell. At the ninth hour the brother who was reading began to look out to see if the Abbot was not going to call him to dinner, and sometime after the ninth hour he went himself to the Abbot and said: Did the brethren not eat today, Father? Oh yes, certainly, said the Abbot, they just had dinner. Well, said the brother, why did you not call me? You are a spiritual man, said the elder, you don't need this food that perisheth. We have to work, but you have chosen the best part. You read all day and can get along without food. Hearing this the brother said: Forgive me, Father. And the elder said: Martha is necessary to Mary, for it was because Martha worked that Mary was able to be praised.

One of the monks, called Serapion, sold his book of the Gospels and gave the money to those who were hungry, saying: I have sold the book which told me to sell all that I had and give to the poor.

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

One of the brethren had been insulted by another and he wanted to take revenge. He came to Abbot Sisois and told him what had taken place, saying: I am going to get even, Father. But the elder besought him to leave the affair in the hands of God. No, said the brother, I will not give up until I have made that fellow pay for what he said. Then the elder stood up and began to pray in these terms: O God, Thou art no longer necessary to us, and we no longer need Thee to take care of us since, as this brother says, we both can and will avenge ourselves. Hearing this the brother promised to give up his idea of revenge.

One of the brothers asked Abbot Sisois: Supposing some robbers or savages attack me and try to kill me: if I can overcome them should I kill them myself? The elder replied: Not at all. But commit yourself entirely to God. Any evil that comes to you, confess that it has happened to you because of your sins, for you must learn to attribute everything to the dispensation of God's wisdom.

There was once a great hermit in the mountains and he was attacked by robbers. But his cries aroused the other hermits in the neighbourhood, and they ran together and captured the robbers. These they sent under guard to the town and the judge put them in jail. But then the brothers were very ashamed and sad because, on their account, the robbers had been turned over to the judge. They went to Abbot Poemen and told him all about it. And the elder wrote to the hermit saying: Remember who carried out the first betrayal, and you will learn the reason for the second.

9 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Poemen said: Unless Nabuzardan the prince of the cooks had come to Jerusalem, the temple of the Lord would not have been burnt with fire. So too, unless the desire of gluttony had come into the soul, the mind of man would not have been enkindled by the temptations of the devil.

A certain brother came to Abbot Silvanus at Mount Sinai, and seeing the hermits at work he exclaimed: Why do you work for the bread that perisheth? Mary has chosen the best part, namely, to sit at the feet of the Lord without working. Then the Abbot said to his disciple Zachary: Give the brother a book and let him read, and put him in an empty cell. At the ninth hour the brother who was reading began to look out to see if the Abbot was not going to call him to dinner, and sometime after the ninth hour he went himself to the Abbot and said: Did the brethren not eat today, Father? Oh yes, certainly, said the Abbot, they just had dinner. Well, said the brother, why did you not call me? You are a spiritual man, said the elder, you don't need this food that perisheth. We have to work, but you have chosen the best part. You read all day and can get along without food. Hearing this the brother said: Forgive me, Father. And the elder said: Martha is necessary to Mary, for it was because Martha worked that Mary was able to be praised.

One of the monks, called Serapion, sold his book of the Gospels and gave the money to those who were hungry, saying: I have sold the book which told me to sell all that I had and give to the poor.

10 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

ONE of the brethren had been insulted by another and he wanted to take revenge. He came to Abbot Sisois and told him what had taken place, saying: I am going to get even, Father.

But the elder besought him to leave the affair in the hands of God.

No, said the brother, I will not give up until I have made that fellow pay for what he said.

Then the elder stood up and began to pray in these terms: O God, Thou art no longer necessary to us, and we no longer need Thee to take care of us since, as this brother says, we both can and will avenge ourselves.

Hearing this the brother promised to give up his idea of revenge.

ONE of the brothers asked Abbot Sisois: Supposing some robbers or savages attack me and try to kill me: if I can overcome them should I kill them myself?

The elder replied: Not at all. But commit yourself entirely to God. Any evil that comes to you, confess that it has happened to you because of your sins, for you must learn to attribute everything to the dispensation of God's wisdom.

THERE was once a great hermit in the mountains and he was attacked by robbers. But his cries aroused the other hermits in the neighbourhood, and they ran together and captured the robbers. These they sent under guard to the town and the judge put them in jail.

But then the brothers were very ashamed and sad because, on their account, the robbers had been turned over to the judge. They went to Abbot Poemen and told him all about it.

And the elder wrote to the hermit saying: Remember who carried out the first betrayal, and you will learn the reason for the second.

Unless you had first been betrayed by your own inward thoughts, you would never have ended by turning those men over to the judge. The hermit, touched by these words, got up at once and went into the city and broke open the jail, letting out the robbers and freeing them from torture.

10/04/2025, 22:43 - +43 664 99689789 left

11 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Once in the Valley of the Cells, a feast being celebrated, the brethren were eating together in the place of assembly. And there was a certain brother present, who said to the one waiting on table: “I do not eat any cooked food, just a little salt.” And the one waiting on table called another brother in the presence of the whole assembly, saying: “That brother does not eat cooked food. Just bring him some salt.” One of the elders got up and said to the brother who wanted salt: “It would have been better had you eaten meat alone in your cell today, than to let this thing be heard in the presence of so many brethren.”

One of the brethren had sinned, and the priest told him to leave the community. So, then Abbot Bessarion got up and walked out with him, saying: “I too am a sinner!”

A brother in Scete happened to commit a fault, and the elders assembled, and sent for Abbot Moses to join them. He, however, did not want to come. The priest sent him a message, saying: “Come, the community of the brethren is waiting for you.” So, he arose and started off. And taking with him a very old basket full of holes, he filled it with sand and carried it behind him. The elders came out to meet him, and said: “What is this, Father?” The elder replied: “My sins are running out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I come to judge the sins of another!” They, hearing this, said nothing to the brother but pardoned him.

A certain brother inquired of Abbot Pastor, saying: “What shall I do? I lose my nerve when I am sitting alone at prayer in my cell.” The elder said to him: “Despise no one, condemn no one, rebuke no one, God will give you peace and your meditation will be undisturbed.”

12 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

An elder said: “Do not judge a fornicator if you are chaste, for if you do, you too are violating the law as much as he is. For He who said ‘thou shalt not fornicate’ also said ‘thou shalt not judge.’”

One of the Fathers told a story of a certain elder who was in his cell busily at work and wearing a hairshirt when Abbot Ammonas came to him. When Abbot Ammonas saw him wearing a hairshirt he said: “That thing won't do you a bit of good.” The elder said: “Three thoughts are troubling me. The first impels me to withdraw somewhere into the wilderness. The second, to seek a foreign land where no one knows me; the third, to wall myself into this cell and see no one and eat only every second day.” Abbot Ammonas said to him: “None of these three will do you a bit of good. But sit in your cell, and eat a little every day, and have always in your heart the words which are read in the Gospel and were said by the Publican, and thus you can be saved.”

It was told of Abbot John the Dwarf that once he had said to his elder brother: “I want to live in the same security as the angels have, doing no work, but serving God without intermission.” And casting off everything he had on, he started out into the desert. When a week had gone by, he returned to his brother. And while he was knocking on the door, his brother called out before opening, and asked: “Who are you?” He replied: “I am John.” Then his brother answered and said: “John has become an angel and is no longer among men.” But John kept on knocking and said: “It is I.” Still the brother did not open but kept him waiting. Finally, opening the door, he said: “If you are a man, you are going to have to start working again in order to live. But if you are an angel, why do you want to come into a cell?” So, John did penance and said: “Forgive me, brother, for I have sinned.”

13 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Pastor said: If you have a chest full of clothing, and leave it for a long time, the clothing will rot inside it. It is the same with the thoughts in our heart. If we do not carry them out by physical action, after a long while they will spoil and turn bad.

The same Father said: If there are three monks living together, of whom one remains silent in prayer at all times, and another is ailing and gives thanks for it, and the third waits on them both with sincere good will, these three are equal, as if they were performing the same work.

He said, again: Malice will never drive out malice. But if someone does evil to you, you should do good to him, so that by your good work you may destroy his malice.

And he also said: He who is quarrelsome is no monk; he who returns evil for evil is no monk; he who gets angry is no monk.

A brother came to Abbot Pastor and said: Many distracting thoughts come into my mind, and I am in danger because of them. Then the elder thrust him out into the open air and said: Open up the garments about your chest and catch the wind in them. But he replied: This I cannot do. So, the elder said to him: If you cannot catch the wind, neither can you prevent distracting thoughts from coming into your head. Your job is to say No to them.

14 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Ammonas said: One man carries an axe all his life and never cuts down a tree. Another, who knows how to cut, gives a few swings and the tree is down. This axe, he said, is discretion.

Abbot Palladius said: The soul that wishes to live according to the will of Christ should either learn faithfully what it does not yet know or teach openly what it does know. But if, when it can, it desires to do neither of these things, it is afflicted with madness. For the first step away from God is a distaste for learning, and lack of appetite for those things for which the soul hungers when it seeks God.

One of the elders said: If a man settles in a certain place and does not bring forth the fruit of that place, the place itself casts him out, as one who has not borne its fruit.

An elder was asked: What does it mean, this word we read in the Bible, that the way is strait and narrow? And the elder replied: This is the strait and narrow way: that a man should do violence to his judgments and cut off, for the love of God, the desires of his own will. This is what was written of the Apostles: Behold we have left all things and have followed Thee.

One of the elders said: It is not because evil thoughts come to us that we are condemned, but only because we make use of the evil thoughts. It can happen that from these thoughts we suffer shipwreck, but it can also happen that because of them we may be crowned.

Another elder said: It happens that one man eats more and yet remains hungry, and another man eats less, and is satisfied. The greater reward belongs to the one who ate more and is still hungry than to him who ate less and is satisfied.

15 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

There was a certain brother who was praised by all the others in the presence of Abbot Anthony, but when the elder tested him, he found that he could not bear to be insulted. Then Abbot Anthony said: “You, brother, are like a house with a big strong gate, that is freely entered by robbers through all the windows.”

One of the brethren asked an elder, saying: “Father, do the holy men always know when the power of God is in them?” And the elder replied: “No, they do not always know it. For once a very great hermit had a disciple who did something wrong and the hermit said to him: ‘Go and drop dead!’ Instantly the disciple fell down dead and the hermit, overcome with terror, prayed to the Lord, saying: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, I beg Thee to bring my disciple back to life and from now on I will be careful what I say.’ Then right away the disciple was restored to life.”

One of the elders used to say: “In the beginning when we got together, we used to talk about something that was good for our souls, and we went up and up, and ascended even to heaven. But now we get together and spend our time in criticizing everything, and we drag one another down into the abyss.”

Yet another elder said: “If you see a young monk by his own will climbing up into heaven, take him by the foot and throw him to the ground, because what he is doing is not good for him.”

16 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Pastor said: “Get away from any man who always argues every time he talks.”

A certain elder said: “Apply yourself to silence, have no vain thoughts, and be intent in your meditation, whether you sit at prayer, or whether you rise up to work in the fear of God. If you do these things, you will not have to fear the attacks of the evil ones.”

Another of the elders said: “When the eyes of an ox or mule are covered, then he goes round and round turning the mill wheel; but if his eyes are uncovered, he will not go around in the circle of the mill wheel. So too the devil: if he manages to cover the eyes of a man, he can humiliate him in every sin. But if that man's eyes are not closed, he can easily escape from the devil.”

Certain brethren came from the Thebaid to buy linen, and they said to one another: “This opportunity will enable us to see the Blessed Arsenius.” And when they came to his cave, his disciple Daniel went in and told him of their wish. Arsenius replied: “Go, my son, receive them and do them honour. But permit me to look upon heaven and let them go their way. My face they shall not see.”

The holy Fathers came together and spoke of what would happen in the last generation, and one of them especially, called Squirion, said: “We now fulfil the commandments of God.” Then the Fathers asked him: “What about those who will come after us?” He replied: “Perhaps half of them will keep the commandments of God and will seek the eternal God.” And the Fathers asked: “Those who come after these, what shall they do?” He replied and said: “The men of that generation will not have the works of God's commandments and will forget His precepts. At that time wickedness will overflow and the charity of many will grow cold. And there shall come upon them a terrible testing. Those who shall be found worthy in this testing will be better than we are and better than our fathers. They shall be happier and more perfectly proven in virtue.”

17 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbot Arsenius lived in a cell thirty-two miles away from his nearest neighbour, and he seldom went out of it. The things he needed were brought there by disciples. But when the desert of Scete where he lived became peopled with hermits, he went away from there weeping and saying: “Worldly men have ruined Rome and monks have ruined Scete.”

Abraham, the disciple of Abbot Sisois, said to him: “Father, you are an old man. Let’s go back to the world.” Abbot Sisois replied: “Very well, we’ll go where there are no women.” His disciple said: “What is the place in which there are no women, except the desert alone?” The elder replied to him: “Therefore, take me into the desert.”

The story is told that one of the elders lay dying in Scete, and the brethren surrounded his bed, dressed him in the shroud, and began to weep. But he opened his eyes and laughed. He laughed another time, and then a third time. When the brethren saw this, they asked him, saying: “Tell us, Father, why you are laughing while we weep?” He said to them: “I laughed the first time because you fear death. I laughed the second time because you are not ready for death. And the third time I laughed because from labours I go to my rest.” As soon as he had said this, he closed his eyes in death.

18 April 2025

(Sayings Of the Desert Fathers)

Abbot Lot came to Abbot Joseph and said: “Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as I am able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do?” The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said: “Why not be totally changed into fire?”

They used to say of Abbot Sisois that unless he quickly lowered his hands and ceased from praying, his mind would be carried away into heaven. And whenever he happened to pray with another brother, he made haste to lower his hands lest his mind be carried away and he remain in another world.

One of the Fathers said: “Just as it is impossible for a man to see his face in troubled water, so too the soul, unless it be cleansed of alien thoughts, cannot pray to God in contemplation.”

A brother came and stayed with a certain solitary and when he was leaving, he said: “Forgive me, Father, for I have broken in upon your Rule.” But the hermit replied, saying: “My Rule is to receive you with hospitality and to let you go in peace.”

19 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

A BROTHER said to Abbot Pastor: If I give one of my brothers a little bread or something of the sort, the demons spoil everything and it seems to me that I have acted only to please men.

The elder said to him: Even if your good work was done to please, we must still give to our brothers what they need.

Then he told him this story. Two farmers lived in a village. One of them sowed his field and reaped only a small and wretched crop. The other neglected to sow anything at all, and so he reaped nothing. Which of the two will survive, if there is a famine?

The brother replied: The first one, even though his crop is small and wretched. The elder said to him: Let us also sow, even though our sowing is small and wretched, lest we die in the time of hunger.

ABBOT HYPERICHIUS said: The office of a monk is to obey, and if he fulfils it, what he asks in prayer will be granted, and he will stand with confidence before the Crucified Christ: for thus the Lord Himself came to His Cross, being made obedient unto death.

SOME elders once came to Abbot Anthony, and there was with them also Abbot Joseph.

Wishing to test them, Abbot Anthony brought the conversation around to the Holy Scriptures.

And he began from the youngest to ask them the meaning of this or that text. Each one replied as best he could, but Abbot Anthony said to them: You have not got it yet.

After them all he asked Abbot Joseph: What about you? What do you say this text means? Abbot Joseph replied: I know not!

Then Abbot Anthony said: Truly Abbot Joseph alone has found the way, for he replies that he knows not.

20 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

JOHN of Thebes said: The monk must be before all else humble. This is the first commandment of the Lord, who said: Blessed are the poor of spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

ONCE Abbot Macarius was on his way home to his cell from the marshes, carrying reeds, and he met the devil with a reaper's sickle in his path. The devil tried to get him with the sickle and couldn't. And the devil said: I suffer great violence from you, Macarius, because I cannot overcome you. For see, I do all the things that you do. You fast, and I eat nothing at all. You watch, and I never sleep. But there is one thing alone in which you overcome me. Abbot Macarius said to him: What is that? Your humility, the devil replied, for because of it I cannot overcome you.

ABBOT PASTOR was asked by a certain brother: How should I conduct myself in the place where I live? The elder replied: Be as cautious as a stranger; wherever you may be, do not desire your word to have power before you, and you will have rest.

ABBOT PASTOR said: A man must breathe humility and the fear of God just as ceaselessly as he inhales and exhales the air.

ABBOT ALONIUS said: Humility is the land where God wants us to go and offer sacrifice.

ONE of the elders was asked what humility was, and he said: If you forgive a brother who has injured you before he himself asks pardon.

21 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

A BROTHER asked one of the elders: What is humility? The elder answered him: To do good to those who do evil to you.

The brother asked: Supposing a man cannot go that far, what should he do?

The elder replied: Let him get away from them and keep his mouth shut.

To ONE of the brethren appeared a devil, transformed into an angel of light, who said to him: I am the Angel Gabriel, and I have been sent to thee.

But the brother said: Think again you must have been sent to somebody else. I haven't done anything to deserve an angel. Immediately the devil ceased to appear.

IT WAS said of one of the elders that he persevered in a fast of seventy weeks, eating only once a week. This elder asked God to reveal to him the meaning of a certain Scriptural text, and God would not reveal it to him.

So, he said to himself: Look at all the work I have done without getting anywhere! I will go to one of the brothers and ask him.

When he had gone out and closed the door and was starting on his way an angel of the Lord was sent to him, saying: The seventy weeks you fasted did not bring you any closer to God, but now that you have humbled yourself and set out to ask your brother, I am sent to reveal the meaning of that text.

And opening to him the meaning which he sought, he went away.

ABBOT PASTOR said: Any trial whatever that comes to you can be conquered by silence.

22 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

When he had gone out and closed the door and was starting on his way, an angel of the Lord was sent to him, saying: "The seventy weeks you fasted did not bring you any closer to God, but now that you have humbled yourself and set out to ask your brother, I am sent to reveal the meaning of that text." And opening to him the meaning which he sought, he went away.

Abbot Pastor said: "Any trial whatever that comes to you can be conquered by silence."

Once there was an elder in the lower parts of Egypt, and he was a very famous hermit, living all alone in a desert place. Satan brought it about that a woman of easy virtue said to some young men: "What will you give me, and I will go out and knock down that hermit of yours?" So, they agreed on a certain sum they would give her. And going out one evening, she came to his cell pretending to have lost her way. She knocked at his door, and he came out. Seeing her, he was disturbed and said: "How did you get out here?" She pretended to weep and said: "I have lost my way." So, being moved to pity, he let her in to the front room of his cell, and for his part, he went on to the inner room and locked the door. But the unfortunate woman cried out: "Father, the wild animals will eat me out here." Once again, the elder was disturbed and thought of the Judgment of God, and said: "How did this dreadful thing ever happen to me?" But, opening his door, he let her in. And the devil began to shoot flaming arrows into his heart. But he said within himself: "The ways of the enemy are darkness, and the Son of God is light." So, he lit a lantern. But the temptation continued, and he said to himself: "Well, let's see whether you will be able to bear the flames of hell." And he put a finger into the flame. But though the flame burned him, he did not feel it, so strong was the fire of lust in him. And he went on like that until morning, burning all his fingers. The unfortunate woman, watching what he was doing, was so struck with terror that she almost turned into stone. In the morning, the two young men came to the hermit and said: "Did a woman come here last night?" "Yes," said the hermit, "she is over there asleep." But they said: "Father, she is dead!" Then he, throwing back the cloak he had on, showed them his hands and said: "Look what she did to me, that child of hell! She has cost me all my fingers." And having told them all that had taken place, he ended with: "It is written: thou shalt not render evil for evil." So, he said a prayer, and she revived. She was converted and lived chastely for the rest of her life.

23 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Abbess Syncletica of holy memory said: "There is labour and great struggle for the impious who are converted to God, but after that comes inexpressible joy. A man who wants to light a fire first is plagued by smoke, and the smoke drives him to tears, yet finally he gets the fire that he wants. So also, it is written: 'Our God is a consuming fire.' Hence, we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with labour and with tears."

Abbot Pastor said that Abbot John the Dwarf had prayed to the Lord, and the Lord had taken away all his passions, so that he became impassible. And in this condition, he went to one of the elders and said: "You see before you a man who is completely at rest and has no more temptations." The elder said: "Go and pray to the Lord to command some struggle to be stirred up in you, for the soul is matured only in battles."

Jai Ramakrishna 24 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

IT WAS told of Abbot Milido that when he lived in Persia with two disciples, the sons of the Emperor came out on a great hunt, spreading nets for forty miles around, determined to kill everything they caught in them. And the elder was found in the nets with his two disciples. And when they saw him all hairy (he was an awful sight!), they were amazed and asked him whether he were a man or some kind of spirit. He replied: "I am a man and a sinner and I came out here to weep for my sins and to adore the Son of the Living God." To which they replied: "There is no god but sun and water and fire. Adore these, and sacrifice to them." "Oh no I will not," he said, "these are creatures and you are mistaken. You should acknowledge the true God who made these things and everything else besides." "A condemned and crucified criminal is what you call a God!" they said, mocking him. "He who was crucified destroyed death," said the elder, "and Him I call the true God." So, they took him and set him up like a target and shot arrows at him from different sides, and while they were doing this the elder said to them: "Tomorrow in this very hour your mother will be childless." They laughed at him and started out the next day to continue hunting. And it happened that a stag got through the nets and they went after him on horseback, and coming towards the stag from opposite sides they let fly their arrows and struck one another in the heart and so died, according to the words of the elder.

25 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

ONCE some robbers came into the monastery and said to one of the elders: "We have come to take away everything that is in your cell." And he said: "My sons, take all you want." So, they took everything they could find in the cell and started off. But they left behind a little bag that was hidden in the cell. The elder picked it up and followed them, crying out: "My sons, take this, you forgot it in the cell!" Amazed at the patience of the elder, they brought everything back into his cell and did penance, saying: "This one really is a man of God!"

THERE was an elder who had a well-tried novice living with him, and once, when he was annoyed, he drove the novice out of the cell. But the novice sat down outside and waited for the elder. The elder, opening the door, found him there, and did penance before him, saying: "You are my Father, because your patience and humility have overcome the weakness of my soul."

24 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

IT WAS told of Abbot Milido that when he lived in Persia with two disciples, the sons of the Emperor came out on a great hunt, spreading nets for forty miles around, determined to kill everything they caught in them. And the elder was found in the nets with his two disciples. When they saw him all hairy (he was an awful sight!), they were amazed and asked him whether he were a man or some kind of spirit. He replied: “I am a man and a sinner, and I came out here to weep for my sins and to adore the Son of the Living God.” To which they replied: “There is no god but sun and water and fire. Adore these, and sacrifice to them.” “Oh no, I will not,” he said. “These are creatures, and you are mistaken. You should acknowledge the true God who made these things and everything else besides.” “A condemned and crucified criminal is what you call a God!” they said, mocking him. “He who was crucified destroyed death,” said the elder, “and Him I call the true God.” So, they took him and set him up like a target and shot arrows at him from different sides, and while they were doing this the elder said to them: “Tomorrow in this very hour your mother will be childless.” They laughed at him and started out the next day to continue hunting. And it happened that a stag got through the nets and they went after him on horseback, and coming towards the stag from opposite sides they let fly their arrows and struck one another in the heart and so died, according to the words of the elder.

25 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

ONCE some robbers came into the monastery and said to one of the elders: We have come to take away everything that is in your cell.

And he said: My sons, take all you want. So, they took everything they could find in the cell and started off. But they left behind a little bag that was hidden in the cell.

The elder picked it up and followed them, crying out: My sons, take this, you forgot it in the cell!

Amazed at the patience of the elder, they brought everything back into his cell and did penance, saying: This one really is a man of God!

THERE was an elder who had a well-tried novice living with him, and once, when he was annoyed, he drove the novice out of the cell.

But the novice sat down outside and waited for the elder.

The elder, opening the door, found him there, and did penance before him, saying: You are my Father, because your patience and humility have overcome the weakness of my soul. Come back in; you can be the elder and the Father, I will be the youth and the novice: for by your good work, you have surpassed my old age.

A BROTHER asked one of the elders, saying: There are two brothers, of whom one remains praying in his cell, fasting six days at a time and doing a great deal of penance. The other one takes care of the sick. Which one's work is more pleasing to God?

The elder replied: If that brother who fasts six days at a time were to hang himself up by the nose, he could not equal the one who takes care of the sick.

26 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

The elder picked it up and followed them, crying out: “My sons, take this; you forgot it in the cell!” Amazed at the patience of the elder, they brought everything back into his cell and did penance, saying: “This one really is a man of God!”

There was an elder who had a well-tried novice living with him, and once, when he was annoyed, he drove the novice out of the cell. But the novice sat down outside and waited for the elder. The elder, opening the door, found him there, and did penance before him, saying: “You are my Father, because your patience and humility have overcome the weakness of my soul. Come back in; you can be the elder and the Father, I will be the youth and the novice: for by your good work, you have surpassed my old age.”

A brother asked one of the elders, saying: “There are two brothers, of whom one remains praying in his cell, fasting six days at a time and doing a great deal of penance. The other one takes care of the sick. Which one’s work is more pleasing to God?” The elder replied: “If that brother who fasts six days at a time were to hang himself up by the nose, he could not equal the one who takes care of the sick.”

Abbot Agatho frequently admonished his disciple, saying: “Never acquire for yourself anything that you might hesitate to give to your brother if he asked you for it, for thus you would be found a transgressor of God’s command. If anyone asks, give to him, and if anyone wants to borrow from you, do not turn away from him.”

A certain brother asked of an elder, saying: “If a brother owes me a little money, do you think I should ask him to pay me back?” The elder said to him: “Ask him for it once only, and with humility.” The brother said: “Suppose I ask him once and he doesn’t give me anything, what should I do?” Then the elder said: “Don’t ask him anymore.” The brother said again: “But what can I do? I cannot get rid of my anxieties about it, unless I go and ask him?” The elder said to him: “Forget your anxieties. The important thing is not to sadden your brother, for you are a monk.”

When people came to buy from Abbot Agatho the things which he had made with the work of his hands, he sold to them in peace. His price for a sieve was a hundred pence, and for a basket two hundred and fifty. When they came to buy, he told them the price, and took whatever they gave him, in silence, not even counting the coins. For he said: “What is the use of me arguing with them, and leading them perhaps into sin by perjuring themselves and then, perhaps, if I have some extra money, giving it to the brethren? God does not want alms of this kind from me, and it does not please Him if, in order to make my offering, I lead someone into sin.” Then one of the brethren said to him: “And how are you ever going to get a supply of bread for your cell?” To which he answered: “What need have I, in my cell, of the bread of men?”

27 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

THERE was a certain elder who, if anyone maligned him, would go in person to offer him presents, if he lived nearby. And if he lived at a distance, he would send presents by the hand of another.

ABBOT ANTHONY taught Abbot Ammonas, saying: You must advance yet further in the fear of God. And taking him out of the cell he showed him a stone, saying: Go and insult that stone, and beat it without ceasing.

When this had been done, St. Anthony asked him if the stone had answered back.

No, said Ammonas.

Then Abbot Anthony said: You too must reach the point where you no longer take offence at anything.

ABBOT PASTOR said: Just as bees are driven out by smoke, and their honey is taken away from them, so a life of ease drives out the fear of the Lord from man's soul and takes away all his good works.

A CERTAIN Philosopher asked St. Anthony: Father, how can you be so happy when you are deprived of the consolation of books?

Anthony replied: My book, O philosopher, is the nature of created things, and any time I want to read the words of God, the book is before me.

ABBOT JOSEPH asked Abbot Pastor: Tell me how I can become a monk. The elder replied: If you want to have rest here in this life and also in the next, in every conflict with another say: Who am I? And judge no one.

28 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Once a certain provincial judge came to see Abbot Simon, and the elder took the belt he had on and went up to the top of a date palm as though he were a workman picking dates. But they, approaching, asked him: "Where is the hermit who lives in this part of the desert?" To which he replied: "There is no hermit around here." At this they all departed.

On another occasion a different judge came to see him, and his companions, running on ahead of the judge, said: "Father, get ready. A judge who has heard about you is on his way out here to ask your blessing." The elder said: "You can be sure I will get ready." And covering himself with all his garments he took some bread and cheese in his hands and sat down in the entry to his cell and began to gobble. The judge and his retainers arrived and saw him eating and hailed him with contempt. "Is this the hermit monk we heard so much about?" they asked. They swung around immediately and headed back where they had come from.

Once Abbot Anthony was conversing with some brethren, and a hunter who was after game in the wilderness came upon them. He saw Abbot Anthony and the brothers enjoying themselves, and disapproved. Abbot Anthony said: "Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it." This he did. "Now shoot another," said the elder. "And another, and another." The hunter said: "If I bend my bow all the time it will break." Abbot Anthony replied: "So, it is also in the work of God. If we push ourselves beyond measure, the brethren will soon collapse. It is right, therefore, from time to time, to relax their efforts."

29 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

One of the holy Fathers said to the monks who asked him about the reason for renunciation: "My sons, it is right that we should hate all rest in this present life and hate also pleasures of the body and the joys of the belly. Let us not seek honour from men: then Our Lord Jesus Christ will give us heavenly honours, rest in eternal life, and glorious joy with His angels."

Abbot Zeno told us that once when he was on his way to Palestine he sat down under a tree, weary with journeying. Now he was right next to a field full of cucumbers. In his heart he thought to get up and help himself to the cucumbers, to repair his strength. For, he said, it would be no great thing to take a few of them. But replying to himself in his thoughts, he said: "When thieves are condemned by the judges they are given over to torture. So, I ought to test myself and see if I can stand the torments which are suffered by robbers." And rising up at that very hour he stood in the hot sun for five days and roasted his body.

Jai Ramakrishna (Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

There were two brother monks living together in a cell and their humility and patience was praised by many of the Fathers. A certain holy man, hearing of this, wanted to test them and see if they possessed true and perfect humility. So, he came to visit them. They received him with joy, and all together they said their prayers and their psalms, as usual. Then the visitor went outside the cell and saw their little garden, where they grew their vegetables. Seizing his stick, he rushed in with all his might and began to destroy every plant in sight so that soon there was nothing left at all. Seeing him the two brothers said not one word. They did not even show sad or troubled faces. Coming back into the cell they finished their prayers for Vespers, and paid him honour, saying: "Father, if you like, we can get one cabbage that is left, and cook it and eat it, for now it is time to eat." Then the elder fell down before them, saying: "I give thanks to my God, for I see the Holy Spirit rests in you."

One of the brothers asked an elder saying: "Would it be all right if I kept two pence in my possession, in case I should get sick?" The elder, seeing his thoughts and that he wanted to keep them, said: "Keep them." The brother, going back to his cell, began to wrestle with his own thoughts, saying: "I wonder if the Father gave me his blessing or not?" Rising up, he went back to the Father, inquiring of him and saying: "In God's name, tell me the truth, because I am all upset over these two pence." The elder said to him: "Since I saw your thoughts and your desire to keep them, I told you to keep them. But it is not good to keep more than we need for our body. Now these two pence are your hope. If they should be lost, would not God take care of you? Cast your care upon the Lord, then, for He will take care of us."

30 April 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

There were two brother monks living together in a cell and their humility and patience was praised by many of the Fathers. A certain holy man, hearing of this, wanted to test them and see if they possessed true and perfect humility. 01/05/2025

1 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

THE elders and all the monks dwelling in the desert of Scete came together in council and agreed that Father Isaac should be ordained priest to serve the Church in that solitary place, where at stated days and hours the monks living in the desert come together for worship. But Abbot Isaac, hearing the decision that had been taken, fled to Egypt and hid himself in a field among the bushes, deeming himself unworthy of the honour of the priesthood. A large number of the monks set out after him, to catch him. Now when they had stopped at evening in that same field to rest, weary with their journey (for it was now night), they turned loose the ass that carried their baggage, and let him eat grass. Now while the ass was feeding, he came to the place where Abbot Isaac was hiding. And at daybreak, the monks, in search of the ass, came to the place where the old man had hidden himself. Marvelling at the dispensation of God, they seized him and were about to tie him up and take him prisoner and lead him away. But the venerable elder did not allow them, saying: Now I can no longer oppose you since it is perhaps the will of God that I, though unworthy, should receive priestly orders.

THERE were two elders living together in a cell, and they had never had so much as one quarrel with one another. One therefore said to the other: Come on, let us have at least one quarrel, like other men. The other said: I do not know how to start a quarrel. The first said: I will take this brick and place it here between us. Then I will say: It is mine. After that you will say: It is mine. This is what leads to a dispute and a fight. So, then they placed the brick between them, one said: It is mine, and the other replied to the first: I do believe that it is mine. The first one said again: It is not yours; it is mine.

1 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

THE elders and all the monks dwelling in the desert of Scete came together in council and agreed that Father Isaac should be ordained priest to serve the Church in that solitary place, where at stated days and hours the monks living in the desert come together for worship.

But Abbot Isaac, hearing the decision that had been taken, fled to Egypt and hid himself in a field among the bushes, deeming himself unworthy of the honour of the priesthood.

A large number of the monks set out after him, to catch him. Now when they had stopped at evening in that same field to rest, weary with their journey (for it was now night), they turned loose the ass that carried their baggage, and let him eat grass.

Now while the ass was feeding, he came to the place where Abbot Isaac was hiding. And at daybreak, the monks, in search of the ass, came to the place where the old man had hidden himself.

Marvelling at the dispensation of God, they seized him and were about to tie him up and take him prisoner and lead him away.

But the venerable elder did not allow them, saying: Now I can no longer oppose you since it is perhaps the will of God that I, though unworthy, should receive priestly orders.

THERE were two elders living together in a cell, and they had never had so much as one quarrel with one another.

One therefore said to the other: Come on, let us have at least one quarrel, like other men.

The other said: I do not know how to start a quarrel. The first said: I will take this brick and place it here between us. Then I will say: It is mine. After that you will say: It is mine. This is what leads to a dispute and a fight.

So, then they placed the brick between them, one said: It is mine, and the other replied to the first: I do believe that it is mine.

The first one said again: It is not yours; it is mine.

So, the other answered: Well then, if it is yours, take it! Thus, they did not manage after all to get into a quarrel.

2 May 2025

(Sayings of the Desert Fathers)

There was a certain elder who had fasted valiantly for fifty years and he said: “I have put out the flames of lust, and avarice and vainglory.”

Abbot Abraham heard about it, and came to him asking: “Did you really say that?”

“I did,” he replied.

Then Abbot Abraham said: “So, you go into your cell, and there is a woman lying on your mat. Can you think that she is not a woman?”

He said, “No, but I fight my thoughts so that I do not touch that woman.”

Then, said Abbot Abraham, “You have not killed fornication. The passion is alive, but it is bound. And now supposing you are on a journey and in the road among the stones and broken pottery you see some gold: can you think of it as if it were like the other stones?”

“No,” he replied, “but I resist my thoughts so that I do not pick it up.”

Then Abbot Abraham said: “You see, the passion is alive. But it is bound.”

Then Abbot Abraham said again: “You hear about two brothers, of whom one likes you and speaks well of you and the other hates you and speaks evil of you. They come to you: and do you receive them both alike?”

“No,” he replied, “but I am tormented inside, trying to be just as nice to the one who hates me as I am to the other.”

Abbot Abraham said: “The passions live, then. But in the saints, they are only, to some extent, bound.”

The same Abbot Agatho would say: “Even if an angry man were to revive the dead, he would not be pleasing to God because of his anger.”

3 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

THERE was a certain elder who had fasted valiantly for fifty years and he said: I have put out the flames of lust, and avarice and vainglory. Abbot Abraham heard about it, and came to him asking: Did you really say that? I did, he replied. Then Abbot Abraham said: So, you go into your cell, and there is a woman lying on your mat. Can you think that she is not a woman? He said, No, but I fight my thoughts so that I do not touch that woman. Then, said Abbot Abraham, you have not killed fornication. The passion is alive, but it is bound. And now supposing you are on a journey and in the road among the stones and broken pottery you see some gold: can you think of it as if it were like the other stones? No, he replied, but I resist my thoughts so that I do not pick it up. Then Abbot Abraham said: You see, the passion is alive. But it is bound. Then Abbot Abraham said again: You hear about two brothers, of whom one likes you and speaks well of you and the other hates you and speaks evil of you. They come to you: and do you receive them both alike? No, he replied, but I am tormented inside, trying to be just as nice to the one who hates me as I am to the other. Abbot Abraham said: The passions live, then. But in the saints, they are only, to some extent, bound.

THE same Abbot Agatho would say: Even if an angry man were to revive the dead, he would not be pleasing to God because of his anger.

ABBOT MARK once said to Abbot Arsenius: It is good, is it not, to have nothing in your cell that just gives you pleasure? For example, once I knew a brother who had a little wildflower that came up in his cell, and he pulled it out by the roots.

ONCE they asked Abbot Agatho: Which is greater? Bodily asceticism, or watchfulness over the interior man? The elder said: A man is like a tree. His bodily works are like the leaves of the tree, but interior self-custody is like the fruits. Since, it is written that every tree not bearing good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire, we must take all care to bear this fruit, which is custody of the mind. But we also need leaves to cover and adorn us: and that means good works done with the aid of the body.

IN THE beginning of his conversion Abbot Evagrius came to a certain elder and said: Father, tell me some word by which I may be saved. The elder said, If you want to be saved, whenever you go to see anybody, do not speak until he asks you something. Evagrius was deeply moved by this saying and did penance in the sight of the elder and made satisfaction to him, saying: Believe me, I have read many books and have never found anywhere such learning. And he went away and progressed greatly.

ONCE some of the elders came to Scete, and Abbot John the Dwarf was with them. And when they were dining, one of the priests, a very great old man, got up to give each one a little cup of water to drink, and no one would take it from him except John the Dwarf.

4 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)*

Father, what it is to hate evil?

The Father said: That man hates evil who hates his own sins, and looks upon every brother as a saint, and loves him as a saint.

Abbot John used to say: We have thrown down a light burden, which is the reprehending of our own selves, and we have chosen instead to bear a heavy burden, by justifying our own selves and condemning others.

One of the elders had finished his baskets and had already put handles on them, when he heard his neighbour saying: What shall I do? The market is about to begin and I have nothing with which to make handles for my baskets.

At once the elder went in and took off his handles, giving them to the brother with the words: Here, I don't need these, take them and put them on your baskets.

Thus, in his great charity he saw to it that his brother's work was finished while his own remained incomplete.

One of the elders said: Just as a bee, wherever she goes, makes honey, so a monk, wherever he goes, if he goes to do the will of God, can always produce the spiritual sweetness of good works.

Abbot John said: A monk must be like a man who, sitting under a tree, looks around and perceives all kinds of snakes and wild beasts running at him.

Since he cannot fight them all, he climbs the tree and gets away from them.

The monk, at all times, should do the same.

When evil thoughts are aroused by the enemy, he should fly, by prayer, to the Lord, and he will be saved.

5 May 2025

(Sayings Of the Desert Fathers)

Abbot Moses said: A man who lives apart from other men is like a ripe grape.

And a man who lives in the company of others is like a sour grape.

A great noble whom nobody knew came to Scete bringing with him gold, and he asked the priest of that place to hand it out to the brethren.

The priest said to him: The brethren don't need any of this.

The nobleman insisted and would not take no for an answer; so, he put the basket of gold down at the entrance to the church and said to the priest: Those who want some can help themselves.

But no one touched any of the gold, and some did not even look at it.

Then the elder said to the nobleman: The Lord has accepted your offering.

Go, now, and give it to the poor.

Abbot Mathois said: Better light work that takes a long time to finish than a hard job that is quickly done.

The Fathers used to say: If some temptation arises in the place where you dwell in the desert, do not leave that place in time of temptation.

For if you leave it then, no matter where you go, you will find the same temptation waiting for you.

But be patient until the temptation goes away, lest your departure scandalize others who dwell in the same place and bring tribulation upon them.

Abbot Zeno, the disciple of Abbot Sylvanus, said: Do not dwell in a famous place, and do not become the disciple of a man with a great name.

And do not lay any foundation when you build yourself a cell.

6 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

But be patient until the temptation goes away, lest your departure scandalize others who dwell in the same place and bring tribulation upon them.

Abbot Zeno, the disciple of Abbot Sylvanus, said: Do not dwell in a famous place, and do not become the disciple of a man with a great name. And do not lay any foundation when you build yourself a cell.

One of the elders said: Either fly as far as you can from men, or else, laughing at the world and the men who are in it, make yourself a fool in many things.

Theophilus of holy memory, Bishop of Alexandria, journeyed to Scete, and the brethren coming together said to Abbot Pambo: Say a word or two to the Bishop, that his soul may be edified in this place. The elder replied: If he is not edified by my silence, there is no hope that he will be edified by my words.

One of the elders said: A monk ought not to inquire how this one acts, or how that one lives. Questions like this take us away from prayer and draw us on to backbiting and chatter. There is nothing better than to keep silent.

Blessed Macarius said: This is the truth, if a monk regards contempt as praise, poverty as riches, and hunger as a feast, he will never die.

Two brethren went to an elder who lived alone in Scete. And the first one said: Father, I have learned all the Old and New Testaments by heart. The elder said to him: You have filled the air with words. The other one said: I have copied out the Old and New Testaments and have them in my cell. And to this one the elder replied: You have filled your window with parchment. And again, Not those who hear the Law will be justified before God but those who carry it out.

They asked him, therefore, what was the way of salvation, and he said to them: The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and humility with patience.

7 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

They said of a certain great elder in Scete: Whenever the brethren were building a cell he came out with great joy, and laid the foundations, and did not go away until the cell was finished. Once, going out to build a cell, he was very sad indeed. The brethren said: Why are you sad, Father? He replied: My sons, Scete will be destroyed. For I saw a fire kindled in Scete, and the brethren went out with palm branches and put it out. Again, the fire was kindled, and again they cut palm branches and put it out. But the third time it began to burn and filled the whole of Scete and could not be extinguished. That is why I am sorrowful and sad.

Abbot Hor said to his disciple: Take care that you never bring into this cell the words of another.

Abbot Moses said: A man ought to be like a dead man with his companion, for to die to one's friend is to cease to judge him in anything.

Certain of the brethren said to Abbot Anthony: We would like you to tell us some word, by which we may be saved. Then the elder said: You have heard the Scriptures, they ought to be enough for you. But they said: We want to hear something also from you, Father. The elder answered them: You have heard the Lord say: If a man strikes you on the left cheek, show him also the other one. They said to him: This we cannot do. He said to them: If you can't turn the other cheek, at least take it patiently on one of them. They replied: We can't do that either. He said: If you cannot even do that, at least do not go striking others more than you would want them to strike you. They said: We cannot do this either. Then the elder said to his disciple: Go cook up some food for these brethren, for they are very weak. Finally, he said to them: If you cannot even do this, how can I help you? All I can do is pray.

'Jai Ramakrishna 08/05/2025'

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

An elder said: “A man who keeps death before his eyes will at all times overcome his cowardice.”

An elder was asked by a certain soldier if God would forgive a sinner. And he said to him: “Tell me, beloved, if your cloak is torn, will you throw it away?” The soldier replied and said: “No. I will mend it and put it back on.” The elder said to him: “If you take care of your cloak, will God not be merciful to His own image?”

Once Abbot Sylvanus went away from his cell for a while, and his disciple Zachary with the other brethren moved back the garden fence and enlarged the garden. And when the elder came back and saw this, he picked up his sheepskin and prepared to leave. But they fell at his feet and begged him to tell them why he was doing this. The elder said: “I will not come into this cell until you move back the fence to where it was before.” They did this immediately, and he came in.

Once two brethren came to a certain elder whose custom it was not to eat every day. But when he saw the brethren, he invited them with joy to dine with him, saying: “Fasting has its reward, but he who eats out of charity fulfils two commandments, for he sets aside his own will and he refreshes his hungry brethren.”

They made a rule in Scete that they would fast a whole week before celebrating Easter. But it happened that in that week some brethren came to Abbot Moses from Egypt, and he cooked them a little vegetable stew. And when they saw the smoke coming up from his cell, the clerics of the church that is in Scete exclaimed: “Look, there is Moses breaking the rule, and cooking food in his cell. When he comes up here, we’ll tell him a thing or two.” But when the Sabbath came, the clerics saw the great holiness of Abbot Moses, and they said to him: “O Abbot Moses, you have broken the commandment of men but have strongly bound the commandment of God.”

One of the elders said: “Pray attentively, and you will soon straighten out your thoughts.”

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

A certain brother asked Abbot Pambo: “Why do the devils prevent me from doing good to my neighbour?” And the elder said to him: “Don’t talk like that. Is God a liar? Why don’t you just admit that you do not want to be merciful? Didn’t God say long ago: ‘I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and on all the forces of the enemy’? So why do you not stamp down the evil spirit?”

Abbot Pastor said: “Do not dwell in a place where you see that others are envious of you, for you will not grow there.”

Abbot Pastor said: “If a man has done wrong and does not deny it, but says: ‘I did wrong,’ do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: ‘Do not be sad, brother, but watch it in the future,’ you stir him up to change his life.”

Abbot Hyperichius said: “A monk who cannot hold his tongue when he is angry will not be able to control the passion of lust either.”

The Archbishop Theophilus, of holy memory, said, when he came to die: “You are a happy man, Abbot Arsenius, for you have always kept this hour before your eyes.”

When a certain man had asked Abbot Agatho to accept a gift of money for his own use, the Father refused, saying: “I have no need of it, since I live by the work of my hands.” But when the other kept on offering the gift and said: “At least take it for the needy,” Agatho replied: “That would shame me twice over, since I would receive money without being in need, and by giving away the money of another would be guilty of vanity.”

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

Blessed Macarius told this story about himself, saying: “When I was young and lived alone in my cell, they took me against my will and made me a cleric in the village.”

8 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

An elder said: A man who keeps death before his eyes will at all times overcome his cowardice.

An elder was asked by a certain soldier if God would forgive a sinner. And he said to him: Tell me, beloved, if your cloak is torn, will you throw it away? The soldier replied and said: No. I will mend it and put it back on. The elder said to him: If you take care of your cloak, will God not be merciful to His own image?

Once Abbot Sylvanus went away from his cell for a while, and his disciple Zachary with the other brethren moved back the garden fence and enlarged the garden. And when the elder came back and saw this he picked up his sheepskin and prepared to leave. But they fell at his feet and begged him to tell them why he was doing this. The elder said: I will not come into this cell until you move back the fence to where it was before. They did this immediately and he came in.

Once two brethren came to a certain elder whose custom it was not to eat every day. But when he saw the brethren, he invited them with joy to dine with him, saying: Fasting has its reward, but he who eats out of charity fulfils two commandments, for he sets aside his own will and he refreshes his hungry brethren.

They made a rule in Scete that they would fast a whole week before celebrating Easter. But it happened that in that week some brethren came to Abbot Moses, from Egypt, and he cooked them a little vegetable stew. And when they saw the smoke coming up from his cell, the clerics of the church that is in Scete exclaimed: Look, there is Moses breaking the rule, and cooking food in his cell. When he comes up here, we'll tell him a thing or two. But when the Sabbath came, the clerics saw the great holiness of Abbot Moses, and they said to him: O Abbot Moses, you have broken the commandment of men but have strongly bound the commandment of God.

One of the elders said: Pray attentively and you will soon straighten out your thoughts.

9 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

A CERTAIN brother asked Abbot Pambo: Why do the devils prevent me from doing good to my neighbour?

And the elder said to him: Don't talk like that. Is God a liar? Why don't you just admit that you do not want to be merciful? Didn't God say long ago: I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and on all the forces of the enemy? So why do you not stamp down the evil spirit?

ABBOT PASTOR said: Do not dwell in a place where you see that others are envious of you, for you will not grow there.

ABBOT PASTOR said: If a man has done wrong and does not deny it, but says: I did wrong, do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: Do not be sad, brother, but watch it in the future, you stir him up to change his life.

ABBOT HYPERICHIUS said: A monk who cannot hold his tongue when he is angry will not be able to control the passion of lust either.

THE Archbishop Theophilus, of holy memory, said, when he came to die: You are a happy man, Abbot Arsenius, for you have always kept this hour before your eyes.

WHEN a certain man had asked Abbot Agatho to accept a gift of money for his own use, the Father refused, saying: I have no need of it, since I live by the work of my hands.

But when the other kept on offering the gift and said: At least take it for the needy, Agatho replied: That would shame me twice over, since I would receive money without being in need, and by giving away the money of another would be guilty of vanity.

10 May 2025

(Sayings Of The Desert Fathers)

But when the other kept on offering the gift and said: “At least take it for the needy,” Agatho replied: “That would shame me twice over, since I would receive money without being in need, and by giving away the money of another would be guilty of vanity.”

BLESSED MACARIUS told this story about himself, saying: “When I was young and lived alone in my cell, they took me against my will and made me a cleric in the village. And since I did not wish to remain there but fled to another village where a pious layman helped me out by selling my work. It happened that a certain young girl got herself in trouble and became pregnant. And when her parents asked her who was responsible for it, she said: ‘That hermit of yours committed this crime.’ So out came her parents and seized me and hung pots around my neck and led me about along all the roads, beating me and insulting me, saying: ‘This monk has raped our daughter.’ And when they had just about killed me with their sticks, one of the old men said to them: ‘How long are you going to beat this foreign monk?’ But as he followed and tried to take care of me blushing with shame, they insulted him also, saying: ‘What has he done, this man whom you are trying to defend?’ And the parents of the girl asserted: ‘We will on no condition let him go unless the livelihood of the girl is provided for and unless someone will vouch for this man in case he absconds.’ So, when I made a sign to the old man to do this, he offered a guarantee and took me away. So, returning to my cell, I gave him all the baskets I found, to sell and provide food for myself and my wife. And I said: ‘Well, Macarius, now you’ve got yourself a wife, you will have to work harder to be able to feed her.’ So, I worked day and night to make her a living. But when the poor thing’s time was up, for several days she was tormented by labour pains and could not bring forth her child. And when she was asked about it, she said: ‘I pinned the crime on that hermit when he was innocent. For it was the young man next door who got me in this condition.’ Then he who had helped me, hearing this, was filled with joy and came to tell me all about it and to ask me to pardon them all. Hearing this, and fearing that people would come and bother me, I quickly made off and came to this place. Such was the cause of my coming to this part of the world.”

11 May 2025

(St. Cyril of Jerusalem On Repentance)

Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is the inflictor of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into vigorous awareness.

St. John Climacus on Humility

Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one, and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since they are slaves to the demons. You will also profit if you say this to yourself: how do I know what or how many other people’s sins are, or whether they are greater than or equal to my own? In our ignorance you and I, my soul, are worse than all men, we are dust and ashes under their feet. How can I not regard myself as more despicable than all other creatures, for they act in accordance with the nature they have been given, while I, owing to my innumerable sins, am in a state contrary to nature.

12 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Poemen said about Abba Pior that every single day he made a fresh beginning.

Abba Isaiah said: When someone wishes to render evil for evil, he is able to hurt his brother's conscience even by a single nod.

Abba Sisoes said: Seek God, and not where God lives.

One of the fathers said: Just as it is impossible to see your face in troubled water, so also the soul, unless it is clear of alien thoughts, is not able to pray to God in contemplation.

Abba John the Little said: We have abandoned a light burden, namely self-criticism, and taken up a heavy burden, namely self-justification.

Abba John of Thebaid said: Above all things, a monk ought to be humble. In fact, this is the first commandment of the Savior who said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Once the rule was made in Scetis that they should fast for the entire week before Easter. During this week, however, some brothers came from Egypt to see Abba Moses, and he made a modest meal for them. Seeing the smoke, the neighbours said to the priests of the church of that place: Look, Moses has broken the rule and is cooking food at his place. Then the priests said: When he comes out, we will talk to him. When the Sabbath came, the priests, who knew Abba Moses' great way of life, said to him in public: Oh, Abba Moses, you did break the commandment made by people, but you have firmly kept the commandment of God.

13 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Isaiah said: And just as the young branches can easily be corrected and bent, so can beginners who are obedient.

Abba Anthony said: The time is coming when people will be insane, and when they see someone who is not insane, they will attack that person saying: You are insane because you are not like us.

Abba Isaac said: Abba Pambo used to say that the monk's coat should be such that even if he threw it out of the cell and left it for three days, still nobody would take it.

Some old men came to see Abba Poemen, and said to him: Tell us, when we see brothers dozing during the sacred office, should we pinch them so they will stay awake? The old man said to them: Actually, if I saw a brother sleeping, I would put his head on my knees and let him rest.

Amma Syncletica said: If you happen to live in a community, do not move to another place, for it will harm you greatly. If a bird leaves her eggs, they never hatch. So also, the monk and the nun grow cold and dead in faith by going from place to place.

Abba Silvanus said: Woe to the person whose reputation is greater than his work.

One day Abba Arsenius was asking an old Egyptian man for advice about what he was thinking. There was someone who saw this and said to him: Abba Arsenius, why is a person like you, who has such a great knowledge of Greek and Latin, asking a peasant like this about your thoughts? He replied: Indeed, I have learned the knowledge of Latin and Greek, yet I have not learned even the alphabet of this peasant.

A brother who was living among other brothers asked Abba Bessarion: What should I do? The old man replied: Be silent, and do not measure yourself against the others.

14 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

There was a man who was leading an ascetic life and not eating bread.

He went to visit an old man.

It happened that pilgrims also dropped by, and the old man fixed a modest meal for them.

When they sat together to eat, the brother who was fasting picked up a single soaked pea and chewed it.

When they arose from the table, the old man took the brother aside and said: Brother, when you go to visit somewhere, do not display your way of life, but if you want to keep to it, stay in your cell and never come out.

He accepted what the old man said, and after that behaved like the others whenever he met with them.

Amma Syncletica said: In the beginning, there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near to God.

But after that, there is indescribable joy.

It is just Like building a fire: at first if s smoky and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result.

Thus, we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort.

A brother came to see Abba Theodore and started to talk and inquire about things which he himself had not tried yet.

The old man said to him You have not found a boat or put your gear into it, and you haven't even sailed, but you seem to have arrived in the city already! Well, do your work first; then you will come to the point you are talking about now.

15 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

There was a man who was leading an ascetic life and not eating bread. He went to visit an old man. It happened that pilgrims also dropped by, and the old man fixed a modest meal for them. When they sat together to eat, the brother who was fasting picked up a single soaked pea and chewed it. When they arose from the table, the old man took the brother aside and said: “Brother, when you go to visit somewhere, do not display your way of life, but if you want to keep to it, stay in your cell and never come out.” He accepted what the old man said, and after that behaved like the others whenever he met with them.

Amma Syncletica said: “In the beginning, there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near to God. But after that, there is indescribable joy. It is just like building a fire: at first it’s smoky and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result. Thus, we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort.”

A brother came to see Abba Theodore and started to talk and inquire about things which he himself had not tried yet. The old man said to him: “You have not found a boat or put your gear into it, and you haven’t even sailed, but you seem to have arrived in the city already! Well, do your work first; then you will come to the point you are talking about now.”

16 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

One day, when Abba Agathon was on his way to town to sell small utensils, he saw a leper sitting on the roadside, who asked: Where are you going?

Abba Agathon replied: To town, to sell these things.

Then he said: Do me a Favor and take me there.

So, he carried him to the town.

Then he said: Put me down wherever you sell those things.

So, he did.

And when he sold one item, the leper asked: How much did you sell it for? So, he told him how much it was.

Then he said: Buy me something nice.

So, he bought it.

He sold another item.

Then the leper asked: And how much was it? So, he told him the price.

Then he said: Buy me this.

So, he bought it.

After selling everything, he wanted to go.

Then the leper asked: Are you going back? He replied: Sure.

Then he said: Do me a favour again and take me back to the place where you found me.

So, he carried him back to the place where he was.

Then he said: You are blessed, Agathon, by the Lord, in heaven and on earth!

As the Abba lifted his eyes, he saw nobody, for it was an angel of the Lord who had come to test him.

Abba Hyperichius said: The person who teaches others by actions, not by words, is truly wise.

A brother asked Abba Hieracus: Give me a word.

How can I be saved?

The old man said to him: Sit in your cell; if you are hungry, eat; if you are thirsty, drink; and just do not speak evil of anyone, and you will be saved.

An old man said: If you have words, but no work, you are like a tree with leaves but no fruit.

But just as a tree bearing fruit is also leafy, a person who has good work comes up with good words.

17 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A brother asked Abba Hieracus: Give me a word. How can I be saved? The old man said to him: Sit in your cell; if you are hungry, eat; if you are thirsty, drink; and just do not speak evil of anyone, and you will be saved.

An old man said: If you have words, but no work, you are like a tree with leaves but no fruit. But just as a tree bearing fruit is also leafy, a person who has good work comes up with good words.

Saint Syncletica said: Just as a treasure exposed is quickly spent, so also any virtue which becomes famous or well publicized vanishes. Just as wax is quickly melted by fire, so the soul is emptied by praise, and loses firmness of virtue.

Abba John the Little said: No one can build a house from the top down; rather, you build the foundation first and then build upwards. People asked him: What do you mean by that? He said to them: The foundation means your neighbour whom you must win, and you ought to start from there. For all the commandments of Christ depend on this.

An old man said: If you have lost gold or silver, you can find something in place of what you lost. However, if you lose time, you cannot replace what you lost.

A brother asked Abba Poemen: What does it mean to get angry at one's brother without cause? And he replied: When your brother attacks you, whatever the insults are, if you get angry at him, you are getting angry without cause. Even if he were to pull out your right eye, and to cut off your right hand, if you get angry at him, you are getting angry without cause. Yet if he were to try to take you away from God, then get angry!

Abba Poemen asked Abba Anthony: What should I do? The old man said: Do not be confident in your own righteousness, do not worry about a thing once it's done, and control your tongue and your stomach.

Once two brothers went to visit an old man. It was not the old man's habit, however, to eat every day. When he saw the brothers, he welcomed them with joy, and said: Fasting has its own reward, but if you eat for the sake of love you satisfy two commandments, for you give up your own will and also fulfil the commandment to refresh others.

18 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Nisteros the Great was walking through the desert with a brother, and seeing a dragon, they ran away.

Then the brother said to him: Are you afraid too, Father?

The old man replied: I was not afraid, my son, but it was good for me to run away from the dragon; otherwise, I would not have escaped from the spirit of vainglory.

Abba Poemen said: Teach your mouth to speak what is in your heart.

Abba Elias said, Unless the mind sings with the body, the labour is in vain.

And: Whoever loves tribulation will have joy and refreshment afterwards.

There was an old man who had a good disciple.

One day he was annoyed and drove the disciple out.

Yet the disciple sat down outside of the cell and waited.

When the old man opened the door, he found him sitting there, and repented before him, saying: You are my father, for your humility and patience have overcome my narrow-mindedness. Come inside! From now on, you are the old man and the father, for sure, and I am the young one and the disciple.

For your good works have surpassed my old age.

When Abba Macarius was in Egypt, he found a man with a mule stealing his belongings.

Then, as though he were a stranger, he helped the robber to load the animal, and peacefully sent him off, saying: We have brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything with us.

The Lord has given, and as he has wished, so it has happened. Blessed be the Lord in all things.

Once some bandits came to the hermitage of an old man and said: We have come to take away everything in your cell.

And he said: Take whatever you see, my sons.

Then they took whatever they found in the cell and went away.

But they left behind a little bag which was out of sight.

But the old man picked it up, and ran after them, shouting: My sons, take this! You forgot it! They were indeed amazed by the endurance of the old man and brought everything back into the cell.

And all of them repented and said to each other: He really is a man of God.

19 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A brother said to an old man: “There are two brothers. One of them stays in his cell quietly, fasting for six days at a time, and imposing on himself a good deal of discipline, and the other serves the sick. Which one of them is more acceptable to God?”

The old man replied: “Even if the brother who fasts six days were to hang himself by the nose, he could not equal the one who serves the sick.”

Abba Xanthias said: “A dog is better than I am because it also has love, but it does not pass judgment.”

One old man went to visit another. As they were talking, one of them said: “I am dead to this world.”

The other man said to him: “Do not be so sure about yourself until you are really dead, for you may say that you are dead, yet Satan is not dead.”

A leader of a community asked Abba Poemen: “How can I gain the fear of God?”

Abba Poemen replied: “How indeed can we gain the fear of God when we have bellies full of cheese and jars of salted fish?”

Abba Sarmatas said: “I prefer a person who has sinned if he knows that he sinned and has repented, over a person who has not sinned and considers himself to be righteous.”

Abba Doulas, the disciple of Abba Bessarion, said: “When we were walking along the sea one day, I was thirsty, so I said to Abba Bessarion, ‘Abba, I am very thirsty.’ Then the old man prayed, and said to me, ‘Drink from the sea.’ The water was sweet when I drank it. And I poured it into a flask, so that I would not be thirsty later. Seeing this, the old man asked me, ‘Why are you doing that?’ I answered, ‘Excuse me, so that I won’t be thirsty later on.’ Then the old man said, ‘God is here, and God is everywhere.’”

20 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Poemen said: If a monk overcomes two things, he can be free from this world.

A brother asked: What are they? He replied: Bodily ease and vainglory.

A brother came to Abba Poemen and said: Abba, a variety of thoughts are coming into my mind and I am in danger.

The old man took him out in the air and said: Open your robe and take hold of the wind.

And he answered: No, I cannot do it.

The old man said: If you cannot do it, neither can you prevent those thoughts from coming in.

But what you should do is to stand firm against them.

There was a man in Egypt whose son was paralyzed, and he brought him to the cell of blessed Macarius, and left him crying at the door, and went away.

Then the old man looked around, and saw the boy crying, and said to him: Who brought you here?

And he said: My father abandoned me here and left.

And the old man said: Stand up and go get him!

The boy was healed at once, and went to find his father, and thus they went home together.

Once some people came to an old man in Thebaid, bringing a person possessed by a demon, hoping that he might be cured by the old man.

Being asked persistently for quite some time, the old man finally said to the demon: Go out of God's creation.

And the demon replied: I will go out but let me ask you just one thing.

Tell me, who are the goats and who are the sheep?

Then the old man said: A goat is someone such as I am, but as for the sheep, well, only God knows.

Hearing this the demon cried out in a loud voice: Look, because of your humility I am going out! And he went away that very moment.

21 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Isidore of Pelusia said: “Living without speaking is better than speaking without living. For a person who lives rightly helps us by silence, while one who talks too much merely annoys us. If, however, words and life go hand in hand, it is the perfection of all philosophy.”

Abba Poemen said: “There is a sort of person who seems to be silent but inwardly criticizes other people. Such a person is really talking all the time. Another may talk from morning till night, but says only what is meaningful, and so keeps silence.”

Anima Syncletica said: “It is good not to get angry. But if it should happen, do not allow your day to go by affected by it. For it is said: ‘Do not let the sun go down.’ Otherwise, the rest of your life may be affected by it. Why hate a person who hurts you, for it is not that person who is unjust, but the devil. Hate the sickness, but not the sick person.”

Abba Joseph asked Abba Poemen: “How should we fast?” And Abba Poemen said: “I myself think it’s good to eat every day, a little at a time, so as not to get full.” Abba Joseph said: “Well, when you were young, didn’t you used to fast for two days at a time?” And the old man said: “Believe me, indeed I did, for three days, and even a week. But the great elders tried all of this and found that it is good to eat every day, a little less each time. In this way, they showed us the royal highway, for it is light and easy.”

22 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

One day, Abba Isaac the Theban went to a monastic community and he saw a brother doing wrong, and he condemned him.

As he returned to the desert, an angel of the Lord came and stood in front of the door of his cell and said: I won't let you in.

He asked: What's the matter? And the angel replied: God has sent me to ask you where he should cast the sinner on whom you passed judgment.

Immediately he repented and said: I was wrong.Forgive me.

And the angel said: Get up, God has forgiven you.

In future be sure not to judge someone before God passes judgment.

As he was dying, Abba Benjamin taught his sons this: Do this, and you'll be saved: Rejoice always, pray constantly, and in all circumstances give thanks.

Abba Or said: Either flee from people or laugh at the world and the people in it and make a fool of yourself in many things.

Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said: Abba, as much as I am able, I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and meditation, and remain quiet, and as much as possible I keep my thoughts clean.

What else should I do?

Then the old man stood up and stretched out his hands toward heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame.

And he said: If you wish, you can become all flame.

Amma Sarah said: If I pray to God that all people might be inspired because of me, I would find myself repenting at the door of every house.

I would rather pray that my heart be pure toward everybody.

Abba Nilus said: Whatever you do in revenge against your brother who has hurt you will appear all at once in your heart at the time of prayer.

23 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Amma Sarah said: If I pray to God that all people might be inspired because of me, I would find myself repenting at the door of every house. I would rather pray that my heart be pure toward everybody.

Abba Nilus said: Whatever you do in revenge against your brother who has hurt you will appear all at once in your heart at the time of prayer.

The elders used to say: When we are tested, we are more humbled, for God knows our weakness and protects us. Yet when we boast, God takes his protection away from us. Then we are really lost.

Amma Theodora said: A teacher ought to be a stranger to love of domination, and a foreigner to vainglory, far from arrogance, neither deceived by flattery, nor blinded by gifts, nor a slave to the stomach, nor held back by anger, but rather should be patient, kind, and as far as possible humble. He ought to be self-disciplined, tolerant, diligent, and a lover of souls.

A brother asked an old man: What is humility? And the old man said: To do good to those who hurt you. The brother said: If you cannot go that far, what should you do? The old man replied: Get away from them and keep your mouth shut.

Abba Euprepios said: Bodily things consist of matter. The person who loves worldly things loves stumbling blocks. When we lose something, we should accept it with joy and thanks, as we have been relieved from its care.

Abba Sisoes the Theban said to his disciple: Tell me what you see in me and in turn I will tell you what I see in you. His disciple said to him: You are good in soul, but a little harsh. The old man said to him: You are good but your soul is not tough.

Isidore of Pelusia said: Prize virtues, and do not care for worldly prosperity. For the former are certainly immortal, but the latter is so easily extinguished.

24 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An old man said: Do not despise your neighbour, for you do not know whether the spirit of God is in you or in him. Well, I tell you, the one who serves you is your neighbour.

Abba Epiphanus said: God sells righteousness very cheap to those who are eager to buy: namely, for a little piece of bread, worthless clothes, a cup of cold water and one coin.

Abba Nilus said: Do not want things to turn out as they seem best to you, but as God pleases. Then you will be free of confusion and thankful in your prayer.

Some brothers asked Abba Agathon: Father, which of the virtues of our way of life demands the greatest effort? He said to them: Forgive me, but there is no effort comparable to prayer to God. In fact, whenever you want to pray, hostile demons try to interrupt you. Of course, they know that nothing but prayer to God entangles them. Certainly, when you undertake any other good work, and persevere in it, you obtain rest. But prayer is a battle all the way to the last breath.

They asked Abba Macanus: How should we pray? The old man answered: A long speech is not necessary, but instead stretch out your hands and say, Lord, as you wish and as you know, have mercy. Yet if you feel a conflict is breaking out, you have to say, Lord, help me! He knows what is good for us and treats us mercifully.

25 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Moses said to a brother: “Brother, come to obedience in the truth where there is humility, where there is strength, where there is joy, where there is patient endurance, where there is long suffering, where there is brotherly love, where there is sorrow for sin, where there is love. For he who obeys well fulfils all the commandments of God.”

Abba Moses said: “A monk who is under [the supervision] of a spiritual father yet does not possess obedience and humility, who fasts or does anything else of his own accord in order to appear righteous: such a person neither acquires a single virtue nor does he even know what it is to be a monk.”

A brother was embattled by the demon of *porneia* (lust) for a long time. He struggled hard but was unable to rid himself of it. One day when he was standing at the synaxis he felt himself being disturbed by the passion as before. He determined to overcome the insulting treatment of the demon and to ask the brothers to pray for him, that he might find some relief from the passion. Despising all shame, he stripped himself before all the brothers and placarded the activity of Satan saying: “Pray for me, fathers and brothers, for it is now 14 years that I have been embattled like this” — and the battle immediately receded from him through the humility which he had demonstrated.

The disciples of Abba Eulogius recounted: “When the elder sent us to Alexandria to sell [our] handiwork he gave us instructions not to stay.”

26 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Seven brothers once came to Abba Macarius from Alexandria to put him to the test. “Tell us father: how might we be saved?” they said. With a sigh the elder said: “Brothers, each one of us knows how he is to be saved but we do not want to be saved.”

But they said to him: “We very much want to be saved but our evil thoughts do not let us; so, what are we to do?”

The elder answered them: “If you are monks why are you going around with worldlings or approaching where there is a worldling? They are deceiving themselves, those who have renounced the world and have put on the holy habit but are [living] among worldlings. All their labour is in vain and they are far removed from the fear of God. They acquire nothing from worldlings other than physical repose; fear of God cannot dwell where there is physical repose, especially in a monk.

“A monk is deliberately called monk because he is speaking with God night and day and thinks only of what is God’s, having nothing on the earth. But the monk who lives with worldlings or sometimes spends more than one or at the most two days with them — and that because of pressing need and the fact that he cannot live any other way, that is, because of selling his handiwork and purchasing his necessities — [he should be] in a hurry to return and then consciously apologize to God for the one or two days he spent in the world to supply his natural needs.”

Jai Ramakrishna 27 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

‘He is not really a monk who acts otherwise and is in frequent contact with worldlings without any compelling reason or wastes time with them. Nor will he ever reap any benefit but rather shall acquire this from his dallying with worldlings: at first when he approaches them, he holds his tongue, fasts and humbles himself. That is, until he becomes known and his reputation spreads — that so-and-so monk is a great servant of God. Then right away Satan prompts the worldlings to bring him everything he needs: wine, gold and all sorts of things, saying about him: “A saint, a true saint!” On hearing the word saint, the humble [monk] becomes puffed up and sits down with them, eating, drinking and taking repose. When he is standing up to sing the psalms he raises his voice so the worldlings will say: “So-and-so monk is singing and keeping watch” — and will praise him. He is lifted up and exalted even more by their praise — and then his humility departs from him altogether.

‘Then if anybody says a slighting word to him, he replies even more slightingly and in this way his temper (helped along by vainglory) increases within him; desire is kindled more fervently in him as he continually sees women and children and hears worldly discourse. Thus, he commits adultery every day, unaware that “Everyone who looks on a woman and desires her has committed adultery with her already in his heart”. [Mt 5:28]

‘Then, for his own sake and for the needs of those who come visiting, he undertakes to lay his hands on what he needs for a year; this for the greater refreshment, of course, of those who come, deriving gold and silver from this. He makes no end of adding to his own evils until the demons completely make a fool of him, having distanced him from God and thrown him to destruction over the precipice of loving money, “For the love of money is the root of all evil”, the Apostle said [1 Tim 6:10] and as high as the heaven is from the earth, so far is a money-loving monk from the glory of God. There is no evil beyond the evil of a money-loving monk.

28 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

‘A monk who entertains worldly contacts craves the immediate prayers of several holy fathers in the hope that they will be able to be some little benefit to him. But who will be of assistance to one who is throwing himself into death? Do we not hear the Apostle John saying: “Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If one love the world the love of God is not in him”? [1 Jn 2:15] And James the [Lord’s] brother declaring: “If someone seems to be a friend of the world, he becomes an enemy of God”, [Jas 4:4] for friendship with the world is enmity with God? [cf. Rom 8:7]

‘Let us fly from the world as one flees from a serpent, brothers. He who is bitten by a serpent either dies or only just recovers. It is to our advantage to have one battle, not many and innumerable battles, on our hands. Tell me, brothers, where did our fathers acquire their virtues: in the world or in the desert? Clearly, in the desert, untrod by worldlings. And we, if we are in the world, how shall we be able to acquire virtue? If we do not hunger and thirst and shiver; if we be not far from the material [delights] of the world and become dead to every desire of the flesh, how shall we live in the spirit? How shall we attain the Kingdom of Heaven? If the soldier does not fight and conquer and then get money, he is not worthy of honour. If we are eating and drinking, living among the worldlings we used to be with before, how then shall we be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven?

27 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

‘He is not really a monk who acts otherwise and is in frequent contact with wordlings without any compelling reason or wastes time with them. Nor will he ever reap any benefit but rather shall acquire this from his dallying with worldlings: at first when he approaches them, he holds his tongue, fasts and humbles himself. That is, until he becomes known and his reputation spreads — that so-and-so monk is a great servant of God.

Then right away Satan prompts the worldlings to bring him everything he needs: wine, gold and all sorts of things, saying about him: “A saint, a true saint!”

On hearing the word saint, the humble [monk] becomes puffed up and sits down with them, eating, drinking and taking repose.

When he is standing up to sing the psalms he raises his voice so the worldlings will say: “So-and-so monk is singing and keeping watch” — and will praise him. He is lifted up and exalted even more by their praise — and then his humility departs from him altogether.

‘Then if anybody says a slighting word to him, he replies even more slightingly and in this way his temper (helped along by vainglory) increases within him; desire is kindled more fervently in him as he continually sees women and children and hears worldly discourse.

Thus, he commits adultery every day, unaware that “Everyone who looks on a woman and desires her has committed adultery with her already in his heart”. [Mt 5:28]

‘Then, for his own sake and for the needs of those who come visiting, he undertakes to lay his hands on what he needs for a year; this for the greater refreshment, of course, of those who come, deriving gold and silver from this.

He makes no end of adding to his own evils until the demons completely make a fool of him, having distanced him from God and thrown him to destruction over the precipice of loving money, “For the love of money is the root of all evil”, the Apostle said [1 Tim 6:10] and as high as the heaven is from the earth, so far is a money-loving monk from the glory of God. There is no evil beyond the evil of a money-loving monk.

28 May 2025

Nor will he ever reap any benefit but rather shall acquire this from his dallying with worldlings: at first when he approaches them, he holds his tongue, fasts and humbles himself. That is, until he becomes known and his reputation spreads — that so-and-so monk is a great servant of God. Then right away Satan prompts the worldlings to bring him everything he needs: wine, gold and all sorts of things, saying about him: “A saint, a true saint!” On hearing the word saint, the humble [monk] becomes puffed up and sits down with them, eating, drinking and taking repose. When he is standing up to sing the psalms he raises his voice so the worldlings will say: “So-and-so monk is singing and keeping watch” — and will praise him. He is lifted up and exalted even more by their praise — and then his humility departs from him altogether. Then if anybody says a slighting word to him, he replies even more slightingly and in this way his temper (helped along by vainglory) increases within him; desire is kindled more fervently in him as he continually sees women and children and hears worldly discourse. Thus, he commits adultery every day, unaware that “Everyone who looks on a woman and desires her has committed adultery with her already in his heart”. [Mt 5:28] Then, for his own sake and for the needs of those who come visiting, he undertakes to lay his hands on what he needs for a year; this for the greater refreshment, of course, of those who come, deriving gold and silver from this. He makes no end of adding to his own evils until the demons completely make a fool of him, having distanced him from God and thrown him to destruction over the precipice of loving money, “For the love of money is the root of all evil”, the Apostle said [1 Tim 6:10] and as high as the heaven is from the earth, so far is a money-loving monk from the glory of God. There is no evil beyond the evil of a money-loving monk.

29 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

‘The monk who has gold or silver or material objects in his possession does not believe that God is able to sustain him: the God who feeds the wild beasts and the creatures in the sea. If he cannot provide us with bread, neither can he give us his Kingdom, so what are we labouring for? Tell me, brothers: is it gold and silver that the angels in heaven heap up, or the glory of God? And we, did we renounce the world to collect money and material goods again, or to become angels? Are you not aware that the rank [of angels] which fell from heaven is being replaced from among monks? That is proclaimed by our habit, which everybody calls angelic.’

An elder said: ‘He who has sinned against God ought to remove himself from every human contact until he is convinced that God has become his friend; for the love of men obstructs us from the love of God.’

An elder said: ‘Just as a dead person in a city neither hears the voice of those who are there nor perceives anything of what goes on there, but is removed to another place where the voices and rowdiness of the city do not penetrate, so the monk when he renounces [the world] and transfers himself to the monastic life ought to become dead to all attachment to the world and to the distraction and toil of the vain and soul-destroying life, becoming distant from them. For if he depart not from his homeland after renouncing [the world] but is in the midst of the former disturbances, such a person is like a corpse lying in a house and stinking, from which they all run far away who smell it.’

30 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

The same [elder] said: ‘Just as unsalted meat goes bad for lack of salt and gives off a stench so that all who come by turn their eyes away from the bad odour, then worms are produced in it, crawling and burrowing into it while eating it; but if salt be put on it, the worms are eliminated and the bad odour is suppressed. So too does the monk go bad who devotes himself to earthly concerns and external distractions; who does not maintain *hesychia* in his monastery nor fortify himself with the fear of God in order not to become relaxed through carelessness; who neither alerts himself by meditating on death and its attendant punishments nor strengthens his heart by prayer and vigils — [all of which activities] engender spiritual salt. Such a monk is rotten and is filled with the strong stench of unclean and wicked *logismoi* to the extent that the face of God is turned away from him; and the chosen angels, disgusted at the impurity of such a soul, distance themselves from it. Then the spiritual worms, the powers of darkness, ever rejoicing in such bad odours, burrow into [that soul] walking about there and feeding [on it], making pleasant food of the filthy and unclean *logismoi* and actions through which the wretched [soul] is destroyed and runs to perdition. But if the monk be aware that he is in such danger and cast aside the exterior distractions, committing himself entirely to God and putting his entire hope in him; if he change all his concern and occupation into pleasing [God]; then, not long after, God will send him the spiritual salt, the good and people-loving Spirit. At his coming all the passions and the demons who work in and through them immediately vanish and disappear like smoke.’

31 May 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘One must run away from every worker of iniquity, be it a friend or a relative or one of priestly or princely dignity. Keeping our distance from the workers of iniquity bestows on us friendship with God and access to him.’ 1 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A young man who wished to renounce the world went off into the desert. Seeing a tower, or rather a cell built in the form of a tower, he said to himself: “Whoever I find in the tower, I will serve him until death.” He arrived and knocked. Out there came an elder, a monk who said to him: “What do you want?” “I came for the purpose of prayer,” he replied. Taking him in and entertaining him, the elder said to him: “Have you nothing to do anywhere else?”

He said: “No; this is where I want to stay,” and when the elder heard this, he left him: for the elder had fallen into *porneia*; he had a woman there with him. So, he said to the brother: “If you want to reap any benefit, get yourself into a monastery, for I have a woman.”

The brother said: “It is immaterial to me whether she is wife or sister; I will still serve you until death.”

Some time went by and the brother performed all the duties of a servant without the least question or complaint. Then [the monk and the woman] said to each other: “Are we not carrying a sufficient weight of sin as it is, without taking on the responsibility for this man’s soul? Let us get away from this place and leave him the cell.”

They took as much as they could of their belongings and said to the brother: “We are going away to pray; do look after the cell for us.”

When they had gone a little way off, the brother realized what was their intent and went running after them. When they saw him, they were troubled and they said: “How much longer are you going to condemn us? You have the cell; stay there and look to your own welfare.”

But he said: “I did not come for the cell, but to serve you.”

So, their consciences troubled them when they heard this; they came to the conclusion that they should repent before God. For her part, the woman went to a monastery whilst the elder returned to his own cell: thus, were they both saved by the patience of the brother.

1 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A young man who wished to renounce the world went off into the desert. Seeing a tower, or rather a cell built in the form of a tower, he said to himself: “Whoever I find in the tower, I will serve him until death.” He arrived and knocked. Out there came an elder, a monk who said to him: “What do you want?” “I came for the purpose of prayer,” he replied. Taking him in and entertaining him, the elder said to him: “Have you nothing to do anywhere else?” He said: “No; this is where I want to stay,” and when the elder heard this, he left him: for the elder had fallen into *porneia*; he had a woman there with him. So, he said to the brother: “If you want to reap any benefit, get yourself into a monastery, for I have a woman.” The brother said: “It is immaterial to me whether she is wife or sister; I will still serve you until death.” Some time went by and the brother performed all the duties of a servant without the least question or complaint. Then [the monk and the woman] said to each other: “Are we not carrying a sufficient weight of sin as it is, without taking on the responsibility for this man’s soul? Let us get away from this place and leave him the cell.” They took as much as they could of their belongings and said to the brother: “We are going away to pray; do look after the cell for us.” When they had gone a little way off, the brother realized what was their intent and went running after them. When they saw him, they were troubled and they said: “How much longer are you going to condemn us? You have the cell; stay there and look to your own welfare.” But he said: “I did not come for the cell, but to serve you.” So, their consciences troubled them when they heard this; they came to the conclusion that they should repent before God. For her part, the woman went to a monastery whilst the elder returned to his own cell: thus, were they both saved by the patience of the brother.

2 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: “It is better to live with three who fear the Lord than with 10,000 who have no fear of God.” 3 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

For all will turn aside in their love of dining and gluttony, their love of power and love of money. Hence: “Many are called but few are chosen”.’ [Mt 22:14]

The same [elder] said: ‘If you are staying somewhere and you see some folk living comfortably, do not have anything to do with them. But if there be another person who is poor, have to do with him as long as he has no bread and you shall experience repose.’

Do you see that the elder, being a spiritual entity, was not unaware of the law of the spirit, even though he had slipped and fallen into sin as a man? Thus he did not definitively turn away the brother who came to him, even though he had no wish to admit another person to the house. But after declining for a short time, when he saw that he was not content to go away, he received him against his will, as though he were impelled to do so by God. For he was afraid of offending the God who had moved the brother [in his direction] and who said: ‘He who comes to me I will in no wise cast out.’ [Jn 6:37] Likewise, after the brother had patiently remained there for some time and had unhesitatingly served him, because of this, he did not dare to send him away. He chose to abandon the cell himself rather than send away unjustly him who had come and remained [there] by the divine Providence which had also placed the conviction in him that [the elder] had deceitfully fled. May we too unwaveringly keep this rule.

Jai Ramakrishna

4 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘At first when the monk renounces the world the demons are not permitted to test him with violence lest, terrified and alarmed by the situation, he promptly returns to the world.

3 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Some brothers asked one of the fathers: “How is it that the soul does not hasten towards the promises of God that are promised in the Scriptures but inclines towards the unclean?”

“I say that it has not yet tasted the heavenly [things] and for that reason it longs for the unclean ones,” the elder replied.

A brother asked an elder: “How is it that they who spend their lives in the world do not fall, they who are negligent of fasts, despise prayer, absent themselves from vigils, filling themselves with all kinds of food, doing just what they want to in giving and receiving, devouring each other, passing the greater part of the day in swearing and perjuring themselves? They neither say: ‘We have sinned’ nor do they exclude themselves from communion. Whereas we monks, ever committed to fasts, vigils, sleeping on the bare earth, and a dry diet, deprived of all physical repose, mourn and lament saying: ‘We are lost and liable for fall’.”

With a sigh the elder said: “You are right to say that the worldlings do not fall, brother. They fall once headlong and grievous is that fall. Neither can they rise again nor have they anywhere from which to fall. In their so great ignorance they are not even aware that they have fallen at first fall. Why should the devil trouble himself to wrestle with those who are always lying on the ground? Monks, on the other hand, in open opposition to the enemy, ever fight against him: wherefore sometimes they are victorious, sometimes vanquished. They make no end of falling and getting up, attacking and being attacked, striking and being struck — until they prevail over him by the grace of God, rendering him impotent and debilitated within themselves. Then, being completely at peace with God, continually enjoying his calm and joy within [themselves], they experience peace and repose.”

'Jai Ramakrishna 04/06/2025'

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘At first when the monk renounces the world the demons are not permitted to test him with violence lest, terrified and alarmed by the situation, he promptly returns to the world. But as with time and effort the monk makes progress, then they unleash against him the conflicts with fleshly desires and the other delights; then soon after with anger, hatred, and other passions. Then must a man humble himself and lament, judging and blaming himself alone. In this way he learns patience, experience, discernment through temptations; and then he takes refuge in God with tears. Some, however, disturbed by the situation and overcome by unbearable sorrow, were borne down into the abyss of despair and returned to the world in their hearts, some in the body. But let us, brothers, never despair or be faint-hearted; let us patiently endure temptations with courage and long suffering, giving thanks to God for everything that happens to us; for giving thanks to God undoes every machination of the enemy. He who has pitch on his hands can only get them clean with oil. So too we who are sullied by sin are made clean again by the mercy and the loving kindness of our Saviour Jesus Christ. So let us approach him in every temptation and fervently call upon his aid, giving thanks in all things. Then shall we see the enemy easily defeated, becoming debilitated and powerless with regard to us.’

Abba Isaiah said: ‘We need humble-mindedness before all else, always being ready to say: “Forgive me” in response to any word we hear or deed, for all the devices of the adversary are destroyed by humble-mindedness.’

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Poemen also said: ‘By no means is the soul humbled unless you reduce its food [intake] or restrict it to feeding only when necessary.’

A brother asked an elder: ‘To what extent ought one to fast?’ And the elder said: ‘No more than is stipulated. There are many who want to go beyond that but in the event, were not strong enough to complete even a little.’

An elder said: ‘When you sit down to eat, conquer the demon of gluttony by restraint and hold him back, saying to him: “Just wait: you will not be hungry.” Then eat slowly; and the more that one goads you on, eat yet more evenly; for he does goad a person into wanting to eat everything at one time.’

An elder said: ‘A little wormwood spoils a pot of honey and one physical sin distances one from the Kingdom of Heaven, sending him off towards the Gehenna of fire. O humble monk, flee from physical sin as though from fire, lest you be burned up by it.’

A brother embattled by porneia reproved the demon, saying: ‘Get away into darkness, Satan; or are you not aware that, unworthy though I be, I bear the members of Christ?’ And the burning was stilled at once like when one blows out a lamp. Amazed at this in his inner self he glorified the Lord. If the spirit of porneia troubles you when you are at work, do not hesitate to stretch out your hands in prayer and, if it attacks you with more intensity, stand up and bend your knee in prayer and the prayer [offered in] faith will go into battle on your behalf.

'Jai Ramakrishna 06/06/2025'

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder recounted that in the time of Isidore the Great, the priest of Scete, there was a brother who was a deacon. On account of his outstanding virtue, they made him a priest so he could succeed him after his death; but he was so devout he did not accept ordination and remained a deacon. Now, by the machination of the enemy, one of the elders was envious of him. So, when everybody was in church for the synaxis, that elder went and put his own book in the cell of the deacon. Then he came and reported to Abba Isidore: “One of the brothers stole my book.”

Abba Isidore was amazed; “Never has anything like this happened at Scete,” he said. The elder who had placed the book said to the priest: “Send two of the fathers with me to search the cells.”

So off they went and first they examined the others’ cells; then they came to the deacon’s cell, found that very book, and brought it to the priest in the church. In the presence and the hearing of the deacon, they reported where they had found it. He prostrated himself to Abba Isidore before all the company, saying: “I have sinned; give me a penance,” and he gave him a penance: not to receive communion for three weeks. When the brother came to the synaxis, he stood before the congregation and fell down before all the company, saying: “Forgive me for I have sinned.”

After three weeks, he was received back into communion, and straightaway the elder who had falsely accused him was possessed of a demon. He began to confess, crying out and saying: “I falsely accused the servant of God.” Although there was prayer for him on the part of the whole church, he was not healed. Then Isidore the Great said before all the brothers: “Pray for him; you were falsely accused, and he is not going to be healed except through you,” and when he prayed, the elder promptly became whole.

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: “Do not entertain an accusation against your brother in your heart about anything whatsoever.”

Abba John Colobos said: “There is no other virtue like not belittling.”

The blessed Syncletica said: “Let the one who is standing up see that he not fall, while the fallen one has one concern: to get up. The one who is standing should be on his guard against falling, for there are different kinds of false steps. The fallen one is deprived of standing, but he who is lying down was not hurt much. Let not the one who is standing be disparaged, lest when he falls, he be brought into a deeper abyss and be completely lost. For his crying is overcome and concealed by the depth of the abyss, so that he cannot even ask for aid, as the great David says: ‘Let not the abyss devour me nor the well close its mouth upon me.’ The one who fell first survived. Do you make sure you do not fall and become food for wild beasts. The fallen one does not make the door safe, but for your part, do you not be dozing off at all but be forever singing that divine phrase which says: ‘Enlighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death.’”

Abba Isaiah said: “If an occasion comes upon you to judge your neighbour for some sin, first think to yourself that you are more of a sinner; then do not believe that the good things you are thinking of doing are pleasing to God — and you will not dare judge your neighbour.”

He also said: “Not to judge one’s neighbour and to belittle oneself is a way of attaining repose for the conscience.”

'Jai Ramakrishna 08/06/2025'

(DESERT WISDOM)

A brother who was in the desert practicing prayer in his cell, was severely coerced by accidie to come out of his cell. He said to himself: ‘Why are you in accidie, wretch, and wanting to come out of your cell? Is it not enough for you that, even though you do nothing good, you cause no offence or affliction to anybody? Think how many evils the Lord delivered you from. You do not speak stupidities, you do not hear what is inappropriate, you do not see damaging sights. You have one battle: against accidie and God is able to suppress it if you continually fall down before him in humility and with a broken heart, beseeching his assistance, for he knows your frailty in all things and he will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you can stand.’ As the brother said these and similar things to himself, great comfort came upon him by the grace of God. He had this teaching from the holy fathers who had grown old in the desert and enjoyed great familiarity with God through their spiritual discipline. An elder was asked: ‘Why do you never become faint-hearted?’ ‘Because each day I expect to die’, he replied. An elder said: ‘If some bodily sickness befall you, do not be discouraged; for if the Lord-and-master wishes that you be afflicted in body, who are you to complain? Does he not take care of you himself in all things? Could you live apart from him? So, be long-suffering and beseech him to grant you what is appropriate (that is his will); live patiently and eat what is freely given to you.’

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘Through apatheia the holy ones who have God within themselves inherit both what is here and what is there. And since both what is here and what is there belong to Christ, they who possess him possess what is his too. He who possesses the world (the passions that is) even if he possess the world, he possesses nothing but the passions which rule over him.’ A brother embattled by self-conceit said: ‘You have already accomplished the virtues, soul’, but wishing to vanquish that the brother put his hand under a cauldron that was being heated, saying to himself: ‘See, you are being burnt; so no more boasting! The three children who were not burnt in the midst of the flames were not elated in their hearts; they were singing hymns to God in great humility in the midst of the furnace. With a broken soul and in a spirit of humility they were saying: “May we be accepted into your presence.” And do you have a high opinion of yourself, standing here at your ease?’ In this way, he vanquished the demon of arrogance. A brother asked one of the fathers about the logismos of blasphemy: Abba, my soul is afflicted by the demon of blasphemy. Take pity on me and tell me where it has come from and what I am to do.’ The elder replied: ‘A logismos like that comes upon us from back-biting, belittling, and passing judgment; even more so from arrogance and a person doing his own will and being neglectful of his prayers; from getting angry and enraged, all of which are symptoms of arrogance. It leads us towards the above-mentioned passions and from them the logismos of blasphemy is generated. And if that lingers in the soul for long, the demon of blasphemy hands the person over to the demon of porneia which often brings him to lose his senses.’

4 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘At first when the monk renounces the world the demons are not permitted to test him with violence lest, terrified and alarmed by the situation, he promptly returns to the world.

But as with time and effort the monk makes progress, then they unleash against him the conflicts with fleshly desires and the other delights; then soon after with anger, hatred, and other passions.

Then must a man humble himself and lament, judging and blaming himself alone. In this way he learns patience, experience, discernment through temptations; and then he takes refuge in God with tears.

Some, however, disturbed by the situation and overcome by unbearable sorrow, were borne down into the abyss of despair and returned to the world in their hearts, some in the body.

But let us, brothers, never despair or be faint-hearted; let us patiently endure

temptations with courage and long suffering, giving thanks to God for everything that happens to us; for giving thanks to God undoes every machination of the enemy.

He who has pitch on his hands can only get them clean with oil. So too we who are sullied by sin are made clean again by the mercy and the loving kindness of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

So let us approach him in every temptation and fervently call upon his aid, giving thanks in all things. Then shall we see the enemy easily defeated, becoming debilitated and powerless with regard to us.’

Abba Isaiah said: ‘We need humble-mindedness before all else, always being ready to say: “Forgive me” in response to any word we hear or deed, for all the devices of the adversary are destroyed by humble- mindedness.’

5 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

Abba Poemen also said: ‘By no means is the soul humbled unless you reduce its food [intake] or restrict it to feeding only when necessary.’

A brother asked an elder: ‘To what extent ought one to fast?’ And the elder said: ‘No more than is stipulated. There are many who want to go beyond that but in the event, were not strong enough to complete even a little.’

An elder said: ‘When you sit down to eat, conquer the demon of gluttony by restraint and hold him back, saying to him: “Just wait: you will not be hungry.” Then eat slowly; and the more that one goads you on, eat yet more evenly; for he does goad a person into wanting to eat everything at one time.’

An elder said: ‘A little wormwood spoils a pot of honey and one physical sin distances one from the Kingdom of Heaven, sending him off towards the Gehenna of fire. O humble monk, flee from physical sin as though from fire, lest you be burned up by it.’

A brother embattled by *porneia* reproved the demon, saying: ‘Get away into darkness, Satan; or are you not aware that, unworthy though I be, I bear the members of Christ?’ And the burning was stilled at once like when one blows out a lamp. Amazed at this in his inner self he glorified the Lord. If the spirit of *porneia* troubles you when you are at work, do not hesitate to stretch out your hands in prayer and, if it attacks you with more intensity, stand up and bend your knee in prayer and the prayer [offered in] faith will go into battle on your behalf.

6 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder recounted that in the time of Isidore the Great, the priest of Scete, there was a brother who was a deacon.

On account of his outstanding virtue made him a priest so he could succeed him after his death; but was so devout he did not accept ordination and remained a deacon.

Now by the machination of the enemy, one of the elders was envious of him. So, when everybody was in church for the synaxis, that elder went and put his own book in the cell of the deacon.

Then he came and reported to Abba Isidore: ‘One of the brothers stole my book.’

Abba Isidore was amazed; ‘Never has anything like this happened at Scete’, he said.

The elder who had placed the book said to the priest: ‘Send two of the fathers with me to search the cells.’

So off they went and first they examined the others’ cells; then they came to the deacon’s cell, found that very book and brought it to the priest in the church. In the presence and the hearing of the deacon they reported where they had found it.

He prostrated himself to Abba Isidore before all the company, saying: ‘I have sinned; give me a penance’, and he gave him a penance: not to receive communion for three weeks.

When the brother came to the synaxis, he stood before the congregation and fell down before all the company, saying: ‘Forgive me for I have sinned.’

After three weeks he was received back into communion and straightaway the elder who had falsely accused him was possessed of a demon.

He began to confess, crying out and saying: ‘I falsely accused the servant of God.’ Although there was prayer for him on the part of the whole church, he was not healed.

Then Isidore the Great said before all the brothers: ‘Pray for him; you were falsely accused and he is not going to be healed except through you’, and when he prayed the elder promptly became whole.

7 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder recounted that in the time of Isidore the Great, the priest of Scete, there was a brother who was a deacon. On account of his outstanding virtue made him a priest so he could succeed him after his death; but was so devout he did not accept ordination and remained a deacon. Now by the machination of the enemy, one of the elders was envious of him. So, when everybody was in church for the *synaxis*, that elder went and put his own book in the cell of the deacon. Then he came and reported to Abba Isidore: ‘One of the brothers stole my book.

6 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder recounted that in the time of Isidore the Great, the priest of Scete, there was a brother who was a deacon. On account of his outstanding virtue, they made him a priest so he could succeed him after his death; but he was so devout he did not accept ordination and remained a deacon. Now, by the machination of the enemy, one of the elders was envious of him. So, when everybody was in church for the synaxis, that elder went and put his own book in the cell of the deacon. Then he came and reported to Abba Isidore: ‘One of the brothers stole my book.’ Abba Isidore was amazed; ‘Never has anything like this happened at Scete’, he said. The elder who had placed the book said to the priest: ‘Send two of the fathers with me to search the cells.’ So off they went and first they examined the others’ cells; then they came to the deacon’s cell, found that very book and brought it to the priest in the church. In the presence and the hearing of the deacon they reported where they had found it. He prostrated himself to Abba Isidore before all the company, saying: ‘I have sinned; give me a penance’, and he gave him a penance: not to receive communion for three weeks. When the brother came to the synaxis, he stood before the congregation and fell down before all the company, saying: ‘Forgive me for I have sinned.’ After three weeks he was received back into communion and straightaway the elder who had falsely accused him was possessed of a demon. He began to confess, crying out and saying: ‘I falsely accused the servant of God.’ Although there was prayer for him on the part of the whole church, he was not healed. Then Isidore the Great said before all the brothers: ‘Pray for him; you were falsely accused and he is not going to be healed except through you’, and when he prayed the elder promptly became whole.

7 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘Do not entertain an accusation against your brother in your heart about anything whatsoever.’

Abba John Colobos said: ‘There is no other virtue like not belittling.’

The blessed Syncletica said: ‘Let the one who is standing up see that he not fall, while the fallen one has one concern: to get up. The one who is standing should be on his guard against falling for there are different kinds of false steps. The fallen one is deprived of standing but he who is lying down was not hurt much. Let not the one who is standing be disparaged, lest when he falls, he be brought into a deeper abyss and be completely lost.’

8 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A brother who was in the desert practicing prayer in his cell, was severely coerced by accidie to come out of his cell. He said to himself: “Why are you in accidie, wretch, and wanting to come out of your cell? Is it not enough for you that, even though you do nothing good, you cause no offence or affliction to anybody? Think how many evils the Lord delivered you from. You do not speak stupidities, you do not hear what is inappropriate, you do not see damaging sights. You have one battle: against accidie and God is able to suppress it if you continually fall down before him in humility and with a broken heart, beseeching his assistance, for he knows your frailty in all things and he will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you can stand.”

As the brother said these and similar things to himself, great comfort came upon him by the grace of God. He had this teaching from the holy fathers who had grown old in the desert and enjoyed great familiarity with God through their spiritual discipline.

An elder was asked: “Why do you never become faint-hearted?”

“Because each day I expect to die,” he replied.

An elder said: “If some bodily sickness befall you, do not be discouraged; for if the Lord-and-master wishes that you be afflicted in body, who are you to complain? Does he not take care of you himself in all things? Could you live apart from him? So, be long-suffering and beseech him to grant you what is appropriate (that is his will); live patiently and eat what is freely given to you.”

9 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

An elder said: ‘Through apatheia the holy ones who have God within themselves inherit both what is here and what is there.

And since both what is here and what is there belong to Christ, they who possess him possess what is his too.

He who possesses the world (the passions that is) even if he possess the world, he possesses nothing but the passions which rule over him.’

A brother embattled by self-conceit said: ‘You have already accomplished the virtues, soul’, but wishing to vanquish that the brother put his hand under a cauldron that was being heated, saying to himself: ‘See, you are being burnt; so no more boasting! The three children who were not burnt in the midst of the flames were not elated in their hearts; they were singing hymns to God in great humility in the midst of the furnace. With a broken soul and in a spirit of humility they were saying: “May we be accepted into your presence.”

And do you have a high opinion of yourself, standing here at your ease?’

In this way, he vanquished the demon of arrogance.

A brother asked one of the fathers about the logismos of blasphemy: Abba, my soul is afflicted by the demon of blasphemy. Take pity on me and tell me where it has come from and what I am to do.’

The elder replied: ‘A logismos like that comes upon us from back-biting, belittling, and passing judgment; even more so from arrogance and a person doing his own will and being neglectful of his prayers; from getting angry and enraged, all of which are symptoms of arrogance. leads us towards the above-mentioned passions and from them the logismos of blasphemy is generated. And if that lingers in the soul for long, the demon of blasphemy hands the person over to the demon of porneia which often brings him to lose his senses. And, if a man regain them not, he is lost.’

10 June 2025

(DESERT WISDOM)

A brother embattled by self-conceit said: “You have already accomplished the virtues, soul,” but wishing to vanquish that the brother put his hand under a cauldron that was being heated, saying to himself: “See, you are being burnt; so no more boasting! The three children who were not burnt in the midst of the flames were not elated in their hearts; they were singing hymns to God in great humility in the midst of the furnace. With a broken soul and in a spirit of humility they were saying: ‘May we be accepted into your presence.’ And do you have a high opinion of yourself, standing here at your ease?” In this way, he vanquished the demon of arrogance.

A brother asked one of the fathers about the *logismos* of blasphemy: “Abba, my soul is afflicted by the demon of blasphemy. Take pity on me and tell me where it has come from and what I am to do.” The elder replied: “A *logismos* like that comes upon us from back-biting, belittling, and passing judgment; even more so from arrogance and a person doing his own will and being neglectful of his prayers; from getting angry and enraged, all of which are symptoms of arrogance. This leads us towards the above-mentioned passions and from them the *logismos* of blasphemy is generated. And if that lingers in the soul for long, the demon of blasphemy hands the person over to the demon of *porneia* which often brings him to lose his senses. And, if a man regain them not, he is lost.”

An elder said: “If we cultivated humble-mindedness there would be in no need of instruction. All the terrible things happen on account of our elation. If the angel of Satan was given to the Apostle to check him to prevent him from being elated, how much more so will Satan himself be given to us who are elated to tread us down until we are humbled?”

A brother asked an elder: “How is it that some people see revelations and visions of angels?” And the elder said: “Blessed is he, my son, who sees his sins all the time because such a man is always alert. Some days ago, father, I saw a brother casting some demon out of another brother.” The brother said to him. “I have no wish to cast out demons or to cure illnesses,” the elder told him, “but I do wish (and I beseech God) that no demon enter me and that I cleanse myself of impurities—and here I am become great. For if one cleanse his heart of impure impulsions and unremittingly perform his service, he too will undoubtedly be considered worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven in company with the miracle-working fathers.”

An anchorite stayed in the remoter desert for 30 years, getting his food from one fruit-tree. Later, he began saying to himself: “It is in vain that you wasted your time each day for so many years. Here I am for so many years not eating anything other than the fruit of this tree and I have neither seen a revelation, nor done a miracle as did the fathers who were monks before me. I am getting away from here and going off to the world.” While he was thinking these things, an angel of the Lord presented himself to him and said: “What are you thinking?”—and he let the other know what he was turning over in his mind. Then the angel said to him: “And what kind of miracle do you want to perform more than the patient endurance and the courage which God has given you? Bear in mind who it is that has empowered you to persevere for so many years in this place, nourished only by the fruit tree. So, stay on and ask God to furnish you with humility.” Fortified by the angel he persevered there for the rest of his life.

There was an elder in Egypt who was always saying: “There is no other way shorter than humility.”

11 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that a man will surely attain God if he possesses in an intense degree three kinds of love—the love a chaste wife feels toward her husband, the attraction the worldly man feels toward the world, and the attachment the miser feels toward his hoarded wealth. This means that the mind must be one-pointed and completely free of all desires but the desire to know and love God.

Sri Krishna says in the Gita:

> Lay down all duties

> In me, your refuge.

> Fear no longer,

> For I will save you

> From sin and from bondage.

Surrender yourself wholeheartedly to God. Take refuge in him. Pray constantly with a pure, sincere heart: “O Lord, I do not know what is good and what is bad for me. I am entirely dependent on you. Grant me what I most need for the spiritual life. Take me along the path which will lead me to the greatest good. Give me the faith and strength constantly to remember you and meditate on you.”

It is no easy thing to dedicate oneself heart and soul to the Lord. Many people boast: “I have surrendered myself and my all to God. I do only what he tells me to do.” But if we observe their lives we see differently. For the good they do they claim the credit and they boast of their achievements; but when adversity or trouble overtakes them, they cry out against the Lord and blame him for their misfortunes.

We judge men by their actions, but God looks into their innermost minds. Be sure of this: God runs to him who prays with a sincere heart. Be pure in heart and always make your thoughts and lips one.

12 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Only one in a million sincerely longs for God, and few sustain that longing. Therefore, you must try to intensify that longing. Whatever you do, whether you are sitting, or lying down, or eating, or working, pray constantly: “O Lord, make me able to understand and receive that grace which I know you are ready to give me.”

Know that your time on earth is but short, and that your real home is at the lotus feet of the Lord. In his folly man will deny the very existence of God because of his own lack of comprehension. He prefers to rely upon his own intellect, little realizing how unstable that intellect is. Even though what he accepts as true today he rejects as false tomorrow, yet he thinks that what appears as true to himself today is the final truth and must be accepted by all.

The Lord alone knows all the subtle ways by which a man may be deluded. One who has known God does not limit him. To him, God is not a matter of opinion: God is. He is boundless love and infinite mercy. He is beyond the grasp of the intellect. He who has realized God understands his mysteries. For him there is nothing hidden. The gates of knowledge are open, and he knows that he belongs to God even as God belongs to him.

Intelligence is but another name for ignorance, because its area is limited. Therefore, if a man wants to attain all knowledge and understand all mysteries, let him devote himself to the knowledge of God. As children swing around a pillar in their play, holding tightly to it for their support, so must you hold fast to God—the Pillar of life. Whichever path you follow, whether it be the path of work, or of devotion, or of knowledge, you will reach him. Hold fast to the Pillar, and your life will be blessed, and you in turn will become a blessing to mankind.

13 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Maharaj, is initiation necessary?

A: Yes! Initiation is very important. With the aid of a mantram it is easier to practice concentration of the mind on one Chosen Ideal of God. Without the mantram the mind wanders from one conception of God to another and never succeeds in concentrating upon any. And without achieving perfect concentration nothing can be accomplished in the spiritual life. Therefore, the aid of a guru is very necessary. He helps the disciple to choose his own Ideal, according to his temperament, and then gives the mantram best suited to the attainment of concentration on that Ideal. With unwavering faith in the words of the guru, the disciple must regularly practice repetition of the mantram and meditation on its meaning. Thus, will he find peace of heart. The path of spirituality is hard to follow. No matter how clever or how intelligent a man may be, without the aid of an illumined guide he is sure to stumble on the way.

Q: Maharaj, I have been practicing spiritual disciplines, but yet I have acquired no taste for them. What shall I do?

A: The taste for spiritual life cannot be had all at once. No! One must struggle hard for it. All our energies must be concentrated toward that one achievement; they must not be wasted in any other direction. Onward, onward! Never be satisfied with your present state of growth. Try to create a burning dissatisfaction within yourself. Ask yourself, “What progress am I making? None!” and apply yourself ever more diligently to the task. Sri Ramakrishna used to cry out at the close of each day: “O Mother, another day has gone, and I have not seen you!” Every night before you go to sleep, think for a while how much time you have spent in doing good deeds and how much time you have wasted; how much time you have spent in meditation and how much you have wasted in idleness. Make your mind strong through the observance of continence and the practice of meditation.

14 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna used to cry out at the close of each day: “O Mother, another day has gone, and I have not seen you!” Every night before you go to sleep, think for a while how much time you have spent in doing good deeds and how much time you have wasted; how much time you have spent in meditation and how much you have wasted in idleness. Make your mind strong through the observance of continence and the practice of meditation.

You cannot buy God. His vision comes only through his grace. Does this mean that you should not practice spiritual disciplines? Certainly, you must practice, otherwise passions will create havoc in you. A rich man employs a porter whose duty it is to see that neither thieves, nor cows, nor sheep, nor any other intruder enter the compound. Man’s mind is his porter, and the stronger the mind becomes, the better. The mind has also been likened to a restive horse. Such a horse may carry its rider along the wrong path, and only he who can hold the reins and check the horse can keep to the right path. Struggle on! Do you think that everything is achieved merely by wearing the gerua cloth, or by the renunciation of hearth and home? What spiritual experiences have you had?

Time is flying. Waste no more time, for at most you have only another three or four years in which to struggle intensively. After that your body and mind will grow weak and infirm and your efforts will be limited. What can be achieved without diligence? You may think: “Let us have yearning, faith, and devotion first, then we shall begin our spiritual practices.” But is that possible? Can we see the day before the break of dawn? When the Lord comes, love, devotion, and faith follow him as his retinue. Nothing can be achieved without spiritual discipline. Have you not seen what severe disciplines even the avatars underwent? Has anything been gained without labour? What tremendous austerities were practiced by Buddha, Shankara, and others! What burning renunciation!

15 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Real faith cannot be had at the beginning. First realization, then faith. At first the spiritual aspirant must pin his faith—blind faith, it may be—in the words of his guru or some great soul; only then can he advance toward the goal. Do you know Sri Ramakrishna’s parable of the oyster? The oyster floats about on the surface of the water with its shell wide open, waiting for a little drop of the Swati-rain (the rain which falls when the star Swati or Arcturus is in the ascendant). As soon as it gets the raindrop it dives down to the bottom of the sea and there forms a fine pearl. You, like the oyster, also have received the raindrop; you have the grace of your guru; now dive deep into the ocean of bliss and form the pearl — let God be revealed. Be self-reliant. Self-effort is absolutely necessary to success in the spiritual life. Follow some spiritual discipline for at least three years, and then, if you find you have made no tangible progress, you may come back and slap my face!

Japam and meditation are impossible unless you can transcend rajas and tamas and become established in sattwa. Before you can reach that transcendental plane from which there is no return you must transcend sattwa also. How blessed is this human birth! Man alone can find God. To realize him must be man’s only purpose. Strive hard to reach him and be free in this very life. The mind is to be raised, step by step, from the gross state to the subtle, then to the causal state, then higher still, to the Great Cause (Mahakarana) and finally to samadhi. Resign yourself utterly to the Lord. He is everything. There is nothing besides. “Verily all this is Brahman.” Everything is his and his alone.

16 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Never be calculating. Is self-surrender possible in a day? When that is achieved everything is achieved. One must struggle hard for it. Existence is eternal. The span of man’s life is at most a hundred years. Give up the pleasures of these hundred years if you want to enjoy eternal life and, with it, eternal bliss. In the beginning of spiritual life, it is very good to plan a definite routine. A certain length of time should be given to the practices of meditation, japam, and study. Whether you like it or not, follow your routine regularly. By so doing, you will gradually create a permanent habit. Perhaps now you do not enjoy meditating, but as you form the habit you will come to the point where you will actually feel unhappy if you do not meditate. When you reach this stage, you will know that you have advanced along the spiritual path. When a man is hungry or cannot sleep at night, he is restless and unhappy. When you can feel this same restlessness and unhappiness because you have not seen God, then know that God is very near. Reach the Immortal and find immortality. Then it will not matter where you are or what you are doing. Turn the iron into gold by the touch of the philosopher’s stone, then, whether you bury it or keep it in a neat box, it will not matter. It will always remain gold.

17 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Realize that you are one with Brahman, then do as you please.” By this he meant, first attain love and knowledge, realize God, then it does not matter how you live or what you do. One who has reached this state, however, can never take a false step.

Many are the obstacles to a godly life. Therefore, it is necessary to pray earnestly to the Lord to remove these obstacles. Yearn for his grace. Many are the worldly impressions already accumulated in your mind, and many are the impressions created in this life also. As you struggle against them, they will seem to grow stronger, so that he alone truly conquers them who never loses sight of the ideal and never gives up the struggle.

Within each one of us there are two currents flowing. One carries us toward God and the other carries us toward the world. One current takes you along the path of renunciation to God; the other tries to pull you toward worldly enjoyments. We must choose between them. As a result of this choice, we become either gods or brutes.

The tempting objects of the world lie before man’s eyes in all their glittering and delusive splendour, so that he feels no need even to consider the probability of anything higher or grander. He may hear about the higher ideal of life, but he rationalizes by asking himself what guarantee there is that God can be known, or that a greater joy can be reached. He sees no reason why he should give up today’s pleasure for tomorrow’s promise. Thinking thus, he jumps farther into the fire, until, burned and frustrated, he realizes his folly. Then he longs for peace, but often the longing comes too late. So enslaved has his mind become, that, even though he may earnestly desire to change his ways, he is helpless to do so in this life.

Jai Ramakrishna 18 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Maharaj, you spoke of the practices of puja, meditation, continence, and study of the scriptures. What do you mean by puja?

A: Puja means both external ritualistic worship and mental worship. In ritualistic worship certain accessories are necessary. These are sometimes difficult to procure; therefore, the mental worship is more convenient for you. First worship the Chosen Ideal mentally with flowers, incense, etc., and then practice meditation and mental japam. In purely mental japam the mantram is repeated without moving the lips, but in ordinary japam the mantram is repeated silently with the movement of the lips. As you meditate on your Chosen Ideal, think of him as bright and effulgent, and that everything shines because of his light. Think of him as living and conscious. As you continue thus, the form of your Chosen Ideal will gradually melt into the formless, into the Infinite. Then will follow a vivid sense of the Living Presence, until, finally, the eye of wisdom will open and the Infinite will be directly perceived. Ah! that is another realm, far beyond this universe! After this experience the universe appears as nothing; the mind is dissolved and you experience savikalpa samadhi. This leads gradually to the realization of the nirvikalpa samadhi—absolute union with God. This experience is beyond all thought and speech; there is nothing to be seen, nothing to be heard. All is infinite silence! It is “beyond duality and nonduality.”

There are some who, having reached this state, look upon the body as an obstacle in the way of an unbroken spiritual experience, and cast it off, even while in samadhi. It is like breaking an earthen vessel. Sri Ramakrishna used to give the following illustration to explain this highest state of spiritual realization: imagine several vessels filled with water, with the sun reflected in each one. Break each vessel until only one remains, with the sun fully reflected in that one. Finally, you break even the last of the vessels, and what remains? The sun itself. Similarly, the self-luminous Brahman is reflected in the vessels of mind, senses, ego, etc. Break these vessels, one after another, and go beyond the physical consciousness, the subtle body, and the causal body, until you reach savikalpa samadhi, when you will see God. But here, even in this stage, the sense of separateness still remains, the last vessel is still to be broken. Break it, and what remains? Brahman and Brahman alone. Who is there left to see whom? Who to describe whom?

19 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Maharaj, some think of the Chosen Ideal as the all-pervading spirit. Is this also a form of meditation?

A: Yes, certainly. Everyone should practice this meditation, but not at the beginning. This should be done only after some progress in spiritual life has been made. The presence of God must be realized everywhere. He who is personal and has form is also impersonal and without form. He dwells in all beings.

Jai Ramakrishna 20 June 2025

He pervades land and water, hills and valleys, sky and stars—he pervades all things. The scriptures speak of service to the guru as a necessary means to spiritual realization. How far is this true? Service to the guru is necessary at the preliminary stage, but later the mind itself plays the part of the guru. The guru must not be looked upon as an ordinary human being. His physical body is the temple of God; if one can serve the guru with this idea always in mind, one acquires an intense love for him, which later develops into an intense love for God. Meditate upon the guru in the sahasrara and then merge the form into that of the Chosen Ideal. Sri Ramakrishna said very explicitly: “At the time of meditation the guru appears before the disciple in vision; he points to the disciple’s Chosen Ideal and says, ‘Look, there is your Chosen Ideal.’ Then he himself merges into the form of the Chosen Ideal.” Thus, there is really no difference between the guru and God. There are so many divine experiences. How can I tell you of them all? Follow the spiritual path earnestly and sincerely. Through religious practices the mind will become pure, and you will understand many truths. There is no limit to them. Lose yourself in God. Try to meditate within the shrine of your own heart. What that shrine is will be revealed to you as you continue the practice.

20 June 2025

If the aspirant finds even a little joy in meditation, he is at once encouraged to proceed; isn’t that so, Maharaj? True. But in the higher spiritual state there is neither joy nor sorrow, pain nor pleasure, existence nor non-existence. The joy that you speak of is only a help during the period of spiritual practices. A boat needs a favourable wind to reach its destination. But when it once arrives, it no longer matters whether the wind is favourable or not. Joy is like that favourable wind; it helps the aspirant along the spiritual path. Knowledge, the knower, and the object known — these three lose themselves in the Absolute; that is all the scriptures can tell us. What takes place after this, no one is able to describe. It is directly experienced only by one who practices meditation. Only God can know himself. Be a god, that you may know the infinite God. In that knowledge there is neither want nor fear. The very thought of such knowledge is uplifting. To live in God is pure joy. Some enlightened souls experience the one undivided Existence. Then they know that the seeming multiplicity of the universe is God’s divine play. They know that the infinite God is born as an avatar for his own divine sport. Once when Sri Krishna was dancing in ecstasy, one shepherdess said to another, “Look, my friend, the Truth of Vedanta is dancing!” Sri Krishna is the supreme Brahman. He is the infinite, changeless Spirit playing as man. Beyond this there is yet another deeper and fathomless spiritual experience.

20 June 2025

Well, how are you getting along with your spiritual practices? Not very well, Maharaj. I am very unhappy; my mind is so restless. I must have been born with some very evil tendencies which are now standing in the way of my spiritual practices. My boy, you must not talk like that. Try to practice japam at dead of night; if that is not possible, do it during the early hours of the morning. Perform purascharan. Waste no more of your valuable time. Lose yourself in prayer and meditation; otherwise, how can the door to spiritual truth be opened? The spiritual aspirant should eat very little food after sunset. Begin by taking three-fourths of your usual amount, then reduce the quantity to one half. In the beginning you may notice it, but the body will soon adjust itself and remain healthy and active.

18 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Maharaj, you spoke of the practices of puja, meditation, continence, and study of the scriptures. What do you mean by puja?

A: Puja means both external ritualistic worship and mental worship. In ritualistic worship certain accessories are necessary. These are sometimes difficult to procure; therefore, the mental worship is more convenient for you.

First worship the Chosen Ideal mentally with flowers, incense, etc., and then practice meditation and mental japam. In purely mental japam the mantram is repeated without moving the lips, but in ordinary japam the mantram is repeated silently with the movement of the lips.

As you meditate on your Chosen Ideal, think of him as bright and effulgent, and that everything shines because of his light. Think of him as living and conscious. As you continue thus, the form of your Chosen Ideal will gradually melt into the formless, into the Infinite. Then will follow a vivid sense of the Living Presence, until, finally, the eye of wisdom will open and the Infinite will be directly perceived.

Ah! that is another realm, far beyond this universe! After this experience the universe appears as nothing; the mind is dissolved and you experience savikalpa samadhi. This leads gradually to the realization of the nirvikalpa samadhi—absolute union with God.

This experience is beyond all thought and speech; there is nothing to be seen, nothing to be heard. All is infinite silence! It is “beyond duality and nonduality.”

There are some who, having reached this state, look upon the body as an obstacle in the way of an unbroken spiritual experience, and cast it off, even while in samadhi. It is like breaking an earthen vessel.

Sri Ramakrishna used to give the following illustration to explain this highest state of spiritual realization: imagine several vessels filled with water, with the sun reflected in each one. Break each vessel until only one remains, with the sun fully reflected in that one. Finally, you break even the last of the vessels, and what remains? The sun itself.

Similarly, the self-luminous Brahman is reflected in the vessels of mind, senses, ego, etc. Break these vessels, one after another, and go beyond the physical consciousness, the subtle body, and the causal body, until you reach savikalpa samadhi, when you will see God.

But here, even in this stage, the sense of separateness still remains, the last vessel is still to be broken. Break it, and what remains? Brahman and Brahman alone. Who is there left to see whom? Who to describe whom?

19 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Maharaj, some think of the Chosen Ideal as the all-pervading spirit. Is this also a form of meditation?

A: Yes, certainly. Everyone should practice this meditation, but not at the beginning. This should be done only after some progress in spiritual life has been made.

The presence of God must be realized everywhere. He who is personal and has form is also impersonal and without form. He dwells in all beings. He pervades land and water, hills and valleys, sky and stars—he pervades all things.

The scriptures speak of service to the guru as a necessary means to spiritual realization. How far is this true?

Service to the guru is necessary at the preliminary stage, but later the mind itself plays the part of the guru. The guru must not be looked upon as an ordinary human being. His physical body is the temple of God; if one can serve the guru with this idea always in mind, one acquires an intense love for him, which later develops into an intense love for God.

Meditate upon the guru in the sahasrara and then merge the form into that of the Chosen Ideal.

Sri Ramakrishna said very explicitly: “At the time of meditation the guru appears before the disciple in vision; he points to the disciple’s Chosen Ideal and says, ‘Look, there is your Chosen Ideal.’ Then he himself merges into the form of the Chosen Ideal.” Thus, there is really no difference between the guru and God.

There are so many divine experiences. How can I tell you of them all? Follow the spiritual path earnestly and sincerely. Through religious practices the mind will become pure, and you will understand many truths. There is no limit to them. Lose yourself in God. Try to meditate within the shrine of your own heart. What that shrine is will be revealed to you as you continue the practice.

20 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

If the aspirant finds even a little joy in meditation, he is at once encouraged to proceed; isn’t that so, Maharaj?

True. But in the higher spiritual state there is neither joy nor sorrow, pain nor pleasure, existence nor non-existence. The joy that you speak of is only a help during the period of spiritual practices.

A boat needs a favourable wind to reach its destination. But when it once arrives, it no longer matters whether the wind is favourable or not. Joy is like that favourable wind; it helps the aspirant along the spiritual path.

Knowledge, the knower, and the object known — these three lose themselves in the Absolute; that is all the scriptures can tell us. What takes place after this, no one is able to describe. It is directly experienced only by one who practices meditation. Only God can know himself. Be a god, that you may know the infinite God. In that knowledge there is neither want nor fear. The very thought of such knowledge is uplifting.

To live in God is pure joy. Some enlightened souls experience the one undivided Existence. Then they know that the seeming multiplicity of the universe is God’s divine play. They know that the infinite God is born as an avatar for his own divine sport.

Once when Sri Krishna was dancing in ecstasy, one shepherdess said to another, “Look, my friend, the Truth of Vedanta is dancing!”

Sri Krishna is the supreme Brahman. He is the infinite, changeless Spirit playing as man. Beyond this there is yet another deeper and fathomless spiritual experience.

Maharaj: Well, how are you getting along with your spiritual practices?

Not very well, Maharaj. l am very unhappy; my mind is so restless. I must have been born with some very evil tendencies which are now standing in the way of my spiritual practices.

My boy, you must not talk like that. Try to practice japam at dead of night; if that is not possible, do it during the early hours of the morning. Perform purascharan. Waste no more of your valuable time. Lose yourself in prayer and meditation; otherwise, how can the door to spiritual truth be opened?

The spiritual aspirant should, eat very little food after sunset. Begin by taking three-fourths of your usual amount, then reduce the quantity to one half. In the beginning you may notice it, but the body will soon adjust itself and remain healthy and active.

(Maharaj then referred to the days when he practiced spiritual disciplines in the company of his brother-disciples, when they took only one meal during the twenty-four hours.)

21 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Need of a Guru

The aspirant should first learn about the spiritual path from some great soul and then follow it methodically. If he proceeds haphazardly, he cannot make much progress, and if he gives up entirely, the effort to begin again will be twice as difficult. But no effort is wasted. Lust, greed, anger, all gradually leave a man who practices spiritual disciplines. Your mind at present is covered over by rajas and tamas. It must be made pure and subtle and raised to the state of sattva, then you will find joy in your practices, and will want to devote more time to them. Later, when the mind has attained perfect purity, you will have but one desire—to devote yourself to contemplation always. Because the mind is gross it runs after gross things, but as it becomes pure and subtle it will run after God—the pure consciousness. When the mind grows subtle, its power increases and the aspirant is immediately able to grasp the truth of God. When you sit for meditation first think of a divine, blissful form. This will bring a soothing effect upon your nerves; otherwise, meditation will be dry and tedious. Think of the form of your Chosen Ideal, smiling and full of bliss. Be up and doing! Waste no more time. The senses now are strong and must be kept under control. This is a difficult task, no doubt, but if you practice meditation continuously for seven or eight years you will find peace and bliss and enjoy the fruits of your practices. Even after one year of steady practice you will find some result. Many women disciples are making rapid progress. Should not you also strive for that? Women generally have greater results in less time because their faith is greater.

22 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Believe me, the Lord is always with you. Practice even a little, and he will extend his hand to help you. He will protect you from all miseries and unhappiness. How unbounded is his grace! How can I make you understand?

So far you have merely heard about these spiritual truths. Now realize them. 23 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The human guru is not always available, but as the aspirant goes on with his spiritual practices his power of comprehension increases, so that his mind is able to act as his guide. The mind is bound down by its attachment to the body, the senses, and the objects of sense. Thus, its energies run out through various channels and are wasted. Snap the bonds of attachment! Collect the scattered forces of the mind and direct them toward the one Reality. This is the great task of the spiritual aspirant. Concentrate the whole mind and direct it toward God until he becomes revealed. Now is the time for spiritual practices. You are young now. When you grow older the mind loses its vigor. Therefore, be up and doing! Begin your spiritual life this moment; direct your mind toward God either through japam, or through meditation, or through discrimination. Know that each of these means is equally effective. Take any one of them and drown yourself in the ocean of bliss. Ask no more questions. First do something and then ask questions!

Maharaj, is the kundalini awakened by the grace of the guru?

Through the grace of the guru everything can be had, even the knowledge of Brahman, but this grace is not easily obtained. You must work hard for it. Begin now. Devote yourself to spiritual disciplines; plunge into the very depth of your soul. To do this it is advisable to establish a definite routine for the practice of japam and meditation, and to follow it with unwavering tenacity, whether you like it or not.

Maharaj: How are you progressing with your spiritual practices?

Not very well, Maharaj! I find so little time for them. There is so much work to be done.

Nonsense! It is a mistake to think that you cannot meditate for lack of time. The real cause is restlessness of mind.

23 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The human guru is not always available, but as the aspirant goes on with his spiritual practices his power of comprehension increases, so that his mind is able to act as his guide.

The mind is bound down by its attachment to the body, the senses, and the objects of sense. Thus, its energies run out through various channels and are wasted. Snap the bonds of attachment! Collect the scattered forces of the mind and direct them toward the one Reality. This is the great task of the spiritual aspirant.

Concentrate the whole mind and direct it toward God until he becomes revealed. Now is the time for spiritual practices. You are young now. When you grow older the mind loses its vigor. Therefore, be up and doing! Begin your spiritual life this moment; direct your mind toward God either through japam, or through meditation, or through discrimination. Know that each of these means is equally effective. Take any one of them and drown yourself in the ocean of bliss. Ask no more questions. First do something and then ask questions!

Maharaj, is the kundalini awakened by the grace of the guru?

Through the grace of the guru everything can be had, even the knowledge of Brahman, but this grace is not easily obtained. You must work hard for it. Begin now. Devote yourself to spiritual disciplines; plunge into the very depth of your soul. To do this it is advisable to establish a definite routine for the practice of japam and meditation, and to follow it with unwavering tenacity, whether you like it or not.

Maharaj: How are you progressing with your spiritual practices?

Not very well, Maharaj! I find so little time for them. There is so much work to be done.

Nonsense! It is a mistake to think that you cannot meditate for lack of time. The real cause is restlessness of mind.

24 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

For five or six years, after the passing away of our Master, we led a wandering life. Then, one day Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) called me aside and said: “There is nothing in this wandering life. Work for the sake of the Lord.”

We worked hard in those days, but it did us no harm; rather, it did us good. We had great faith in Swamiji’s words. I tell you, you must have infinite faith in these two great souls, Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji, and work for them. Work and worship must be harmonized. This at first may seem difficult, but one must try again and again. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “The new-born calf tries to stand up, but it falls down many times. Still, it never gives up; finally, after repeated efforts, it is not only able to stand, but it learns to run also.”

It is excellent training for the mind to take up some form of work at the beginning of the spiritual life. When the mind is trained it can be applied to meditation and other spiritual practices. The mind that is allowed to drift at one time will drift at the time of meditation also. There comes a time when the spiritually advanced man wants to devote himself solely to meditation and prayer. When that time comes, work drops away from him of itself. However, this happens only when the mind is spiritually awakened. If one who is not thus awakened should attempt to lead a life of exclusive spiritual practice by sheer effort of the will, it can last only for a few days; then comes monotony, sometimes followed by madness. Again, there are others, who follow the spiritual path in a haphazard way and at the same time keep their minds busy with worldly things. That is not good.

25 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Great strength can be acquired through the practice of continence. A true celibate can do the work of twenty-five men. Practice continence, japam, and meditation, and seek the company of the holy. Not all men know what is best for them; therefore, they should seek the society of holy men. Unless a man spends some time in solitude or in the company of the holy, he cannot understand his own mind. It is very difficult to grow spiritually in the midst of tumult and confusion. I give freedom to all. I want everyone to advance along his own way, but when I find a devotee who is unable to do this, I come to his aid. Life, eternal life, is before you! What matters it, if you devote a few lives to the service of God, even supposing they are spent in vain? But I tell you, this cannot be. You will see for yourself to what great spiritual heights you will soar through the grace of Sri Ramakrishna. Give up this easy-going life, otherwise it will be impossible for you to perform your spiritual practices properly. No matter what work you do, do it with your whole heart. That is the secret of work, as Swamiji used to say. Set yourself to work for the Lord, and before you begin any task remember the Lord and offer your salutations to him. Do this from time to time while you are working, and also when you have finished. Spend all your time thinking of the life, teachings, and commandments of Sri Ramakrishna. Know in your heart that the work you are doing you are doing for him. Strive to attain tranquillity. Do not give way to inertia but struggle to gain spiritual calmness. If you allow your mind to wander and lead a purposeless life, a bad reaction is bound to follow. Passions will overcome you. Through the practice of japam and meditation the senses are controlled of themselves. But in the beginning, they must be kept in check.

26 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Practice japam and meditation. Gradually, after continued practice, you will enjoy sitting for long periods of time absorbed in God. The beginner, however, should start with short periods at a time, four or five times a day. Practice japam, whether you like it or not. As you persist, the mind is certain to become absorbed in contemplation. To attain spiritual tranquillity, you must keep up a regular practice, even against your inclinations. Spiritual awakening is bound to come, and when it does, all the passions that ever existed in you will be forgotten.

Why do I insist that you devote yourselves heart and soul to the Lord? When we were your age, Sri Ramakrishna kept careful watch over our spiritual practices. In youth the mind is like unbaked clay and can be moulded into any shape. Your minds are still young and pure; they have not been baked in the fire of worldliness; therefore, they can be easily directed toward God. If the mind is moulded now, you will achieve your purpose; you will not be troubled by distractions.

The mind is like a package of mustard seeds. If the seeds are once scattered, it is difficult to gather them up again. Likewise, when the energies of the mind have been scattered, as one grows older it is very difficult to collect them and turn the mind toward God.

Make God the be-all and end-all of your life. Devote yourself sincerely to realizing him, and you will be free from all sorrow and pain. You will inherit eternal happiness. Man seeks happiness in the world, but does he find it? In his mad pursuit he toils hard and runs hither and thither after many objects, only to find shadows after all. His life ebbs: he dies in vain. Leave these fleeting pleasures of the world behind you; give your mind to God, be devoted to him, and you will find real happiness.

Devote your mind to the world and to the pleasures of the world, and great will be your suffering; devote your mind to God, and great will be your joy. No matter what riches you may possess, no matter what prospects you may have for living a happy and prosperous life, you still will not find lasting happiness. Pain follows pleasure, and every action brings its own reaction. Nothing lasts, but the one true happiness which is to be found in God.

You are boys—young boys. Your minds have not yet received any worldly impressions. If you can struggle now, you will be able to escape life’s sorrows and miseries.

27 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Likewise, when the energies of the mind have been scattered, as one grows older it is very difficult to collect them and turn the mind toward God. Make God the be-all and end-all of your life. Devote yourself sincerely to realizing him, and you will be free from all sorrow and pain. You will inherit eternal happiness. Man seeks happiness in the world, but does he find it? In his mad pursuit he toils hard and runs hither and thither after many objects, only to find shadows after all. His life ebbs: he dies in vain. Leave these fleeting pleasures of the world behind you; give your mind to God, be devoted to him, and you will find real happiness. Devote your mind to the world and to the pleasures of the world, and great will be your suffering; devote your mind to God, and great will be your joy. No matter what riches you may possess, no matter what prospects you may have for living a happy and prosperous life, you still will not find lasting happiness. Pain follows pleasure, and every action brings its own reaction. Nothing lasts, but the one true happiness which is to be found in God. You are boys—young boys. Your minds have not yet received any worldly impressions. If you can struggle now, you will be able to escape life’s sorrows and miseries.

28 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Oh, how inexpressible is that joy! How boundless that bliss! Only he can know who has had that experience, compared to which all worldly pleasures seem insipid and worthless.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “He who has given up sense-enjoyments for God’s sake has already covered three parts of the journey.” Is it easy to renounce bodily cravings? Only if one has God’s grace and has practiced severe spiritual disciplines in past lives, can he have the strength to renounce the world in this life. Purify your mind so that no worldly desire can arise in it. You have renounced everything and pledged your life to God. But remember, it is very difficult to lead a pure and unsullied life. You may think it is easy, but let me tell you, it is like walking on the sharp edge of a razor. Perfect continence is the sole condition of success in spiritual life, but it is difficult, even impossible, to practice absolute purity without love and faith in God. The world is full of temptations which arouse passions; every day you will see ninety-nine percent of the people rushing in mad pursuit after sensual pleasures. Your mind is in constant danger of becoming contaminated; therefore, you must engage your mind in thinking good thoughts, studying good books, and discussing uplifting subjects. You must spend your time in worship of God, in service to holy men, and in contemplation. This is the only way to mould your character. First of all, be firm in your vow of chastity. Everything else will follow. You cannot live a continent life unless you devote yourself to God, and without continence realization of God is impossible. Unless you realize God, you will not find happiness, and without happiness life is vain. Therefore, I beg you, my dear children, struggle, make an effort, and soon you will find faith and devotion awakening within you. You will be blessed by the vision of God, and you will become the heirs of immortal bliss.

29 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, we have all come here to the monastery with the same ideal and purpose, renouncing our own hearth and home. Why is it then that we cannot live in harmony with one another?

My child, you must all learn to bear and forbear. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “He who forbears, lives!” Even people living in the world have to bear many things. The greatest strength of character is to live in harmony with all. No one can find peace if he hurts another. Never utter one word that would hurt another. “Tell the truth but never tell a harsh truth.”

Look at the many different kinds of people who come to me; some are good, some are bad, but I love them all equally. If I should drive away the weak and the depraved, where would they find refuge? If I pick the wool from a blanket, nothing will be left. It is easy to live in harmony with saints, but real strength lies in living in harmony with all beings. A young disciple decided that he would like to go away to some solitary place to practice austerities. With this intention he presented himself before Maharaj and asked his permission. When Maharaj heard of the boy’s intention, he became very anxious and said: “Go and ask Swami Shivananda to come here.”

The Swami came and seated himself beside Maharaj. Anxiously Maharaj said: “Look, brother, this boy wants to go away from here to practice austerities. I cannot understand why our boys’ minds work in this way. This place has been made holy by the exemplary life of the late Swami Ramakrishnananda. What a wonderful atmosphere he has created in this monastery. Where else could such a holy atmosphere be found? Why do they have to practice austerities? Have we not done all that for them? The trouble is, they do not know their own minds.”

30 June 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Turning to the disciple, Maharaj continued: “As long as you think ‘God is there,’ you will find no peace. When you know and can feel that he is here, here (pointing to his heart), you will find peace.”

What is the use of wandering about from place to place? Have you not seen hundreds of such wandering monks? And what have they achieved? Are you to become like them? Swamiji did not want you boys to be like these wandering monks. He founded this monastery toward one great end: and that is to realize God. Consider that and try to live your life and mold your character accordingly.

The spiritual practices of one single man are enough to make a monastery vibrate with holiness. Oh, what a wonderful spiritual atmosphere there was at the Dakshineswar temple when Sri Ramakrishna was living there! The moment our boat touched the steps of the landing stage we felt as if we had reached heaven itself! And what a wonderful love existed between us brother-disciples. Between you, there is no such sweet relationship.

A holy man should be sweet in temperament and should never speak harshly to anyone. Ah! I remember a holy man I once met at Brindaban. He was a regular visitor at the temple. For a few days he did not come, and I missed him. When he came again, I asked him the reason for his absence. He explained that he had had a sore foot. One day in the crowd the foot of another devotee had touched his and temporarily disabled him. I was deeply touched by the way that holy man explained the incident. He did not complain that he had been trampled upon by some careless person. To him every foot was the Lord’s foot, and the Lord had placed his foot upon him!

1 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Oh, what a wonderful spiritual atmosphere there was at the Dakshineswar temple when Sri Ramakrishna was living there! The moment our boat touched the steps of the landing stage we felt as if we had reached heaven itself! And what a wonderful love existed between us brother-disciples. Between you, there is no such sweet relationship. A holy man should be sweet in temperament and should never speak harshly to anyone. Ah! I remember a holy man I once met at Brindaban. He was a regular visitor at the temple. For a few days he did not come, and I missed him. When he came again, I asked him the reason for his absence. He explained that he had had a sore foot. One day in the crowd the foot of another devotee had touched his and temporarily disabled him. I was deeply touched by the way that holy man explained the incident. He did not complain that he had been trampled upon by some careless person. To him every foot was the Lord’s foot, and the Lord had placed his foot upon him!

If only you could all be sweet and have love in your hearts, then there would be great harmony. You must make the Lord the centre of all your affections. In this monastery you have so many opportunities to do Swamiji’s work; you cannot always meditate. You are young; this is the time to practice spiritual disciplines. What can you do when you are old? Develop love in your heart and you will achieve everything. You have become dry! Where is your early enthusiasm? You are quite satisfied with your present condition, but I tell you, do not remain satisfied with yourself as you are now. Contentment with the external conditions, yes, but never be contented with your state of spiritual growth. Become dissatisfied. Try to move ever onward in your search. Do not stop until you have found the diamond mine!

You have taken refuge in Sri Ramakrishna. You are young and pure. What infinite possibilities are before you. Why do you not try hard to follow our advice and learn to love and do the things we ask you to do? Learn to make your heart and your lips one and let not your mind deceive you. Swamiji’s ideal was, “Liberation for one’s self and service to mankind!” With one hand hold on to the feet of the Lord, and with the other do his work. FIRST OF ALL, the mind, which is the ruler of the senses, must be controlled. After that the mind and the intellect must be merged in the Atman. When you are in the society of holy men, you may think that your passions are dead, but do not be deceived. You are free of passions only after you have attained samadhi. Therefore, be always vigilant until you have transcended the mind.

2 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

God is. Religion is true. These truths are not preached merely to make men moral or to keep an orderly society. God truly is; he is the Reality and he can be realized. He is true. There is no greater truth than he. Be calm, tranquil, and self-controlled. Meditate four times regularly each day. The best times are early in the morning, at midday, at sunset, and at midnight. Be steadfast in your ideal even when the mind is restless. Keep up the regularity of your practices under all conditions. Study the Gita every day. By such study the mind can be cleansed of all unnecessary thoughts and anxieties. This I know from personal experience. Devote some time every day to self-analysis. Ask yourself: “Why have I come here? How am I passing my time? Do I really want God? Am I really struggling to find him?”

Man’s mind tries to deceive him, but he must not allow himself to be swayed by his mind; he must curb and rule it. Hold fast to the truth. Be pure-hearted. The purer you become the more will your mind be absorbed in God. You will be able to see the subtle deceptions of the mind, and you will be able to root them out. Who are your enemies? Your own senses. But if you can control them, they will become your friends. Your mind is your only enemy, and your mind is your only friend. The man who analyzes himself thus can wipe out the subtle deceptions of the mind, and by so doing move rapidly along the path of spirituality. Plunge yourself into the practice of japam and meditation. The mind is gross and feeds on gross objects, but as you practice japam and meditation, the mind will become subtle and learn to grasp subtle truths.

3 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Practice, practice, practice. Find out for yourself whether there is really a God. A little physical austerity also is good sometimes. For instance, on the day of the new moon, or on the eleventh day after the new or the full moon, eat only one meal. Never waste your time in unnecessary talk. Remember God constantly. Remember him when you eat, when you sit, when you lie down; remember him whatever you do. By such repeated practice you will find that, when you go to meditate, it will be easy to remember God and become absorbed in him. As your mind becomes absorbed in meditation, a fountain of joy will spring up within you. Give no time to idle cares or idle talk. Idle talk wastes much energy. In the Upanishads it is written: “Give up all vain talk.” Devote all your time to meditation upon the Atman. In the Gita Sri Krishna says:

Give me your whole heart,

Love and adore me,

Worship me always,

Bow to me only,

And you shall find me.*

And Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Never squander the energies of your mind.” This means, remember God constantly. The worldly man is very careful not to squander his money, but he gives little heed to how he squanders his mind. There is nothing greater nor easier than the constant remembrance of God. Such a practice awakens the kundalini; the veils of maya are removed one after another, and a new vision opens up. Then you will see the wonderful treasure that lies hidden within you. You will unfold your own divinity. As a rule, a man’s mind runs downward like a river — toward lust and gold, name and fame. Change the current and make the mind flow upward toward God.

4 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The mind of Sri Ramakrishna dwelt always on the transcendental plane. Only with much difficulty could he bring his mind down to normal consciousness and to the things of the world.

Japam — japam — japam! Even while you work, practice japam. Keep the name of the Lord spinning in the midst of all your activities. If you can do this, all the burning of the heart will be soothed.

Many sinners have become pure and free and divine by taking refuge in the name of God. Have intense faith in God and in his name; know that they are not different. He dwells in the hearts of his devotees.

Call on him earnestly. Pray to him: “Reveal your grace to me. Give me faith and devotion.” Pray earnestly. Make your mind and your lips one.

Cover everything with God. And, as you learn to see him everywhere, you will become “humbler than a blade of grass.”

See him in all creatures. Hear only of God and talk only of him. Shun that place where his name is not uttered as you would a graveyard.

Repeat his name and call upon him. He is very near, and he is dear to all. Why should he not reveal himself?

Open your heart to him. He will guide you along the right path. There is nothing more purifying than his name and meditation upon him. He is our very own. He easily becomes revealed to us.

5 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The mind of Sri Ramakrishna dwelt always on the transcendental plane. Only with much difficulty could he bring his mind down to normal consciousness and to the things of the world.

Japam—japam—japam! Even while you work, practice japam. Keep the name of the Lord spinning in the midst of all your activities. If you can do this, all the burning of the heart will be soothed. Many sinners have become pure and free and divine by taking refuge in the name of God.

Have intense faith in God and in his name; know that they are not different. He dwells in the hearts of his devotees. Call on him earnestly. Pray to him: “Reveal your grace to me. Give me faith and devotion.” Pray earnestly. Make your mind and your lips one. Cover everything with God. And, as you learn to see him everywhere, you will become “humbler than a blade of grass.”

See him in all creatures. Hear only of God and talk only of him. Shun that place where his name is not uttered as you would a graveyard. Repeat his name and call upon him. He is very near, and he is dear to all. Why should he not reveal himself?

Open your heart to him. He will guide you along the right path. There is nothing more purifying than his name and meditation upon him. He is our very own. He easily becomes revealed to us.

---

There is the path of devotion and there is the path of knowledge. A devotee likes the form of God. He calls upon him, he sings his praise, he chants his name and sees his shining form. Sometimes he weeps and sometimes he laughs. The followers of the path of knowledge seek for the Light, and they become illumined. However, one is not different from the other. In the end, the devotee and the man of knowledge become one.

Ignorance is destroyed by following the path of knowledge. The light of knowledge alone shines. What lies beyond the light of knowledge? He alone knows who goes beyond, none else. And no one can reveal that.

Have patience, infinite patience, until you reach the Reality. In the primary stage, meditation is tiresome—it is like learning the alphabet. Gradually, peace comes. There are boys who, after they have been initiated, complain to me that they are not getting anywhere. I do not listen to them for two or three years. Then later they come and tell me: “Yes, Maharaj, I am getting somewhere now.”

Do not be impatient. Struggle intensely for two or three years, and your heart will be flooded with joy.

Maharaj, we are university students and have come to you for spiritual advice.

Learn to speak the truth always and observe continence.

We have been practicing breathing exercises. Should we continue these practices?

No! Breathing exercises in themselves can be extremely dangerous. It is sufficient if you will repeat the name of the Lord. Through the practice of japam and meditation you will reach the stage of kumbhaka without risking the dangers which may easily come from the practice of breathing exercises. Practice japam, and your breathing will become finer and finer, and you will gain control of the vital energy in a natural way.

6 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

IT IS NOT AN EASY TASK to wholly surrender oneself, body, mind, and soul, to God. “How can I surrender myself to God? I have not known him nor seen him; therefore, how can I love him?” These are the doubts that arise in the mind. Once a man admitted to Sri Ramakrishna that he felt no inclination to meditate on God. The Master asked him whom or what he loved most in the world, and the man told him that he had a pet lamb which he loved very dearly. “All right!” said the Master, “That is very good! Every time you feed your lamb, every time you pet him or do anything for him, think that you are serving the Lord. If you can do this with wholehearted sincerity, you will reach the highest!”

Blessed are those who have received the grace of an illumined guru. The guru shows the way to the other shore and removes all the obstacles. Have intense faith in the words of the guru and follow his precepts faithfully. Thus, will the impurities of the mind be washed away and the light of knowledge dawn. Enlightenment comes quickly to one who has faith in the guru. But one must learn to see God in the guru. The guru must never be regarded as man. By worshiping him and serving him as God, the body and mind are purified. Through the help of the guru, God is first revealed, and then guru and God become one. Unless the heart and mind are pure the vision of God does not come. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “When a man finds an illumined guru, he is soon freed from the sense of ego, and he himself becomes illumined.”

7 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

But no man can free himself from the bonds of worldliness if he follows an ignorant teacher. There is suffering for both the disciple and the teacher. For how can he who is not illumined give illumination to another? How can he, who has not found God and received his command, who has not been strengthened by the strength of God, give strength and help to another? How can the blind lead the blind? Only a free soul can give freedom to another. If a man truly longs for God, if he sincerely desires to practice spiritual disciplines, he is bound to find an illumined guru. That disciple who has the grace of the guru knows the path. Let him follow it diligently. My boys, you have the grace of the guru. You have the desire for spiritual knowledge. By receiving the Lord’s name, you have received his grace, and you also have the society of the holy. Now you must strive to get the grace of your own mind. By gaining mastery over your own mind, you will, by its grace, realize the grace of God and the grace of the guru. The tendency of the lower mind is downward, toward worldliness. This tendency must somehow be controlled. Hold the reins tightly. As the expert trainer controls and trains the elephant, so must you learn to train and control your mind. Be its master. Let it not control you. Teach it to give up all craving for fleshly enjoyments. When the mind is once freed from craving it becomes your slave. That is why the ideal of renunciation is so highly extolled in the Gita and other scriptures.

8 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

God and the lust for worldly enjoyments cannot go together. To have one you have to let go the other. At the same time, it is not possible to entirely give up the lower pleasures unless you have tasted the joy of the higher. That is why I insist that you give your whole heart to God now, while you are young. Make him your own.

“God is my all in all.” Fix this truth firmly in your hearts, and the path will be easy. When once you taste the joy of the Lord, all other pleasures will become insipid. Dedicate your lives to him. Take refuge in him only and then let him do with you what he wills.

WITHIN EACH ONE OF US there is free will. This freedom of the will is in reality the freedom of the Atman within.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Awaken the power of that Self which is within you.”

After all, what is the meaning and purpose of spiritual practices and disciplines? It is to strengthen this will, the will to attain God in this very life. As the mind becomes purer, the will becomes stronger. It is downright laziness to relax this will and think that in some future time you will realize God.

Think of Buddha. What determination he had! After years of searching, he finally sat himself down under a tree, determined to realize God then and there or die in the attempt. That is what is needed.

I will tell you a secret. You may not fully understand its meaning now, but in time its truth will dawn upon you. And this truth is that every man’s will and mind lead him progressively toward good. Some are led along thorny paths and some are led along smooth paths, but all reach the same goal.

Knowing this, there are some illumined teachers who advocate the following spiritual discipline: Let go the mind and will; let them wander at random. But always keep vigilant watch. Be the witness. Thus, if the aspirant really lets go and still keeps constant watch, even though for a time the mind may run after filth and vanity in time it is bound to turn progressively toward Good.

9 July 2025

That is why I insist that you give your whole heart to God now, while you are young. Make him your own. “God is my all in all.” Fix this truth firmly in your hearts, and the path will be easy. When once you taste the joy of the Lord, all other pleasures will become insipid. Dedicate your lives to him. Take refuge in him only and then let him do with you what he wills.

Within each one of us there is free will. This freedom of the will is in reality the freedom of the Atman within. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Awaken the power of that Self which is within you.” After all, what is the meaning and purpose of spiritual practices and disciplines? It is to strengthen this will, the will to attain God in this very life. As the mind becomes purer, the will becomes stronger. It is downright laziness to relax this will and think that in some future time you will realize God. Think of Buddha. What determination he had! After years of searching, he finally sat himself down under a tree, determined to realize God then and there or die in the attempt. That is what is needed.

I will tell you a secret. You may not fully understand its meaning now, but in time its truth will dawn upon you. And this truth is that every man’s will and mind lead him progressively toward good. Some are led along thorny paths and some are led along smooth paths, but all reach the same goal. Knowing this, there are some illumined teachers who advocate the following spiritual discipline: Let go the mind and will; let them wander at random. But always keep vigilant watch. Be the witness. Thus, if the aspirant really lets go and still keeps constant watch, even though for a time the mind may run after filth and vanity in time it is bound to turn progressively toward Good.

Ah! Who can fathom the infinite moods of the infinite God? Whenever we try to express him through our mind and speech, we limit him. It is easy to do great deeds, the deeds that bring name and fame. But it is by his small, everyday actions that a man’s character is known. The true karma yogi does not work to gain publicity. No matter how insignificant his work may be, he throws himself wholeheartedly into the task, because, for him, his work has become worship of God. Everyone wants to do the work he best likes to do, but that is not the secret of work. Whatever work you do, whether you like it or not, know that it is the Lord’s work, and adjust yourself accordingly. Remember this, all work must be done as worship of God. Give three parts of your mind to God and apply the rest to your work. If you can do this, your work will indeed be worship, and your heart will be filled with joy.

Under no circumstances give up your spiritual practices. If you give up the practices of japam and meditation and engage yourself solely in work, egoism is bound to arise in you, and you will become the source of quarrels and disharmony. (Someone broke a bottle.) Maharaj continued: Ah! how careless you are! Where is your mind? With such a restless mind nothing can be accomplished. Learn to perform all duties, great or small, with a concentrated mind. He who can concentrate his mind in action can also concentrate when practicing meditation. This is the true secret of work: First learn to like your work, but do not look to the results. If you can perform every action as worship of the Lord, then only will you like to work and feel no attachment to the fruits of your actions. In the Gita, Sri Krishna says that it is possible to attain liberation through work only, but in order to achieve this one must have intense renunciation. All mental, physical, and spiritual energies must be concentrated. Then only can you reach God.

10 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Be active but keep the constant recollection of God. Faith! Without faith none can attain God. He who has true faith has certainly reached God. If you have faith in one penny it has value, but if you have no faith even in a gold piece, it has no value for you. He who has faith in God is freed from doubts. Without renunciation there can be no faith nor devotion. Renunciation is of the first importance; it destroys all ego. Pray to Sri Ramakrishna. He still lives. Pray to him: “You are mine and I am yours.” Merge yourself in his consciousness; he will show you the path. But Maharaj, do you mean to say that Sri Ramakrishna is still living? Of course he is living! Are you mad? If he were not living, why should we lead such a life, giving up our homes and all our possessions? He is. Ask to see and know him. Pour out your whole heart in prayer to him; he will remove all your doubts and show you his true nature. Do you see him, Maharaj? Yes! Through his grace I see him. Anyone can see him if he has his grace. But how many are there who love him? How many yearn to see him? It is not an easy matter to see God. Without a harmonious development of the mental, physical, and spiritual powers, religion is not possible. Faith, intense faith, is what is needed. He who has faith has everything. He who has no faith in God doubts everything. He who has faith in God overcomes all doubts. Without dispassion toward the world, faith and love do not grow. You must have dispassion. To lose the ego in God is dispassion.

11 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, when I sit down to meditate, I find that my mind wanders, and I think of many things. How am I to stop this restlessness? Just as the Ganges has its ebb and flow, so is there an ebb and flow in spiritual moods at the beginning. But later, as you continue, there will come an even flow of the mind toward God. Try diligently to check this mad outward rush of your mind. You can do this successfully if you do not try to meditate as soon as you sit down. First draw the mind back from its external pursuits by means of discrimination and lock it up inside, at the sacred feet of your Chosen Ideal. Then make Japa and meditate. If you try diligently to follow this course for some time, the mind will naturally cease to wander. The way of Japa is the easiest path to follow. By constantly performing Japa the mind can easily be made calm and steady, and finally it will lose itself in God. Therefore, I ask you to perform Japa regularly and often and at the same time meditate on the Chosen Ideal. This combined practice brings quick success. Always practice your disciplines with unswerving steadfastness and let not a single day pass without them. Whether you like it or not, sit down at the appointed hour every day. If you can continue your practices for three years with unerring regularity, I assure you that love for God will grow in you and you will feel yourself nearer to him. Then you will be prompted from within to call upon him and him only. Then you will not be able to turn your mind in any other direction. It is at this stage that the aspirant feels the joy of spiritual life within his heart.

12 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Without intense love for God, it is very difficult to practice spiritual disciplines in the right way, even after retiring into solitude. When you are alone, there is always a possibility of a downfall. Therefore, two of a similar type and temperament should live together, so that mutual help and guidance may be given should any spiritual crisis befall one or the other at any time. But, on the other hand, if there are more than two, confusion may arise. They may indulge in worldly talk. 13 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, how may one control the mind? Through gradual practice the mind must be concentrated upon God. Keep a sharp eye on the mind and see that no undesirable thoughts or distractions enter in. Whenever they try to crowd in, turn the mind toward God and pray earnestly. Through such practice the mind is brought under control and becomes purified. When you can feel and know that you are helpless and alone, that you have no other refuge but God; when you feel that you have nothing in life to look forward to, then only will devotion to God arise in you. Practice Japa unceasingly. Practice it with every breath. Practice it until it becomes your second nature; then you will find yourself chanting the name of God as you fall asleep and again as you awaken. Know for certain that God can be reached—that he can be seen and that it is possible to talk to him. Practice these spiritual disciplines, and as you practice new visions will open up—wonderful, beautiful visions. You may see many aspects of God and many spiritual forms. Or you may see an ocean of light or a steady flame. There is no end to this God-unfoldment, this knowledge of infinite Existence, infinite Bliss. Light, light, more light! Therefore, engage yourself in these practices. With great earnestness chant his name and dive deep.

13 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, how may one control the mind?

Through gradual practice the mind must be concentrated upon God. Keep a sharp eye on the mind and see that no undesirable thoughts or distractions enter in. Whenever they try to crowd in, turn the mind toward God and pray earnestly. Through such practice the mind is brought under control and becomes purified.

When you can feel and know that you are helpless and alone, that you have no other refuge but God; when you feel that you have nothing in life to look forward to, then only will devotion to God arise in you. Practice Japa unceasingly. Practice it with every breath. Practice it until it becomes your second nature; then you will find yourself chanting the name of God as you fall asleep and again as you awaken.

Know for certain that God can be reached—that he can be seen and that it is possible to talk to him. Practice these spiritual disciplines, and as you practice new visions will open up—wonderful, beautiful visions. You may see many aspects of God and many spiritual forms. Or you may see an ocean of light or a steady flame. There is no end to this God-unfoldment, this knowledge of infinite Existence, infinite Bliss. Light, light, more light! Therefore, engage yourself in these practices. With great earnestness chant his name and dive deep.

14 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Learn to acquire love and sympathy toward all. Overlook the faults of others. If you cannot help an evil man to become good, of what use is your spiritual life?

Learn patience. Anger is controlled through patience. Be patient, forbearing, and humble. Humility is a great aid in the building of character. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “He who can forbear, lives. He who cannot, is lost.” Again, he would say: “Water accumulates on low ground; when the ground is high it runs off.” In a humble man sweetness of character and other good qualities develop naturally.

Try to remember God constantly—even while you are working. In the beginning it is a little difficult, but through practice it becomes easy. Never give up struggling. Too many rules and regulations for spiritual life are no good. The main thing is sincerity and earnestness. If you have these qualities, your prayer will surely reach the Lord. God looks into the heart and not into the words of a man.

People talk of enjoying this world, but what do they know of enjoyment? First become a god and then enjoy. Before that, all so-called enjoyments are the enjoyments of a brute. If your mind has become pure and you live with pure thoughts, no evil can touch you.

Maharaj, there is the song, “I want to taste sugar but not to become sugar.” Should that be the attitude of a devotee?

“I want to taste sugar but not become sugar,” is for the man who has not yet tasted sugar. When a devotee begins to taste the sweetness of God, he will desire to achieve oneness with him.

'Jai Ramakrishna 15/07/2025'

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Are dreams about enlightened men or divine incarnations real?

Yes, they are real. Dreams about enlightened souls, gods and goddesses, and divine incarnations, are real experiences. They are actual visitations. Many spiritual truths are revealed to one in dreams. The effect and impression of such dreams remain. But one must not speak of them to anybody.

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

If you wish to do good to the world you must be perfectly selfless. Worldly people are such that often if you do them good they in turn will try to harm you. You have heard of the great soul Vidyasagar. He lived for the good of the world, and those who were benefited by him were the very ones who spoke ill of him and tried to harm him. If he learned that someone had spoken ill of him, he would say, “Have I done him any good that he does me this harm?” That is the nature of the world. But the truth of the matter is, those who are good will do good by their very nature, and those who are wicked will do harm by their very nature.

Once a holy man, seated on the bank of a river, was meditating. Suddenly he saw a scorpion floating on the water. He took pity on it and with the palm of his hand scooped it out of the water. But as he did so the scorpion stung him. The holy man suffered great pain. A few moments later the scorpion again fell into the water. The holy man again helped it out. Again the scorpion stung him. This happened a third time. Presently, a man who had been watching the whole thing asked: “Why do you help the scorpion when it stings you again and again?”

The holy man replied: “It is the nature of the scorpion to sting, and it is my nature to help. The scorpion does not give up its nature, why should I give up mine?”

The mind moves upward or downward. Jealousy, selfishness, desire for enjoyment, laziness, etc., determine its downward motion; faith, devotion to God, love, sympathy, etc., determine its upward motion.

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The chanting of the name of the Lord purifies both the body and the mind. Have intense faith in the power of God’s name and meditate on him. If you chant his name, all your bonds will be broken, and you will become fearless. You will find immortality. The one object of spiritual disciplines is to know God—to obtain his grace. The mud of “lust and gold” that stains the mind must be washed away. Unless the heart is purified, God’s grace is not revealed. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “So long as the needle is covered with mud, it is not attracted to the magnet. But when the mud has been washed away, the needle is naturally drawn toward the magnet.”

The mud of the mind is washed away if one thinks of the Lord, meditates on him, and prays to him with a yearning heart. At once the magnet of God attracts the needle of man’s mind to him, and the moment the mind becomes pure, divine grace begins to flow. Through this divine grace God is revealed. Sri Ramakrishna used to use the illustration of the policeman’s bull’s-eye lantern. With its aid the policeman can see everyone, yet himself remain hidden.

15 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Again, he would say: “Water accumulates on low ground; when the ground is high it runs off.” In a humble man, sweetness of character and other good qualities develop naturally. Try to remember God constantly—even while you are working. In the beginning, it is a little difficult, but through practice, it becomes easy. Never give up struggling. Too many rules and regulations for spiritual life are no good. The main thing is sincerity and earnestness. If you have these qualities, your prayer will surely reach the Lord. God looks into the heart and not into the words of a man. People talk of enjoying this world, but what do they know of enjoyment? First become a god and then enjoy. Before that, all so-called enjoyments are the enjoyments of a brute. If your mind has become pure and you live with pure thoughts, no evil can touch you. Maharaj, there is the song, “I want to taste sugar but not to become sugar.” Should that be the attitude of a devotee? “I want to taste sugar but not become sugar,” is for the man who has not yet tasted sugar. When a devotee begins to taste the sweetness of God, he will desire to achieve oneness with him. Are dreams about enlightened men or divine incarnations real? Yes, they are real. Dreams about enlightened souls, gods and goddesses, and divine incarnations, are real experiences. They are actual visitations. Many spiritual truths are revealed to one in dreams. The effect and impression of such dreams remain. But one must not speak of them to anybody.

If you wish to do good to the world, you must be perfectly selfless. Worldly people are such that often if you do them good, they in turn will try to harm you. You have heard of the great soul Vidyasagar. He lived for the good of the world, and those who were benefited by him were the very ones who spoke ill of him and tried to harm him. If he learned that someone had spoken ill of him, he would say, “Have I done him any good that he does me this harm?” That is the nature of the world. But the truth of the matter is, those who are good will do good by their very nature, and those who are wicked will do harm by their very nature. Once a holy man, seated on the bank of a river, was meditating. Suddenly, he saw a scorpion floating on the water. He took pity on it and with the palm of his hand scooped it out of the water. But as he did so, the scorpion stung him. The holy man suffered great pain. A few moments later, the scorpion again fell into the water. The holy man again helped it out. Again, the scorpion stung him. This happened a third time. Presently, a man who had been watching the whole thing asked: “Why do you help the scorpion when it stings you again and again?” The holy man replied: “It is the nature of the scorpion to sting, and it is my nature to help. The scorpion does not give up its nature; why should I give up mine?”

The mind moves upward or downward. Jealousy, selfishness, desire for enjoyment, laziness, etc., determine its downward motion; faith, devotion to God, love, sympathy, etc., determine its upward motion.

16 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

THE CHANTING of the name of the Lord purifies both the body and the mind. Have intense faith in the power of God’s name and meditate on him. If you chant his name, all your bonds will be broken, and you will become fearless. You will find immortality.

The one object of spiritual disciplines is to know God—to obtain his grace. The mud of “lust and gold” that stains the mind must be washed away. Unless the heart is purified, God’s grace is not revealed.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “So long as the needle is covered with mud, it is not attracted to the magnet. But when the mud has been washed away, the needle is naturally drawn toward the magnet.”

The mud of the mind is washed away if one thinks of the Lord, meditates on him, and prays to him with a yearning heart. At once the magnet of God attracts the needle of man’s mind to him, and the moment the mind becomes pure, divine grace begins to flow. Through this divine grace God is revealed.

Sri Ramakrishna used to use the illustration of the policeman’s bull’s-eye lantern. With its aid the policeman can see everyone, yet himself remain hidden. If anyone wants to see the policeman, he must ask him to turn the light upon himself.

So, it is with God’s grace. God is the Light of Knowledge, and to obtain his grace and see him, you must pray earnestly to him to turn that light upon himself. Then only can you see him.

17 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

As long as a man desires the things of the world, it is not possible for him to have any earnest desire to know God. As long as a child is absorbed in his toys, he forgets his mother; but as soon as he tires of them, he cries for her and is not happy till he sees her. Similarly, when a man tires of the playthings of the world, his heart yearns for God, and he struggles with all his mind and will to find him.

The desire to live a pure and holy life does not come easily. But know this for a certainty: the grace of God is upon all those in whom this desire is awakened. In the world, man receives repeated blows. He suffers much, and yet the desire to walk the path of God does not enter into his heart. He knows full well that every time he puts his hand in the fire it will burn, yet still he does it. Not only so, he uses every inducement to encourage others to do the same and regards that man as crazy who desists.

Whenever a young boy decides to live a pure life, dedicated to God, it is almost certain that his parents and friends will do everything in their power to obstruct his path. If he should stray, no one cares; but if he tries to find God, everything is done to discourage him. Such is maya.

Can man know God by himself? Can the intellect grasp him? Surrender yourself to him; love him, yearn for him, seek refuge in him, be mad for him! The one purpose of life is to know God. Learn to be absorbed in him. Activity is not the goal. Work without attachment is only a means to absorption in God. Meditate and dive deep. As you dive deep, you will know that God alone is real and that everything else is unreal.

18 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

When, through spiritual practices, a little awakening comes, do not mistake that for the goal. Do not stop! Move onward! Light! More light! Go deeper and deeper. You must see Him face to face and talk to him. Enough of study and argument! Now gather the forces of your mind and direct them toward God and God only. Plunge into the ocean of Bliss. Do not sacrifice eternal joy for the sake of ephemeral pleasure. Worldly pleasures will seem insipid to you when once you have tasted the divine bliss. You see many attractive sense-objects before your eyes now, but where will they be when your eyes close in death? These objects of enjoyment lead a man from darkness to greater darkness. Which path will you take? The path that leads to darkness or the path that leads to light?

Ah, my children, you have glimpsed that path of light. Do not turn back to the path of darkness. Sense-attraction is strong indeed, and if you yield to it, it will create indelible impressions of evil in your mind, and before you are aware of it the mind will drag you down and down. The only way to remain safe from sense-objects is to give yourselves up wholeheartedly to God. Be strong in his strength, and this very strength will free you from the net of maya.

'Jai Ramakrishna 19/07/2025'

He alone has known God’s grace who has overcome this world.

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The same instructions for spiritual disciplines do not apply to all. The guru studies the temperament and tendencies of the individual and instructs him accordingly. Beyond a few general rules, no individual can be told in the presence of another what particular path he should follow. I have seen, in the case of Sri Ramakrishna, how he would take each disciple aside and privately instruct him according to his needs and temperament. If you should want to ask your guru any question regarding your spiritual practices, you should do so in private.

However, I will give you a few instructions which can be followed by all. First, have faith in God; know that he is. Be firmly convinced that to realize him is the only purpose of life. By knowing him, man reaches eternal life and infinite happiness, and all the problems of his life are solved.

Next, practice continence. Without perfect chastity, no one can hold fast to high spiritual ideals. To nourish the body, mind, and brain, and to secure their fullest development, continence is essential. In a chaste man, a special spiritual nerve is developed. With its aid, his memory, his capacity for spiritual understanding, and his faith in God increase. He is able to experience spiritual truths which lie beyond the reach of the senses. That is the reason why religious teachers stress the ideal of chastity.

Thirdly, control the appetite. Take only that food which is nourishing and easily digested. Avoid food that excites or produces lethargy. Eat very little after sunset. The brain must be kept cool in order to meditate. Eat only to keep the body healthy; health is essential in the practice of spiritual disciplines.

Do not make a show of your spiritual practices. When you meditate, meditate in secret.

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The most suitable hours for prayer and contemplation are those at the junction of day and night, and at midnight. Daytime has many distractions. At night, nature takes on a quiet aspect, so that night-time is best for the practice of contemplation. At dead of night, the mind becomes absorbed in God with very little effort.

Sri Ramakrishna never spent the night in sleep, nor would he allow his disciples to sleep long. When others had gone to bed, and all was quiet, he would awaken them, give them definite instructions, and send them to the Panchavati or the temple to meditate. There they would spend the whole night in prayer as directed, and during the day they would rest. In this way, Sri Ramakrishna took them through their various spiritual exercises. He would often say: “There are three classes of people who keep awake at night: yogis, bhogis (seekers of enjoyment), and rogis (people who are sick). You are all yogis. You should never sleep at night.”

You are young. Strive hard to taste the divine bliss. When once you have enjoyed happiness in God, where else will you go?

The moment you become absorbed in the contemplation of God, you will experience unbounded joy. Days and nights will pass away in the blissful consciousness of God. Do not speak of your spiritual moods and experiences to anyone, least of all to those of a worldly nature. It may hinder your growth. However, if you exchange your experiences with one of a like mind, whose temperament is in harmony with your own, you may be helped in your progress. Both of you are travellers along the same path.

19 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS for spiritual disciplines do not apply to all. The guru studies the temperament and tendencies of the individual and instructs him accordingly.

Beyond a few general rules, no individual can be told in the presence of another what particular path he should follow. I have seen, in the case of Sri Ramakrishna, how he would take each disciple aside and privately instruct him according to his needs and temperament. If you should want to ask your guru any question regarding your spiritual practices, you should do so in private.

However, I will give you a few instructions which can be followed by all.

First, have faith in God, know that he is. Be firmly convinced that to realize him is the only purpose of life. By knowing him man reaches eternal life and infinite happiness, and all the problems of his life are solved.

Next, practice continence. Without perfect chastity no one can hold fast to high spiritual ideals. To nourish the body, mind, and brain, and to secure their fullest development, continence is essential.

In a chaste man a special spiritual nerve is developed. With its aid, his memory, his capacity for spiritual understanding, and his faith in God increase. He is able to experience spiritual truths which lie beyond the reach of the senses. That is the reason why religious teachers stress the ideal of chastity.

Thirdly, control the appetite. Take only that food which is nourishing and easily digested. Avoid food that excites or produces lethargy. Eat very little after sunset.

The brain must be kept cool in order to meditate. Eat only to keep the body healthy; health is essential in the practice of spiritual disciplines.

Do not make a show of your spiritual practices. When you meditate, meditate in secret.

20 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The same instructions for spiritual disciplines do not apply to all. The guru studies the temperament and tendencies of the individual and instructs him accordingly. Beyond a few general rules, no individual can be told in the presence of another what particular path he should follow. I have seen, in the case of Sri Ramakrishna, how he would take each disciple aside and privately instruct him according to his needs and temperament. If you should want to ask your guru any question regarding your spiritual practices, you should do so in private.

However, I will give you a few instructions which can be followed by all. First, have faith in God, know that he is. Be firmly convinced that to realize him is the only purpose of life. By knowing him man reaches eternal life and infinite happiness, and all the problems of his life are solved. Next, practice continence. Without perfect chastity no one can hold fast to high spiritual ideals. To nourish the body, mind, and brain, and to secure their fullest development, continence is essential. In a chaste man a special spiritual nerve is developed. With its aid, his memory, his capacity for spiritual understanding, and his faith in God increase. He is able to experience spiritual truths which lie beyond the reach of the senses. That is the reason why religious teachers stress the ideal of chastity.

Thirdly, control the appetite. Take only that food which is nourishing and easily digested. Avoid food that excites or produces lethargy. Eat very little after sunset. The brain must be kept cool in order to meditate. Eat only to keep the body healthy; health is essential in the practice of spiritual disciplines. Do not make a show of your spiritual practices. When you meditate, meditate in secret.

The most suitable hours for prayer and contemplation are those at the junction of day and night, and at midnight. Daytime has many distractions. At night, nature takes on a quiet aspect, so that night-time is best for the practice of contemplation. At dead of night the mind becomes absorbed in God with very little effort. Sri Ramakrishna never spent the night in sleep, nor would he allow his disciples to sleep long. When others had gone to bed, and all was quiet, he would awaken them, give them definite instructions and send them to the Panchavati or the temple to meditate. There they would spend the whole night in prayer as directed, and during the day they would rest.

21 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Do you know why you should seek the society of holy men? Their experiences are a great help to a spiritual aspirant. When you visit a strange place, if you have the help of a reliable guide, you will quickly see all that is worth seeing there; also, he will save you from the dangers and difficulties into which a stranger is likely to fall. Similarly, from the company of advanced souls you will gather many valuable hints, and your efforts will be simplified.

This life may end at any moment. No one knows when. Equip yourself for the journey with spiritual treasures. To arrive empty-handed at an unknown place involves much suffering and sorrow. Birth is inevitably followed by death. At death you go to an unknown place, so you must prepare yourself for the journey. Always be ready for the great call.

Here you have every opportunity to grow spiritually. Struggle now to reach the Reality. Hold on to the Pillar. Have tremendous faith in yourself. Say to yourself, “I can know God”—with this faith forge ahead and you will reach him. Then your life will be blessed. Free yourself from the wheel of birth and death. Be his eternal companion.

Banish all fear and weakness. Never weaken your mind by thinking of past mistakes. Sin? Sin exists only in man’s eye. In God’s eye there is no sin. One glance of his and the sins of millions of births are wiped away. You have come to Sri Ramakrishna. Hold on to him. You will have nothing to fear.

Make a regular routine for your spiritual practices. You must have certain fixed hours for meditation and study. Under all circumstances follow this routine devotedly. Steadfastness is very important; without it no success is possible.

22 July 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Ramakrishnanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of Swami Ramakrishnananda)

ADVERSITY

Unless one passes through the school of adversity, one cannot properly be called a human being. We learn much from our troubles. You should not lose heart in adversity. Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, prayed to Sri Krishna to beset her with adversities, since in adversity alone is the more frequently remembered!

AIM

We must not cease to strive for the highest even though it seems unattainable. We must keep God as our ideal and aim; that will pull us on. If a man aims at the sky, at least he may strike the top of a tree. If he aims at the top of the tree, he may not get above the ground.

AMBITION

The very fact that we are dissatisfied with our finite nature shows that it is not our natural condition. The fact that we have infinite ambition, that we have insatiable hunger for more and more, proves that we are infinite by nature, and that is why we are always dissatisfied with whatever is finite. Wipe away the dust, arouse your ambition, stir up your activity and know that all power is latent in you. You are not limited.

ATTITUDE

Divine Mother does not like us to call ourselves Her servants. We are her children to Her, not servants. Always think of yourself as Her child.

CONTENTMENT

Do not be content with the little things of this world. This universe is like a baby’s toy. Throw it away. Claim your eternal heritage.

23 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

If a man aims at the sky, at least he may strike the top of a tree. If he aims at the top of the tree, he may not get above the ground.

AMBITION

The very fact that we are dissatisfied with our finite nature shows that it is not our natural condition. The fact that we have infinite ambition, that we have insatiable hunger for more and more, proves that we are infinite by nature, and that is why we are always dissatisfied with whatever is finite. Wipe away the dust, arouse your ambition, stir up your activity and know that all power is latent in you. You are not limited.

ATTITUDE

Divine Mother does not like us to call ourselves Her servants. We are her children to Her, not servants. Always think of yourself as Her child.

CONTENTMENT

Do not be content with the little things of this world. This universe is like a baby’s toy. Throw it away. Claim your eternal heritage. This little span of life is not yours; your life has no beginning, no end.

By steadfastness alone the mind becomes absorbed in God. Unless absorption is achieved, freedom from the temptations of the world is not possible. Lust, anger, delusion—these are strong foes. Be strong in the strength of God and escape from this net of maya. Follow your routine. The mind may rebel at first, but do not yield! Then gradually you will find yourselves masters of your own minds. When you have gained control over yourselves, and your minds have become naturally absorbed in God, then you need follow no rule or routine. Life, like a stream, is ebbing fast away. The day that is once gone can never be recalled. Make the best use of your time. If you leave it till the last moment, it will be too late then to cry, “Alas, alas!”

Keep up a constant communion with God; then all the depravities of the mind will vanish. Set apart a room or some place for daily worship; retire there every morning and evening. Perform japam and meditation and prayer regularly for as long as you can. The more you devote yourself to the contemplation of God, the more fruitful your life will become; the more attached you are to the vanities of the world, the more restless will your mind become. I pray to the Almighty that by his endless grace he may lead you in the right path!

Know this: without worshiping God you can never have peace of mind. Therefore, spend some time every day in the worship of God, in japam and meditation, and in singing God’s glory. True devotion, faith, and knowledge are the results of long persistence in spiritual practices. Many people turn to agnosticism when, after a lukewarm attempt at spiritual practices, they cannot realize God or attain divine bliss. The reason is not far to seek. These people do not feel sincere attachment to God; therefore they find it difficult to persevere in their spiritual practices. The disciplines prove too arduous an undertaking for them.

24 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Like the Buddha, one should be bold. See what a mighty renunciation he had! To realize God, he gave up all his royal comforts without a thought. What a severe course of discipline he underwent! Then, when in spite of everything he could not realize God, he took his bath in the sacred Nirajana (a rivulet at Buddha Gaya) and sat down with this resolve: “Let this body go; but until I have attained illumination, I will not rise.” And the illumination came!

God is the wish-granting tree. Whatever a man asks of him, he grants.

25 July 2025 But such is the play of maya, man does not want to find the blissful ocean of God; instead, he drowns himself in the quagmire of worldliness and thinks he is happy. Then as he meets with the sufferings of the world, he feels that his life has been lived in vain. You are sitting under this wish-granting tree. Ask to become divine and you will become divine. Ask to become a brute and a brute you will become. In the domain of maya there is both vidya (that which leads a man to God) and avidya (that which leads a man away from God). Vidya is spiritual discrimination and renunciation. By taking refuge in vidya, you take refuge in God; while avidya, which consists of lust, anger, greed, egotism, attachment, and envy, drags a man down to the level of a brute. If you cultivate discrimination and renunciation, avidya will be destroyed. If you yield to avidya, God remains far away and suffering will be your lot. There are both vidya and avidya. Man has the power to choose the one or the other, and on the nature of his choice will depend his success or failure in life, and he will reap the fruits of his choosing. Why blame God for your sufferings? Man falls in love with the pleasures of the moment, never stopping to discriminate, and the suffering which follows is of his own making. Put your hand into the fire, and it will get burned. Is that the fault of the fire? Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “The lamp gives light to all. By its light one may read the scriptures and another may forge a check. Is that the fault of the lamp?” Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “There is a peculiar breeze called the malaya breeze. When this breeze blows, it touches all trees. By its touch some trees, having a certain substance in them, are transformed into sandal trees, while the others, lacking that substance, remain the same.” So also, there are two classes of men. As soon as those of the one class come into the presence of holy men and hear their teachings, they are awakened. They realize the evanescence of the world and become eager to find God and to solve the mysteries of life and death. They at once devote themselves to the practice of spiritual disciplines. Such men are sure to reach enlightenment. Then there is the other class. Even though you may hold high spiritual ideals before them, they do not respond. They think they will live forever and that the world cannot get along without them. They also imagine it is sheer foolishness to give up the pleasures of the world for the sake of the unknown. Thus, they remain sunken in darkness.

26 July 2025 There is the path of the good and the path of the pleasant: one leads to everlasting peace and the other leads to suffering. Choose therefore the path of the good. Time waits for no man. Choose now! Waste not another moment! Try to mold your mind in such a way that it will not think of anything but God. Pray earnestly to him with all your heart and soul: “O Lord, give me understanding. Free me from all sense of ego. Teach me to submit to your will. Make me your own.” Yearn for him. Since you have taken refuge in Sri Ramakrishna, be certain that you have his grace. Unfortunate indeed is he who, having this grace, fails to recognize it. Do not miss the supreme joy. Solve the mysteries of life and death and become the eternal companion of the Lord. Sri Ramakrishna is the avatar of this age, and he is helping every sincere and earnest aspirant. He is waiting for you. Make a little effort; spread the sails of devotion, and the spiritual breeze that is forever blowing will carry you to your goal. Do not look back. Go forward. Make your life blessed by the vision of the Lord. Everyone is seeking happiness. And, yet the deluded man ignores God, the source of all happiness, and runs after the worthless toys of life. If you really want happiness, throw away these toys and yearn for God.

25 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

If you cultivate discrimination and renunciation, *avidya* will be destroyed. If you yield to *avidya*, God remains far away and suffering will be your lot. There are both *vidya* and *avidya*. Man has the power to choose the one or the other, and on the nature of his choice will depend his success or failure in life, and he will reap the fruits of his choosing. Why blame God for your sufferings? Man falls in love with the pleasures of the moment, never stopping to discriminate, and the suffering which follows is of his own making. Put your hand into the fire, and it will get burned. Is that the fault of the fire?

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “The lamp gives light to all. By its light one may read the scriptures and another may forge a check. Is that the fault of the lamp?”

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “There is a peculiar breeze called the *malaya* breeze. When this breeze blows, it touches all trees. By its touch some trees, having a certain substance in them, are transformed into sandal trees, while the others, lacking that substance, remain the same.”

So also, there are two classes of men. As soon as those of the one class come into the presence of holy men and hear their teachings, they are awakened. They realize the evanescence of the world and become eager to find God and to solve the mysteries of life and death. They at once devote themselves to the practice of spiritual disciplines. Such men are sure to reach enlightenment. Then there is the other class. Even though you may hold high spiritual ideals before them, they do not respond. They think they will live forever and that the world cannot get along without them. They also imagine it is sheer foolishness to give up the pleasures of the world for the sake of the unknown. Thus, they remain sunken in darkness.

26 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

There is the path of the good and the path of the pleasant: one leads to everlasting peace and the other leads to suffering. Choose therefore the path of the good. Time waits for no man. Choose now! Waste not another moment! Try to mold your mind in such a way that it will not think of anything but God. Pray earnestly to him with all your heart and soul: “O Lord, give me understanding. Free me from all sense of ego. Teach me to submit to your will. Make me your own.”

Yearn for him. Since you have taken refuge in Sri Ramakrishna, be certain that you have his grace. Unfortunate indeed is he who, having this grace, fails to recognize it. Do not miss the supreme joy. Solve the mysteries of life and death and become the eternal companion of the Lord. Sri Ramakrishna is the avatar of this age, and he is helping every sincere and earnest aspirant. He is waiting for you. Make a little effort; spread the sails of devotion, and the spiritual breeze that is forever blowing will carry you to your goal. Do not look back. Go forward. Make your life blessed by the vision of the Lord.

Everyone is seeking happiness. And, yet the deluded man ignores God, the source of all happiness, and runs after the worthless toys of life. If you really want happiness, throw away these toys and yearn for God. He will run to you and take you in his arms. Seek the toys of life, and you will find them; seek God, and you will find him. “Eat the mangoes, do not count the leaves.” The sole purpose of life is to reach God. Reach him first. Pray to him unceasingly. Wake up, plunge into the ocean of nectar. Solve the mystery of life and death and become immortal.

Jai Ramakrishna.

27 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

God has many names and many forms. He is also without form. It makes no difference by what name or in what form you worship him, but worship him. Lose yourself in contemplation of him. If you are sincere in your worship of him, you will be blessed with his vision. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “Sweet bread will taste sweet whatever way you eat it.”

Have faith and dive deep into the fathomless ocean, and you are sure to find the eternal treasure, the pearl beyond price. Do not lose heart if, after a little struggle, you fail to find it. The ocean is full of precious pearls, but you may not find them at the first dive. Try patiently to dive deep into meditation; in due course you are certain to receive God’s grace. If you wish to meet an important man, you must seek him through his ministers; similarly, to obtain the Lord’s grace, you must seek the help of godly men and undergo many spiritual disciplines.

Know that he is dearer than the dearest; pray to him with a yearning heart for his grace and vision. Cry to him like a child; he cannot resist your tears. Make the mind one-pointed like the mariner’s compass. In whatever direction the ship may sail, the compass always points to the north and keeps the ship on its course. Keep your mind pointed toward God, and your boat will sail smoothly. A man who does this never loses his faith and devotion, even if he is thrown into an evil environment. The moment such a man hears of God, he becomes intoxicated with joy. A piece of flint may lie under water for a thousand years, but it will still emit sparks if it is taken out and struck.

28 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Like a fallen leaf tossed to and fro by the wind, the one-pointed man is content to remain wherever the Lord places him. He has no will or desire of his own. He can live in the world and at the same time dive into the ocean of knowledge and bliss. A pure mind is like a dry match-stick. It ignites the moment you strike it, but try as you will, you cannot light a match that is wet. Similarly, if the mind becomes soiled by worldliness, you will find it extremely difficult to restore it to its former purity.

“Maharaj, in spite of all my efforts, my mind is still restless. How can I curb it?”

Practice japam and meditation regularly. Do not miss even one day. The mind is like a spoiled child—always restless. Try repeatedly to steady it by fixing it on the Chosen Ideal, and at last you will become absorbed in him. If you continue your practice for two or three years, you will begin to feel an unspeakable joy and the mind will become steady. In the beginning, the practice of japam and meditation seems dry. It is like taking bitter medicine.

29 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

You must forcibly pour the thought of God into your mind; then, as you persist, you will be flooded with joy. What a tremendous ordeal a student goes through in order to pass his examination. To realize God is a far easier task! Call on him sincerely with a tranquil heart.

That is very encouraging, Maharaj, but at times I feel that in spite of all my efforts I am making no progress. It all seems so unreal. Despair takes hold of me.

No, no. There is no cause for despair. The effect of meditation is inevitable. You are bound to get results if you practice japam with devotion, or even without it, for devotion will follow. Continue your practice regularly for a little longer. You will find peace. One’s health also improves if one meditates.

30 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Meditation, in the primary stage, is like waging a war with the mind. With effort, the restless mind must be brought under control and placed at the feet of the Lord. But in the beginning, take care that you do not overtax your brain. Go slowly, then gradually intensify your effort. Through regular practice, the mind will become steady and meditation will be easier. You will no longer feel any strain even while sitting for long hours in contemplation. Just as after deep sleep a man feels refreshed in body and mind, so will you feel refreshed after meditation, and there will follow an intense experience of happiness. The body and mind are closely related. When the body is disturbed, the mind also becomes disturbed. Therefore, particular care must be given to the diet in order to keep the body healthy. Under no circumstances should an aspirant fill more than one-half of his stomach with food. Meditation is not such an easy matter. When you have eaten too much, the mind becomes restless. Also, unless you keep lust, anger, greed, and such other passions under control, the mind will remain unsteady. How can you meditate with an unsteady mind?

You must practice severe austerities, but by this I do not mean physical austerities, or the torture of the body. Real austerity consists in the control of the passions. Passion must never be allowed to raise its head. But remember, religion is not for the eunuch, nor for the one who maims his body.

30 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Unless you meditate, you cannot control the mind; and unless the mind is controlled, you cannot meditate. But if you think, “First let me control the mind and then I shall meditate,” you will never succeed. You must steady your mind and meditate at the same time. As you sit down to meditate, think of the cravings of the mind as mere dreams. See them as unreal; they can never attach themselves to the mind. Feel that you are pure. In this way, purity will gradually fill your mind. As you continue in your meditation, you may experience a divine light, or you may hear the ringing of a bell or the sound of Om. Many such spiritual experiences may come, but pay no attention to them. They are of little value, except to indicate that you are on the right path. If you wish to realize God, practice the spiritual disciplines with patience and perseverance. In due course, you will be enlightened. When the time comes, the Lord will reveal his grace to you. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Until the time is ripe, the mother bird does not break open the egg.”

Do not be impatient. Impatience avails nothing. Work and wait. This period of waiting is no doubt very wearisome. One moment you feel hope, then again despair; joy is followed by sorrow.

29 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

You are bound to get results if you practice japam with devotion, or even without it, for devotion will follow. Continue your practice regularly for a little longer. You will find peace. One’s health also improves if one meditates.

Meditation, in the primary stage, is like waging a war with the mind. With effort the restless mind must be brought under control and placed at the feet of the Lord. But in the beginning, take care that you do not overtax your brain. Go slowly, then gradually intensify your effort. Through regular practice, the mind will become steady and meditation will be easier. You will no longer feel any strain even while sitting for long hours in contemplation. Just as after deep sleep a man feels refreshed in body and mind, so will you feel refreshed after meditation, and there will follow an intense experience of happiness. The body and mind are closely related. When the body is disturbed, the mind also becomes disturbed. Therefore, particular care must be given to the diet in order to keep the body healthy. Under no circumstances should an aspirant fill more than one-half of his stomach with food. Meditation is not such an easy matter. When you have eaten too much, the mind becomes restless. Also, unless you keep lust, anger, greed, and such other passions under control, the mind will remain unsteady. How can you meditate with an unsteady mind?

You must practice severe austerities, but by this I do not mean physical austerities, or the torture of the body. Real austerity consists in the control of the passions. Passion must never be allowed to raise its head. But remember, religion is not for the eunuch, nor for the one who maims his body.

30 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Unless you meditate, you cannot control the mind, and unless the mind is controlled, you cannot meditate. But if you think “First let me control the mind and then I shall meditate,” you will never succeed. You must steady your mind and meditate at the same time. As you sit down to meditate, think of the cravings of the mind as mere dreams. See them as unreal. They can never attach themselves to the mind. Feel that you are pure. In this way purity will gradually fill your mind. As you continue in your meditation you may experience a divine light or you may hear the ringing of a bell or the sound of Om. Many such spiritual experiences may come but pay no attention to them. They are of little value, except to indicate that you are on the right path. If you wish to realize God, practice the spiritual disciplines with patience and perseverance. In due course you will be enlightened. When the time comes, the Lord will reveal his grace to you. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Until the time is ripe the mother bird does not break open the egg.”

Do not be impatient. Impatience avails nothing. Work and wait. This period of waiting is no doubt very wearisome. One moment you feel hope, then again despair; joy is followed by sorrow. So, the struggle continues for some time until God, at long last, is revealed.

31 July 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, how does devotion to God grow?

Keep the company of the holy; listen to their teachings and mold your life after their pattern. But without continence and the practice of meditation you cannot grasp the spirit of the enlightened ones; nor can you understand the scriptures. Read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and meditate on its teachings. The more you meditate on God the better will be your understanding of holy books. To hear about the knowledge of God is one thing, to live in God is another. But the knowledge acquired through realization is different from both. If you have the craving for fleshly enjoyments or the slightest desire for name and fame you cannot reach God. As Nag Mahasaya used to say, “It is like trying to row an anchored boat.” He also used to say, “It is easy to get name and fame. But holy is he who can renounce them.”

Blessed is he who finds association with an enlightened soul. Vain is this life if one does not struggle to realize God. Maharaj, there are some who believe that merely keeping company with the holy is enough. One need do no more. No! Merely to keep the company of the holy is not enough. You must open your heart and ask them to solve your doubts. You must carefully observe their lives and imitate their example. It is a lazy man’s attitude to think that all one need do is to associate with the holy. Needless to say, association is also very important. For in their company doubts are removed and pure thoughts are awakened. No scriptures or books can create such pure impressions or transform a man’s life as much as contact with an enlightened soul.

1 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, Sri Ramakrishna has said that solitude is an aid to spiritual growth. Yes, that is true; but you should retire into solitude only when you have attained some growth in the spiritual life. To retire from human society before one is ready is unwise. In this world of time, space, and causation, it is impossible to find true solitude. True solitude lies beyond the mind and intellect. It is identical with the Most Tranquil. Therefore, it is better for a beginner to live in the company of holy men.

The other day you said that impatience was of no avail; that we should be content to work and wait. Does that mean that we must not yearn to realize God immediately? I must have said that in another connection. Yes, you must yearn to realize him, but do not be carried away by temporary emotions, nor give expression to them. To intensify your spiritual emotions, you must hold them within. If you give vent to them, they will exhaust themselves. Then dryness may follow. The man of true devotion yearns for God without becoming impatient. Even if he sees no light he will not give up his devotions. Only those who love God like shopkeepers looking for profit will give up if their prayers are not answered immediately.

2 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, how can we develop yearning for God?

When your mind becomes purified by the influence of holy men and when you practice spiritual disciplines, yearning will grow.

Maharaj, how does one attain peace?

Peace dwells in the heart of one who loves God. Realize that your life without him is barren. Yearn for him, and peace will follow. When a man finds no peace in the world, dispassion grows within him and he is drawn to God.

The more a man realizes that the world is barren, the more intense becomes his devotion to God and the greater is his peace. The greater the thirst, the sweeter the water. First create this thirst and then you will find peace in God.

How can love grow?

By prayer, meditation, and the practice of spiritual disciplines.

Can a man realize God while living in the world?

Is there anyone outside the world?

No, Maharaj, what I mean is this: can a man realize God if he lives the life of a householder?

Yes, he also can realize God but he has a greater struggle.

Should a man renounce the world if dispassion arises?

Yes, he should. Once true dispassion is awakened, it will spread like a forest fire. As Sri Ramakrishna used to say: When once a man of renunciation is released from the bondage of the world, he never wants to be caught again. He is like a fish that has escaped from the net.

Is it possible to realize God without a guru?

It is, but it is not so easy without a guru. The guru is one who shows the path to God through a Mantram. He gives the secret of spiritual practices. He watches over his disciple and protects him. A guru must be a knower of Brahman.

3 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

How can one make the mind one-pointed?

By practice. Pray, worship, meditate regularly. Meditation for one or two hours a day is not sufficient. The longer you practice, the more your mind will become one-pointed toward God. Follow a routine with regularity. The aspirant must begin his spiritual practice by offering mental worship to his Chosen Ideal—God with form. Then he must meditate on his shining form and gradually let this form melt into the Formless. God is with form, he is without form, and he is beyond both. Practice meditation in solitude and silence. Seek God and God alone. Renounce lust and greed and make him your sole treasure. First renounce mentally. Outward renunciation will follow if you detach your mind from the transitory, unreal objects of the world and attach it to God.

Maharaj, what is the meaning of the Vedantic saying: “Brahman is real, the universe is unreal?”

It means that the universe of appearance is unreal. In samadhi the universe disappears. If you ask a seer about his experiences he will say: “All is infinite bliss there! There is no ‘I’ nor ‘you’—there is only Existence—Knowledge—Bliss Absolute. The joy of that experience is unspeakable.”

Maharaj, what is the proof of God’s existence?

The seer says: “I have seen him. You also can see him.” Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “Merely uttering the word ‘hemp’ does not bring intoxication. Procure hemp, mix it with the right ingredients, and then drink it, and after a while you will become intoxicated.” Watch and wait. Practice spiritual disciplines, and you will be blessed with the vision of God.

Sometimes, as I continue practicing japam, my mind becomes blank. What causes that, Maharaj?

That is one of the obstacles in the way to spiritual growth. Meditation must be practiced along with the practice of japam. Meditation means a continuous flow of thought toward God. When meditation ripens, there comes absorption, and samadhi is experienced. The joy that is realized in samadhi remains forever.

How should I meditate? Please instruct me.

Hold the mind fast to the lotus feet of your Chosen Ideal.

4 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

In which centre shall I meditate upon him—the centre in the brain or the centre in the heart? Meditation can be practiced in both centres. I would advise you at first, however, to meditate in the heart. But how, Maharaj? Meditate upon him in the centre of the lotus in your heart. (Maharaj then gave the disciple more detailed instruction concerning meditation. These details can only be learned personally from a guru.)

But, Maharaj, the heart is made of flesh and blood. How can one think of God there? By heart, I do not mean the anatomical heart. Think of the spiritual centre situated near the heart. In the beginning, as you think of God within the body, you will think of your flesh and blood. But soon you will forget the body and there will only remain the blissful form of the Chosen Ideal. Shall I think of him exactly as he is portrayed in pictures or images? Let the picture or image be merely an aid in bringing to your mind the living, conscious, and shining form of your Chosen Ideal.

Maharaj, what is really meant by “meditating on the meaning of the mantram?” What is the meaning of the mantram? It is the name of God. You have a name. If I call you, your form also comes to my mind. Call on the Lord in this same way. Repeat the mantram and at the same time meditate on the image of the Chosen Ideal.

How does one perform japam? By repeating the mantram mentally or audibly? When you are alone, you may repeat it audibly to yourself; otherwise repeat it mentally.

Maharaj, for the last few days during my meditation, the mantram has appeared in shining letters before my closed eyes. When this happens the form of the Chosen Ideal disappears. You must not let the Chosen Ideal leave your mind—meditation and mantram must go together. However, your experience of the mantram shows that you are proceeding along the right path. That was an auspicious sign. The mantram is the sound-Brahman.

5 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

How can one get the mind absorbed in God, Maharaj?

Practice meditation regularly. The early morning is a good time for meditation. Before you begin your meditation, read devotional scriptures. This will help you to concentrate the mind on God. After meditation sit quietly for at least half an hour; for during meditation itself the desired effect may not be produced, it may come later. The mind often grows calm while you are relaxing after meditation and then spiritual experiences come. For this reason, an aspirant should not occupy himself with worldly thoughts or engage himself in secular affairs immediately after meditation. It may do him great harm. Practice, practice! Even though you may not like it, keep up the regularity of your practice. Even mechanical practice is a great help. Devote at least two hours every day to the performance of japam. Sometimes it is beneficial just to sit quietly in a solitary place amid beautiful scenery.

Maharaj, what should I do if, while meditating on the form of the Chosen Ideal, other forms of gods and goddesses appear before me?

Recognize this as an auspicious sign. Know that your Chosen Ideal is appearing to you in various aspects. He is one and he is many. Meditate on your Chosen Ideal, but if he appears before you in another form, enjoy that divine vision. Gradually you will find that all aspects are dissolved into your Chosen Ideal. There are particularly auspicious days favourable for spiritual practice—new moon, full moon, the eighth day after the new or full moon, and days on which special celebrations are held. On these days devote more time to japam and meditation.

6 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, the scriptures declare that one should worship the guru before one meditates. How shall I worship the guru? First meditate on him within the heart, knowing that guru and God are one and the same. 7 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

We have heard Swamiji often say, “Work and worship.” Can anyone in the primary stage live absorbed day and night in meditation? Therefore, you must work but work without attachment and for the good of mankind. If you do not work, evil thoughts and unnecessary cares will occupy your mind. The Gita and other scriptures emphasize the ideal of worship and meditation in the midst of the activities of life. I can confirm this from my own experience. “Work and worship” are the surest way to spiritual progress.

You see this disastrous war which is now going on. Out of mere patriotism, men give up their wives and children and all their pleasures and sacrifice their lives for a worldly cause. Yet you who have given up hearth and home, renounced all sense-pleasures, and surrendered yourselves at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna for the sake of a noble ideal—the good of mankind and the realization of God—you want to avoid a little work!

Swamiji used to say to us: “If you think you are wasting your life in doing good to others, let it be wasted. You have wasted many lives before in vain things. Why not waste one more life for the good of mankind?”

But I am telling you that your life will not be wasted. You will realize God through work. In performing japam and meditation, sufficient time and favourable conditions are important, certainly. But those who are inclined to practice spiritual exercises will do so under all circumstances. Those who complain of lack of time or suitable place can never make any progress in this life. Cultivate the habit of constantly remembering God, whether you are idle or engaged in work.

8 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The constant flow of thought toward God is meditation. Neither time, nor place, nor circumstances need be taken into account in this practice. Plunge in! Oh, the joy of it! If you once taste that joy, everything else will lose its savor for you. Why are you afraid of work? Work for the Lord but do so with a steady mind.

7 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

We have heard Swamiji often say, “Work and worship.” Can anyone in the primary stage live absorbed day and night in meditation? Therefore, you must work but work without attachment and for the good of mankind. If you do not work, evil thoughts and unnecessary cares will occupy your mind. The Gita and other scriptures emphasize the ideal of worship and meditation in the midst of the activities of life. I can confirm this from my own experience. “Work and worship” are the surest way to spiritual progress.

You see this disastrous war which is now going on. Out of mere patriotism, men give up their wives and children and all their pleasures and sacrifice their lives for a worldly cause. Yet you who have given up hearth and home, renounced all sense-pleasures, and surrendered yourselves at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna for the sake of a noble ideal—the good of mankind and the realization of God—you want to avoid a little work!

Swamiji used to say to us: “If you think you are wasting your life in doing good to others, let it be wasted. You have wasted many lives before in vain things. Why not waste one more life for the good of mankind?” But I am telling you that your life will not be wasted. You will realize God through work.

In performing japam and meditation, sufficient time and favourable conditions are important, certainly. But those who are inclined to practice spiritual exercises will do so under all circumstances. Those who complain of lack of time or suitable place can never make any progress in this life. Cultivate the habit of constantly remembering God, whether you are idle or engaged in work.

8 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The constant flow of thought toward God is meditation.

Jai Ramakrishna 9 August 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Niranjananandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

Neither time, nor place, nor circumstances need be taken into account in this practice. Plunge in! Oh, the joy of it! If you once taste that joy, everything else will lose its savor for you. Why are you afraid of work? Work for the Lord but do so with a steady mind. Whether it be a great undertaking or a simple one, it must be done with the utmost care and attention. Those who are steady in secular work are also steady in their spiritual exercises. To work in the proper manner, you must have a profound regard for your work and at the same time an indifference to its fruits. All disinclination for work can be overcome if it is dedicated to God. It is when this secret is forgotten that the mind becomes disturbed. With a disturbed mind, you will not succeed either in spiritual life or in secular work. Certainly, it is easier to do a noble deed for the sake of name and fame. But by such deeds a man’s real value cannot be measured. To know the real man, examine his daily actions; for it is his everyday actions which reveal his true character. A true karma-yogi will lose himself heart and soul in any undertaking, even though it is of a very menial kind. He is never motivated by the least desire for popular approval. If you work and forget God, egotism and pride will overpower you. Therefore, I tell you: never forget God, no matter whether you are working or sitting idle. To maintain this attitude, you must keep up your spiritual practices, no matter what happens.

Swami Niranjanananda’s Love for Truth

There was a strange mixture of tenderness and sternness in him. His love for truth was uncompromising and counted no cost. Once a gentleman of Calcutta built a Shiva temple in the city of Varanasi. When Swami Vivekananda heard of this, he remarked, ‘If he does something for relieving the sufferings of the poor, he will acquire the merit of building a thousand such temples.’ When this remark of the great Swami reached the ears of the gentleman, he came forward with a big offer of pecuniary help to the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service at Varanasi—then in a nucleus state. But afterwards, as the first impulse of enthusiasm cooled down, he wanted to curtail the sum which he had originally offered. This breach of promise so much offended Swami Niranjanananda’s sense of regard for truth that he rejected the offer altogether, though that meant great difficulty for the institution. It is very hard to estimate a spiritual personality by external events. The height of spiritual eminence of a person can be perceived, and that also only to some extent, by the inspiration he radiates. Swami Niranjanananda left the stamp of his life on many persons. Some even renounced everything for the sake of God and joined the Ramakrishna Order because of his influence. He left one sannyasin disciple. To know Swami Niranjanananda we must turn to what the Master said that Swami Niranjanananda was one of his ‘Antarangas’, that is, belonged to the inner circle of his devotees. During the last few years of his life, he suffered from dysentery, and passed away on 9 May 1904, from an attack of cholera at Hardwar where he had gone for Tapasya.

10 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, I have tried in various ways to control my senses but I have not succeeded.

9 August 2025

Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Niranjananandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.

Swami Niranjanananda’s Love for Truth

There was a strange mixture of tenderness and sternness in him. His love for truth was uncompromising and counted no cost. Once a gentleman of Calcutta built a Shiva temple in the city of Varanasi. When Swami Vivekananda heard of this, he remarked, ‘If he does something for relieving the sufferings of the poor, he will acquire the merit of building a thousand such temples.’ When this remark of the great Swami reached the ears of the gentleman, he came forward with a big offer of pecuniary help to the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service at Varanasi—then in a nucleus state. But afterwards, as the first impulse of enthusiasm cooled down, he wanted to curtail the sum which he had originally offered. This breach of promise so much offended Swami Niranjanananda’s sense of regard for truth that he rejected the offer altogether, though that meant great difficulty for the institution. It is very hard to estimate a spiritual personality by external events. The height of spiritual eminence of a person can be perceived, and that also only to some extent, by the inspiration he radiates. Swami Niranjanananda left the stamp of his life on many persons. Some even renounced everything for the sake of God and joined the Ramakrishna Order because of his influence. He left one sannyasin disciple. To know Swami Niranjanananda we must turn to what the Master said that Swami Niranjanananda was one of his ‘Antarangas’, that is, belonged to the inner circle of his devotees. During the last few years of his life, he suffered from dysentery, and passed away on 9 May 1904, from an attack of cholera at Hardwar where he had gone for Tapasya.

10 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, I have tried in various ways to control my senses but I have not succeeded. How can I do this?

If you merely say: “I will conquer lust, I will conquer anger and greed,” you can never conquer them; but if you can fix your mind on God, the passions will leave you of themselves.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘The more you move eastward, the farther you are from the west.”

Call on God and pray to him. Then the objects of sense will no longer attract you.

Your way of practicing japam and meditation is very superficial. If you practice casually, devoting only one or two hours a day to meditation, you cannot find God. Lose yourself day and night in his contemplation, in singing his praises and glory; only then will you be blessed with his vision. Dive deep, my children, dive deep. Do not waste your time.

In the primary stage, the aspirant should slowly but steadily increase his hours of meditation. Otherwise, if, because of a momentary enthusiasm, he suddenly tries to increase his hours of meditation, he will find the reaction difficult to bear. He will become depressed, and then he will lose the power to meditate. It is a difficult task to lift a depressed mind and turn it back to spiritual practices.

God’s grace is supreme; without it nothing is achieved.

Pray to him unceasingly for his grace. Prayer is efficacious. He lovingly hears your prayers.

Hold on for a little while. Do not give your mind up to objects of desire. You must exercise great self-control in everything. Objects of desire! They will follow you like slaves. Then, through His grace, you will find you have no desire for them — nor will you feel any attachment to them.

11 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

You have embraced the monastic life, renouncing everything. It does not become you to try to exercise authority over others. That brings great bondage. Whatever you do, know that it is the Lord’s work you are doing. Look upon everything and everybody as belonging to Sri Ramakrishna. “Being deluded by egotism, man thinks himself to be the doer.”

To tell a lie is the greatest sin. A drunkard or a man who frequents houses of ill fame may be trusted, but never a liar! It is the blackest of sins. Never find fault or criticize others. Such a habit is harmful to yourself. By thinking continually of the evil of others, the evil will impress itself upon your own mind and the good that is in you will be overshadowed. Play with God, sing his glory, enjoy the fun! Why should you criticize others? Associate with everybody freely. Be happy with them. Do not indulge in gossip. Only a wicked-hearted man busies himself finding fault with others. Keep yourself pure and go forward, following your own ideal. Learn to see the good in others. If a man has some goodness, exaggerate his goodness in your mind. Give honour to all, praise all. Do this and sympathy for others will grow. He himself is honoured who honours all beings. Never run down a fellowman or slight him. Everyone sees the fault in others. Give him your love, make him your own, and help him to overcome his weaknesses. A man is composed of both good and evil. It is easy to see the evil in others but a holy man is he who can overlook their evil qualities and help them to become pure and holy. Remember, my children, you are holy men. You must always be calm, gentle, modest, and kindly of speech. Goodness and purity must flow through every word you utter, every action you perform, through all your behaviour and movements.

12 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

I bless you, my children, that whosoever associates with you will find peace of heart.

Jai Ramakrishna 13 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Whenever you feel a predominance of sattva, and your mind is tranquil, leave your work and engage yourself in the practice of japam and meditation. At each place of pilgrimage there is a special time when the spiritual current flows. If at those times an aspirant meditates, his mind easily becomes absorbed and he finds increased joy in his meditation.

Benares! It is a place apart from the world. It is a place of mighty spiritual consciousness. If a man lives there and practices spiritual disciplines, he quickly gets results. The mantra, the seed-word, unfolds there with little effort on the part of the aspirant. Here, Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, gives liberation to everyone, whether he be saint or sinner, rich or poor, great or small.

Do you pray or meditate? It is good to devote a little time each day to God. The only way to control the mind and find peace is to chant the name of God and meditate on him.

Meditate upon God within the shrine of your heart or visualize him present before you. Worship him mentally. Just as the ritualistic worshipper offers flowers, and waves incense and lights before the deity in the temple, so should you offer all the articles of worship mentally to the living presence enshrined within your heart.

Do not waste any more time. Begin this very day. Practice japam and meditation once in the morning and once in the evening for at least two years. You will find great joy; spiritual emotions will arise; a new vision will open up. You are sure to find some result in two years. Some succeed even in a year. Stick to it! After a while you will find such joy that you will have no inclination to leave your meditation.

Get yourself a new seat and use it only for your meditation. Sit straight, keep the right hand over the left, with the palms up. Hold your hands near the centre of your body in the region of the heart. Read sacred scriptures.

13 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Whenever you feel a predominance of sattva, and your mind is tranquil, leave your work and engage yourself in the practice of japam and meditation. At each place of pilgrimage there is a special time when the spiritual current flows. If at those times an aspirant meditates, his mind easily becomes absorbed and he finds increased joy in his meditation.

Q: But Maharaj, how does one know that time?

A: It is not difficult. A man who practices meditation can very easily recognize it. Benares! It is a place apart from the world. It is a place of mighty spiritual consciousness. If a man lives there and practices spiritual disciplines, he quickly gets results. The mantra, the seed‑word, unfolds there with little effort on the part of the aspirant. Here, Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, gives liberation to everyone, whether he be saint or sinner, rich or poor, great or small.

Maharaj: Do you pray or meditate?

A: No, Maharaj. It is good to devote a little time each day to God. The only way to control the mind and find peace is to chant the name of God and meditate on him.

Q: Please tell me how to meditate.

A: Meditate upon God within the shrine of your heart or visualize him present before you. Worship him mentally. Just as the ritualistic worshipper offers flowers, and waves incense and lights before the deity in the temple, so should you offer all the articles of worship mentally to the living presence enshrined within your heart. Do not waste any more time. Begin this very day. Practice japam and meditation once in the morning and once in the evening for at least two years. You will find great joy; spiritual emotions will arise; a new vision will open up. You are sure to find some result in two years. Some succeed even in a year. Stick to it! After a while you will find such joy that you will have no inclination to leave your meditation. Get yourself a new seat and use it only for your meditation. Sit straight, keep the right hand over the left, with the palms up. Hold your hands near the centre of your body in the region of the heart. Read sacred scriptures. When you sit down to meditate, do not begin the practice immediately. For a few minutes, banish all alien thoughts and make the mind blank.

14 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

If a day comes when you have a lot of work to do, you may meditate only once, or you may finish in ten or fifteen minutes. If the pressure of work is very great, fix your mind on God for a moment, then bow down to him and close your meditation. You can do this in exceptional cases, but not always.

Before meditation wash your hands and face. Observe the two following rules of moral conduct: speak the truth and look upon all women as incarnations of the Divine Mother. If you do these two things, you will find all other moral rules easy to follow.

Devote yourself to God. God is. Do not doubt his existence. I am telling you, my child, God is. Know for certain that he is.

Q: Maharaj, there are some who meditate in the shrine of the heart and others who meditate on the thousand-petaled lotus in the brain, but I like to meditate externally. I try to see my Chosen Ideal just as I am seeing you. Which is the proper way?

A: Meditation differs according to the individual temperament of the aspirant. As a rule, the best way is to meditate in the shrine of the heart. Consider the body as the temple and see the Lord installed therein. However, when once the mind becomes steady through meditation, then the aspirant can think of God anywhere; either at his side, or behind him, or in his heart, or anywhere else.

When the mind becomes absorbed, a shining light is first experienced in the mystic vision. With this vision, there comes a kind of higher and nobler joy, and the mind is reluctant to give up this joy and move onward. But if the aspirant goes further, the vision of the light will be concentrated into the form of the Chosen Ideal and the mind become merged in his consciousness.

Sometimes again in his mystic experience, the aspirant may hear the long-drawn-out, sacred word Om, and his mind becomes absorbed in that. There is no end to mystic visions and experiences. The more you advance, the more you realize that the realm of spiritual experience is unbounded, infinite.

15 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

There are some who think that they have already attained God if they see a radiant light. Do not be deluded in this way. You must attain nirvikalpa samadhi, where all consciousness of duality is obliterated. Some say that that state is the end of spiritual experiences, but I believe it is the beginning.

Q: It often happens that the mind, after making some progress, cannot advance further. Why is this so?

A: That is the weakness of the mind. The mind is limited by its capacity. All do not have the same mental power, but it can be developed.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that the power of the mind becomes strengthened by the practice of continence. A mind so strengthened is not overcome by lust and anger. Passions seem trivial to it.

In the path of spiritual progress many obstacles may arise. Evil, subtle influences may hinder your growth. Hence mudras and bhuta shuddhi and similar practices are prescribed in the ritualistic worship.

I see that the Lord is everything: the Lord is the cause, the Lord is the doer, the Lord is the instrument, and the Lord is the deed. He is all and everything. I see the Lord playing in so many forms.

Then who am I to give instruction? Why should people accept my words? But, you know, my child, that when the inspiration comes from the Lord, they do accept my words and follow them.

Q: Is grace conditional?

A: Sri Ramakrishna used to say that the breeze of grace is always blowing; but you must unfurl your sails.

He would also say: “When it is hot one needs a fan, but the moment a cool breeze comes, you stop fanning.”

Q: How does one know whether a man is having true mystic experiences or hallucinations?

A: The true spiritual vision brings a lasting bliss, and the mind is aware of the truth of the vision.

Q: What is the real function of mudras and other rituals in formal worship?

A: Rituals are great aids in the beginning of spiritual life. They help to remove many bad external influences which hinder an aspirant’s progress. You will notice sometimes that, as you go to meditate, your mind is tranquil. Within a few minutes, however, the mind is made restless by evil thoughts.

I had to suffer at one time from such influences.

Sri Ramakrishna watched me from a distance and knew my condition. He approached me and said, “I see that something is disturbing you.”

He wrote something on my tongue and uttered some words inaudibly. After that I was immediately free from the disturbing state.

If, however, the aspirant has advanced, these influences cannot touch him.

16 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Isn’t it difficult to live a purely contemplative life?

A: Do not give up because it seems hard. Try again. Through practice it becomes easy.

Q: Maharaj, what is austerity?

A: Austerities are of many kinds. Once I saw a man who had taken a vow not to sit or lie down for twelve years. When I met him, only five or six months remained of this period. Continuous standing for so many years had made his legs swell as they do in elephantiasis. When he slept, he held himself up by a rope. Some practice the austerity of standing all night in deep water in the winter and at the same time performing *japam*. Again, there is the austerity of sitting in the blazing summer sun in the centre of four fires.

Q: Maharaj, is that what austerity means?

A: Good gracious, no! Generally, men practice such austerities with the hope that in their next lives they may be born rich and find greater worldly enjoyments.

Q: What is real austerity?

A: Those are not real austerities. Anyone can practice them. The body is easily controlled, but it is another matter to control the mind. It is very difficult to renounce lust and greed, to give up the desire for name and fame. Real austerity is based upon these three principles: First, take refuge in the truth. Truth is the pillar to which you must always hold while performing any action. Second, conquer lust. Third, renounce all cravings. Observe these three principles. That is real austerity, and the greatest of these is to conquer lust. It has been declared in our scriptures that he who practices continence for twelve years can easily attain God. This is the most difficult task. I can tell you from my own experience that it is not possible to meditate properly unless you keep continent. The craving of lust is very subtle, and extremely difficult to control. That is why a spiritual aspirant must always be careful in associating with the opposite sex. Through continence a special power is stored up in the brain. If a man becomes established in continence, he will begin to see the expression of God everywhere. But remember, it is not possible to practice continence without devoting yourself to the practice of *japam*.

17 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj: Nowadays many feel that they should devote their lives to the service of their country and mankind. I believe this idea has taken hold of the minds of our people because of the influence of modern education. It is impossible to do any good to others unless one has already built up his own character. Those who have taken refuge in God and have received his grace can never make a false step. By their very living they do good to mankind. Their every word and action, the very way they behave, become a source of good to all. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “First hold on to the pillar!” That is, first realize God, who is the goal of human life. Know him first. Have intense faith in him, then go and serve others. When a man realizes God and works as his instrument, he finds peace in himself and gives peace to others. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “God is manifest in the hearts of his devotees, his children.” Therefore, we must be pure in heart; his home is in the heart of the pure. He stays far away from an impure heart. When our hearts become pure and transparent, when all impressions of the past have been wiped out, then only will he enshrine himself in our hearts, then only will he become manifest there.

18 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The pure mind receives a clear reflection of God. If the mirror is covered with dirt, it does not reflect, for the Lord’s reflection does not fall upon an unclean mind. You are all young now. Your minds are free from stain. Keep the shrine ready for him within your heart. Take care that nothing else finds room there. Be pure and tranquil. Realize him in this very life. Read only the sacred books. Those books which do not evoke love and faith in God are useless. They only make a man vain of his learning. My child, if you wish to make your life blessed, if you desire your own good, then dive deep into meditation. Do not float on the surface but repeat the name of the Lord and dive deep. Sri Ramakrishna was born in this age to teach mankind that dispassion is the ideal of human life. Man runs after objects of enjoyment and degrades himself to the level of the brute. If you want to make this human life worth living, take refuge in God. Give up the temporary happiness and seek eternal happiness. Renounce. Give up this world. Give up everything for the Lord. Make him your own. “You are our Father, you are our Mother, you are our Friend, you are our everything.” When we shall give up worldly enjoyments and pass our days thinking of God and contemplating him, then only shall we make our human lives blessed and inherit true happiness.

19 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Three conditions are essential for the realization of God: human birth, longing for liberation, and discipleship to an enlightened soul.

Through the grace of God, you have been blessed with all three. Make the best use of them and build your character in such a way that your life is not spent in vain.

Do not seek temporary pleasures, find the eternal happiness. Remember this one thing, it may be that in another human birth you will have the longing for liberation but you may not find the society of such enlightened souls as you now enjoy. It is a rare privilege, the result of great merit accumulated through many births. Through rare good fortune you have come within the orbit of Sri Ramakrishna. See that you do not waste your life in vain activities.

Faith! Have intense faith in the words of the guru and you will achieve everything. Without faith in the words of the guru, spiritual life is fruitless. Give yourself up to him as a kitten gives itself up to its mother. Then he will look after you, help you, and guide you.

How far can your intellect go? Take refuge in the guru. He, with his greater enlightenment, and sense of responsibility, understands more than you and will protect you from all pitfalls.

No harm can befall a disciple who is under the protecting wings of a guru.

Man makes many mistakes in life until he finds God. But if he takes refuge in his guru there is less possibility of mistakes.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that if the father takes hold of the child’s hand, there is no fear of its falling. Even so, if you make mistakes, the guru, in whom you have taken refuge, will wipe away all your impurities.

Without renunciation there is no peace. Be dispassionate. To find goodness and attain peace, give up everything for God. If he has the will, man can be dispassionate and realize God. Therefore, renounce all cravings and hold on tightly to him.

20 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

It is a rare privilege, the result of great merit accumulated through many births. Through rare good fortune you have come within the orbit of Sri Ramakrishna. See that you do not waste your life in vain activities. Faith! Have intense faith in the words of the guru and you will achieve everything. Without faith in the words of the guru, spiritual life is fruitless. Give yourself up to him as a kitten gives itself up to its mother. Then he will look after you, help you, and guide you. How far can your intellect go? Take refuge in the guru. He, with his greater enlightenment and sense of responsibility, understands more than you and will protect you from all pitfalls. No harm can befall a disciple who is under the protecting wings of a guru. Man makes many mistakes in life until he finds God. But if he takes refuge in his guru there is less possibility of mistakes. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that if the father takes hold of the child’s hand, there is no fear of its falling. Even so, if you make mistakes, the guru, in whom you have taken refuge, will wipe away all your impurities.

Without renunciation there is no peace. Be dispassionate. To find goodness and attain peace, give up everything for God. If he has the will, man can be dispassionate and realize God. Therefore, renounce all cravings and hold on tightly to him. Renunciation has nothing to do with the wearing of the religious habits. It is not for show. He alone is a real monk who has given himself up completely to God, keeping nothing for himself. “This body, this mind, this understanding — I offer everything to you. They are yours. Make them your instruments.” Pray to him unceasingly: “Lord, I do not know what is good or what is bad; I am yours, do with me as you please.” Pray! Pray unceasingly. Let him be your only refuge.

Another thing I want you to remember: through the grace of the Lord, you have come to understand that the goal of human life is to realize God. If people praise or blame you, if they honour or insult you, if you find any place in the world or not, if your body stands or falls — never move an inch from your principles or from your ideals. Say to yourself, “I must realize God in this life at all costs.” If you can mould your life in this way, then I shall know that you are a worthy child of Sri Ramakrishna. Then I shall know that you have made your life blessed by coming in contact with holy men.

21 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

One other point I wish to make clear in this connection. Who is the real guru? He must be an enlightened man. If a man does not know the path himself, how can he show it to others? Mantras, of course, are always potent, but when they are received from so-called gurus who trade in religion and are themselves blind, they cannot bring real peace or illumination. You have come to the children of Sri Ramakrishna; you are blessed indeed! He who is honest, faithful, and devoted will have to come within the orbit of Sri Ramakrishna, where alone in this age real peace is to be found. He who follows the ideal which Sri Ramakrishna embodies will become heir to eternal happiness. The disciples of Sri Ramakrishna know all the paths which lead to God. Proceed along the path into which you have been led and pray to your guru with a sincere heart. He will guide you, wherever he is. After leaving the body, the true guru lives on in the invisible realm; sometimes he reveals himself to his disciples, but always he helps and guides them, until they, too, attain illumination. Struggle! Struggle, my boy. Shake off all doubts. Plunge into your spiritual practices as taught by your guru. Never make a show of your spirituality but always practice in secret. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: “When you meditate, retire into a solitary corner, or a forest, and meditate within the secret chamber of your heart.” Make a little effort for a time, and you will discover what fun it is to live a contemplative life. You will be transformed. You have the protection of an enlightened soul. There is nothing to fear. You are sure to succeed.

22/08/2025

Swami Dayatmananda: 22 August 2025 Swami Advaitananda (Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

Jai Ramakrishna

Swami Dayatmananda: Swami Advaitananda (28 August 1828 – 28 December 1909) one of the direct disciples of Ramakrishna, was also known as Budo Gopal or the aged Gopal. He was older than Ramakrishna, and took monastic vows at an advanced age. He played a crucial role during the early years of Ramakrishna Mission.

Pre monastic days: Gopal Chandra Ghosh was born on 28 August 1828 in Rajpur (Jagaddal) village in 24 paraganas, a few miles from Calcutta, to Govardhan Sur (Ghosh). He lived in Sinthi in Calcutta. Little is known about his early life and education. He was an employee in a shop in Chinabazar, which belonged to Beni Madhav Pal, a member of the Brahmo Samaj, whose name appears in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Gopal was married and at the time of meeting Sri Ramakrishna for the first time he was more than 50 years old. At the death of his wife, he was taken by a friend to Ramakrishna to assuage his grief. On his first visit Gopal was not very impressed with Ramakrishna, but after a few more visits he became devoted to him, and served him in various ways, by buying provisions and running errands. Once Gopal distributed twelve ochre clothes in the presence of Sri Ramakrishna to the first bunch of monks of Ramakrishna order, which included Vivekananda. After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna, the "Baranagar Math" was started with Gopal as the first inmate. He was soon joined by Narendra Nath Dutta (later Vivekananda), Rakhal (later Brahmananda), Kali (later Abhedananda), Latu (later Adbhutananda) and other direct disciples of Ramakrishna.

Monastic life: In 1887 Gopal along with other disciples took up the monastic life and came to be known as Advaitananda (Advaita = Non-dualism, ananda = bliss). After staying for a few years in Baranagar Math, Advaitananda travelled to Benaras where he stayed for around 5 years. Here he stayed in a small room, where he rose at 4 a.m., every day and bathed in the Ganga river, after which he did his spiritual practices for the day. He lived on madhukari i.e. begging small quantities of cooked food from various places, as per the injunctions of the scriptures. He spent time mostly in contemplation. When Swami Vivekananda returned to India after his visit to the west, Advaitananda returned to Alambazar, where the Ramakrishna Math had moved to. Afterwards, when the new monastery in Belur Math was established, he used to stay mostly there and looked after gardening and other managerial affairs. Even in his old age he was self-sufficient. After his return to the monastery, Advaitananda's special duty was to look to the levelling of the newly purchased land at Belur and the repair of the old structures there. The land had been in use for repair of steamers etc. and was hence full of pits and canals. All this meant strenuous work. When the monastery became fully established there, he took up the duty of looking after the comforts of the monks and producing food. 23/08/2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: How many hours should one who is living a purely contemplative life devote to study, worship and meditation?

A: Devote as much time as possible. Those who lead a purely meditative life should spend at least sixteen hours every day in japa and meditation. With practice you will be able to prolong this period. The more the mind is absorbed within, the greater will be the joy of meditation; and when once you taste joy in your spiritual practices, the desire to continue in them will grow. Then you will no longer have to ask how long you should meditate. Your own mind will tell you. Before you reach this stage, you must see that you spend two-thirds of your day in the practice of japa and meditation, and the rest of the time in the study of sacred books and in self-analysis. The more intensely you analyze yourself the more you will understand the condition of your own mind, and you will be able to eliminate the subtler cravings. When you are able to free yourself from these deep-seated, subtle desires, when the mind becomes tranquil, then only can you become deeply absorbed in real meditation. The practice of japa and meditation brings the aspirant to this stage. Spiritual disciplines are practiced to bring purity and tranquillity to the mind. If you practice japa and meditation and the mind still does not become tranquil, or you do not taste joy in God, then you may know you are not practicing properly.

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Sometimes the mind does not like to practice meditation. What should I do then? Should I occupy myself in the study of sacred books, or should I force myself to meditate?

A: The mind rebels against effort. It always seeks ease and comfort, but if you wish to attain anything you must force it to struggle. That is the only way to make your mind steady. If you find it difficult to sit for long hours, lie down on your bed and practice japa. If you feel sleepy, walk and make japa. Only thus can you steady your mind and make meditation your second nature. Should you give up meditation because the mind does not like it? If you go on in that way you can never learn to meditate. Regular war must be waged against the mind. To force the mind to obey you is the ideal of spiritual discipline.

Q: Should one observe the vow of silence during this period of intense contemplation?

A: Both forced silence and wild indulgence in talk are equally harmful. What is the use of checking your speech merely? Check the wanderings of the mind, that is the important thing. Avoid unnecessary talk and keep your mind on God who is Silence itself. That is the real meaning of the vow of silence. Forcible restraint of speech brings evil effects. Maharaj, I cannot do anything by myself. Bless me, that I may have faith in you and in the Lord.

23 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: How many hours should one who is living a purely contemplative life devote to study, worship and meditation?

A: Devote as much time as possible. Those who lead a purely meditative life should spend at least sixteen hours every day in *japa* and meditation. With practice you will be able to prolong this period. The more the mind is absorbed within, the greater will be the joy of meditation; and when once you taste joy in your spiritual practices, the desire to continue in them will grow. Then you will no longer have to ask how long you should meditate. Your own mind will tell you. Before you reach this stage, you must see that you spend two-thirds of your day in the practice of *japa* and meditation, and the rest of the time in the study of sacred books and in self-analysis. The more intensely you analyze yourself the more you will understand the condition of your own mind, and you will be able to eliminate the subtler cravings. When you are able to free yourself from these deep-seated, subtle desires, when the mind becomes tranquil, then only can you become deeply absorbed in real meditation. The practice of *japa* and meditation brings the aspirant to this stage. Spiritual disciplines are practiced to bring purity and tranquillity to the mind. If you practice *japa* and meditation and the mind still does not become tranquil, or you do not taste joy in God, then you may know you are not practicing properly.

24 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Q: Sometimes the mind does not like to practice meditation. What should I do then? Should I occupy myself in the study of sacred books, or should I force myself to meditate?

A: The mind rebels against effort. It always seeks ease and comfort, but if you wish to attain anything you must force it to struggle. That is the only way to make your mind steady. If you find it difficult to sit for long hours, lie down on your bed and practice japa. If you feel sleepy, walk and make japa. Only thus can you steady your mind and make meditation your second nature. Should you give up meditation because the mind does not like it? If you go on in that way you can never learn to meditate. Regular war must be waged against the mind. To force the mind to obey you is the ideal of spiritual discipline.

Q: Should one observe the vow of silence during this period of intense contemplation?

A: Both forced silence and wild indulgence in talk are equally harmful. What is the use of checking your speech merely? Check the wanderings of the mind, that is the important thing.

Avoid unnecessary talk and keep your mind on God who is Silence itself. That is the real meaning of the vow of silence. Forcible restraint of speech brings evil effects.

Maharaj, I cannot do anything by myself. Bless me, that I may have faith in you and in the Lord. Bless me, that I may understand your grace and have it always.

Swami: Never lose faith in yourself. The Lord will do everything for you. Have faith in him. Repeat his name. He will reveal the truth to you. Do not be restless. Have patience and go on struggling. Struggle, and you will surely reach the Reality. Waste no more precious time in unnecessary thoughts or metaphysical speculations.

Pray to the Lord that cravings may never arise in you. The Lord’s grace shines upon all. Strive a little and your eyes will open to his grace.

Why did God create us? So that we may love him.

25 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna’s parable of the milkmaid and the brahmin priest:

A milkmaid used to supply milk to a brahmin priest on the other side of the river. Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, the woman was sometimes late. One day the priest rebuked her for the delay, and she explained that sometimes she had to wait a long time for the boatman to ferry her across. The priest said: “But my good woman! People cross the ocean of life by uttering the name of God. Cannot you cross even this little river?”

From that day forward she was never late with the milk. One day the priest asked her why it was that she was never late anymore, and she said simply: “I take the name of God and cross the river just as you told me!”

The priest was astonished, and wanted to see for himself, so he went to the river with the woman, and watched her as she uttered the name of God and started to walk across the water. Halfway across, the woman turned and saw the priest following her, timidly holding his skirt up out of the water, and she said: “How is it, Sir, that you are repeating the name of the Lord and at the same time holding up your skirt to keep it dry? Have you no faith?”

26 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna’s Parable of the wood-cutter:

A woodcutter, going into the forest to gather wood, met a monk who said: “Go deeper into the wood.” The woodcutter did as he was told and soon came to a large group of sandalwood trees. He stayed there for a while, and then he began to think: “The monk told me to go deeper into the wood; he did not tell me to stop here.” So he continued his journey, and as he went farther and farther into the wood he discovered first a silver mine, then a gold mine, until at last he came upon a mine filled with diamonds and other precious stones.

Grace is needed. Without God's grace, nothing can be achieved. One should pray to God intensely for His grace. Prayer is very effective. He answers our prayers. Practice every day according to your convenience—even if it is only for five minutes. Night is the best time for meditation. At that time the brain remains cool and is not agitated if you practise for long hours. Moreover, at that time nature is serene, which is favourable for spiritual practice. It is always good to practise meditation in solitude.

Work is worship. Motivated by the desire for name and fame, one can perform spectacular work, but in this way one's work cannot be properly appraised. One's day-to-day activities will have to be observed, for it is the ordinary actions of a person which reveal his true character. A real karma-yogi entirely dedicates himself and performs every action as worship, even an ordinary action. He is never prompted by the least desire for winning cheap, popular applause.

27 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Swami: Who cannot do a job if it is of his own choice? Where then lies the difference between a karma yogi and an ordinary worker? A true karma-yogi knows all work belongs to God, so he welcomes any work that comes his way and gradually adjusts himself to its requirements. Simply carrying out some undertaking is not sufficient. It must be done in the right spirit, knowing that one is serving the Lord without any motive. Keep three-fourths of your mind fixed on God, and with the remaining one-fourth do whatever you have to do. If you follow this method, you will be an ideal karma-yogi and you will attain peace and joy. On the other hand, if you only get involved with activities without practising meditation, ego and pride will crop up and quarrels and dissensions will ensue, thus disturbing the equanimity of your mind. Therefore, I tell you, stick to your sadhana whether you work or not.

Swami Brahmananda observed that a disciple had just broken a bottle. My goodness! You have broken that bottle! It is a very bad sign. You work with such a restless mind. Why do you think about hundreds of things while engaged in work? No great work—whether spiritual or secular—is possible with an unsteady mind. Whether it is a lofty undertaking or a humble chore, it must be done with concentration. Let me tell you, those who are steady in ordinary work are also steady in their spiritual exercises. If you want to work in the right spirit, remember these two principles: First, you must have love for the work, and second, you must not seek the results of your work. This is the secret of karma yoga.

8/26/25, 9:48 PM – Today is the Holy Ganesh Chaturthi. On this Holy day May Lord Ganesha bless us all with Bhakti.

28 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Always remember, you are working for the Lord. When these basic principles of karma yoga are forgotten, all problems begin and one cannot succeed in either spiritual life or secular work. Each and every work is equally important— whether it is meditation or household duties. Do it with the right spirit. Work is worship. The Bhagavad Gita says that man can attain nirvana, liberation, through karma yoga. But it is a difficult path. One needs a cool brain, discrimination, and dispassion to perform karma yoga. Otherwise, one drowns in the waves of karma. Truly speaking, it is only after realization that one really becomes fit to perform karma.

On Sri Ramakrishna And Swami Vivekananda

On one occasion Sri Ramakrishna said: “One day as I was meditating in the Kali Temple, I saw in a vision the veils of maya disappearing one after another. In another vision the Divine Mother showed me the light of Brahman, which surpassed the light of even millions of suns together. I then saw that a luminous form emerged from that infinite light and again merged back into its source. I experienced that the formless Brahman took a form and again became formless.” The temple garden of Dakshineswar, which Rani Rasmani had built, provided everything Sri Ramakrishna needed for practising sadhana. If you have true faith, love, and devotion, God will provide everything you need. A monk saved ten thousand rupees in a bank. Hearing this, the Master said, “He who calculates pros and cons and plans for the future will ruin his spiritual life.”

29 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

The temple garden of Dakshineswar, which Rani Rasmani had built, provided everything Sri Ramakrishna needed for practising sadhana. If you have true faith, love, and devotion, God will provide everything you need. A monk saved ten thousand rupees in a bank. Hearing this, the Master said, “He who calculates pros and cons and plans for the future will ruin his spiritual life.”

Once I was meditating in the Panchavati at noon when the Master was talking about the manifestation of Brahman as sound [Shabda-Brahman]. Listening to that discussion, even the birds in the Panchavati began to sing Vedic songs and I heard them. Sri Ramakrishna used to encourage everybody to practise meditation. A person falls from spiritual life if he does not practise meditation regularly. The Master asked his guru Totapuri, “You have attained perfection, so why do you still practise meditation?” Pointing to his shining brass pot, Totapuri replied, “If you do not clean brass every day, it will be covered with stains.” The Master used to say: “The sign of true meditation is that one forgets one's surroundings and body. One will not feel even a crow sitting on one's head.” Sri Ramakrishna attained that state. Once while he was meditating in the natmandir, a crow sat on his head.

A great man is born and not made. What bold and prophetic words were uttered by Swami Vivekananda! He said: “Whoever will go and try to imitate me in that land [America] will become bound. He will surely be ensnared.” In India, who earned greater name and fame than Swamiji? When he left America, he left behind all his costly robes, and on reaching India he put on an ochre cloth like Indian monks. Bare-footed, he would go to Calcutta and come back. And like an ordinary man in the public road, he would buy chanachur [a mixture of fried grams and nuts] to eat. Sometimes we gave him a pair of shoes to wear and he would accept them. What tremendous fame and honour he earned, but he possessed the power to digest that honour and glory. He used to move around like an insignificant person. The pomp and luxury of the West could not corrupt his mind at all. That is why it is said, a great man is born, not made.

30 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

It is extremely difficult to practise spiritual disciplines in solitude. You must have love for God and dispassion for the world. In the beginning there is every possibility of falling if you try to live by yourself. For that reason, it is better to have a companion. Two people who have similar natures and interest in spiritual life can help each other. If there are more than two persons together, however, it becomes a club. Then they indulge in gossip, which is very injurious to spiritual life. The mind becomes scattered on all sorts of worldly matters and forgets God.

• *

To tell a lie is a great sin. A drunkard or a man who frequents houses of ill fame may be trusted, but never a liar. To lie is the blackest of all sins in this world.

• *

Do not find fault with others or criticize them. Such a habit is harmful to yourself. By thinking day and night of the bad qualities of others, those same qualities will be imprinted on your mind and eventually your good qualities will be wiped out. It is not your business to go poking your nose into others' lives. Follow your own path and reach the goal. Try to see others' good qualities. If you find a little good in a person, magnify it, appreciate it, and respect it. This will make you free from narrowness and jealousy. He is truly a great person who sees greatness in others.

31 August 2025

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Never neglect a person, no matter how sinful he may be. Give him your love, make him your own, and guide him in overcoming his weaknesses. Good and evil are in every human being. It is easy to see evil in others, but he is a holy man who can overlook their evil qualities and help them to become good and holy.

• *

The heart must be purified. The whole world is filled with fear. Spiritual life is full of struggles. Subdue the subtle enemies such as lust, anger, and greed. At every step you will have to control your worldly desires, for otherwise they will certainly ensnare you. Pray silently and strengthen your willpower. Gradually everything will become favourable for you.

• *

Samadhi is of two kinds: savikalpa and nirvikalpa. In savikalpa samadhi, one experiences the mystic vision of divine forms without losing one's individual consciousness. What a shame that people are busy with trifling, mundane things and do not practise samadhi! God is your very own. Realize Him. In nirvikalpa samadhi, one experiences cosmic consciousness transcending name and form. In this samadhi, one loses one's individuality and the whole universe disappears. Swami Vivekananda attained nirvikalpa samadhi at Cossipore garden house. He had tremendous control over himself, so very few people knew about it. Besides these two, there is yet another kind of samadhi called ananda samadhi, or blissful samadhi. If an ordinary person experiences this samadhi, his body and mind cannot withstand that upsurge of bliss, and his prana [vital breath] departs from his body through the crown of his head [Brahma-randhra, or the passage of Brahman]. One cannot live more than twenty-one days after attaining ananda samadhi.

1 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Thoughts on Vedanta

On a certain occasion, as Sri Ramachandra was sitting in his court attended by sages and seers, he saw Hanuman before him, and with a view to gratifying all kinds of his devotees asked the latter, “Hanuman, how do you look upon me?” Hanuman, “the best among the intelligent,” thought within himself that there must be some great purpose behind such a query from the Lord, the inner controller, to whom nothing was unknown. Revolving thus, Hanuman replied, “When I am identified with the body, I am Thy servant; when I regard myself as the individual soul, I am part of Thee; and when I look upon myself as the Self, I am verily Thee—this is my firm conviction.”

Hanuman has, here, revealed the attitudes of all worshippers. This is the final view of all the schools of Vedanta. It gives nobody any cause for despair; on the contrary, it assigns to everybody his right place. The attitude of the servant—Thou art the Lord and I am Thy servant—is for those who have not been able to rise above the body idea. Those who look upon themselves as individual souls and have risen above the body idea without fully realizing it—for them is the attitude of part and whole—“Thou art the whole and I am Thy part.”

And those who have realized their Selfhood take up the attitude of identity—I am Thee. Thou and I are one—there is no difference there. These are the three attitudes—dualistic, qualified non-dualistic, and non-dualistic. Sri Ramachandra made Hanuman, the crest-jewel among devotees, declare the final truth about the three attitudes to please all the devotees present in his court. This is the final commentary on the ultimate truth of the Vedanta.

2 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiyananda)

[Thoughts on Vedanta]

None need despair. Everybody is worshipping That One and is related to Him whatever may be the state he is in. “I am centered in the hearts of all: memory and perception as well as their loss come from Me. I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas. I indeed am the Author of the Vedanta, and the knower of the Veda am I.” (Gita XV—15.)

The One conscious Existent, the Supreme Person, the all in all, pervades and permeates everything. He is verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas; He indeed is the author of the Vedanta, and the Knower of the Veda. To know this is to know Vedanta. Further, without this realization, no one can know the real truth of Vedanta even if he swallows the whole literature of Vedanta. I have taken it to be so.

And further, I have taken the Master’s saying, “My Mother and I.” It is the attitude of the child. The child cares for nothing except the mother; its love is undivided. He is all in all. “Or what avails thee to know all this diversity, O Arjuna? (Know thou this, that) I exist, supporting this whole world by a portion of Myself.” (Gita X—42.) He pervades the whole world by one part of Him, while the rest is always free and beyond everything. The Vedas too have sung: “The entire world of being is a quarter of Him, while the three-quarters are the immortal heaven.”

So much with regard to Brahman. And as regards the individual: if he has the body idea, God becomes the Lord and he the servant; if he feels himself to be the individual self, God becomes the whole and the individual the part; and when the individual feels himself to be the Self, there is no more any feeling of difference. Then he becomes one with the Supreme Self and says: “I am but Thee.”

3 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas. I indeed am the Author of the Vedanta, and the knower of the Veda am I. (Gita.XV—15.)

The One conscious Existent, the Supreme Person, the all in all, pervades and permeates everything. He is verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas; He indeed is the author of the Vedanta, and the Knower of the Veda. To know this is to know Vedanta. Further, without this realization, no one can know the real truth of Vedanta, even if he swallows the whole literature of Vedanta. I have taken it to be so.

And further, I have taken the Master’s saying, “My Mother and I”. It is the attitude of the child. The child cares for nothing except the mother; its love is undivided. He is all in all. “Or what avails thee to know all this diversity, O Arjuna? (Know thou this, that) I exist, supporting this whole world by a portion of Myself.” (Gita.X—42.) He pervades the whole world by one part of Him, while the rest is always free and beyond everything. The Vedas too have sung: “The entire world of being is a quarter of Him, while the three-quarters are the immortal heaven.”

So much with regard to Brahman. And as regards the individual: if he has the body idea, God becomes the Lord and he the servant; if he feels himself to be the individual self, God becomes the whole and the individual the part; and when the individual feels himself to be the Self, there is no more any feeling of difference. Then he becomes one with the Supreme Self and says: “I am but Thee.”

17th June 1915

Swami S.T: "One may have any amount of Samadhi and Dhyana (spiritual concentration and meditation), but one must never forget to love Him. What is the use of this life if one does not love Him?"

Swami: "Yes, one is bound to admit that 'when one feels oneself as body, one must consider oneself as the servant of the Lord; when one thinks oneself as the Jiva, the individual soul, one must consider oneself as a part of Him; and when one feels oneself as the Atman (Self), one is the same as the Lord Himself.' How can a man who runs for a remedy at the slightest suffering, refuse to submit to the Lord?"

Shri Ramakrishna Kathamrita* (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) was being read. Swami S. observed: "Dakshineswar was in those days as divine and blissful as Kailasa. From morning till one in the afternoon, all were busy preparing for the worship of the Deities and then worshipping them; while Shri Ramakrishna himself was always talking about God, and people sat spellbound listening to him. The atmosphere vibrated with thoughts of God. Even his jokes and funs related to God and culminated in Samadhi. He would rest after the midday meal, but only for a short while. The rest of his day was given to discoursing about God. In the evening, he would visit the Kali temple and there fan the Mother, then return to his room reeling under divine intoxication. He would often ask those who practised Sadhana if they felt a kind of intoxication in the morning and evening. At night there was scarcely any sleep for him. No sooner had he lain down than he would get up and rouse all who slept in his room, saying, 'Do not sleep so much. Get up and meditate.' He would then lie down again and get up by early dawn and recite the names of God in his inimitable sweet voice. Others also would get up and sit down to Japa and meditation. Now and then he would go up to them and correct their postures."

4 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "In order to realize the Self, you have to scale the highest peak of renunciation. Is it easy to detach the mind from all objects? Only a hero can do that. The external objects are ever trying to enter your mind and conquer you. In the mind itself there are many layers, one upon another. It is no use merely closing the eyes and ears."

Swami: "X… wants to finish studying Raja Yoga quickly. But we poured out our very life in this quest. We have been doing this ever since our childhood. Yet even now the mind has not been purified. There are still attachment and hatred in it. O Lord, make me the servant of the servant of Thy servant! Egotism is no good; it is extremely pernicious. Egotism is like drinking wine; it leads astray the senses. The Master used to say that water accumulates only in a low land. Only in humility the good qualities of the mind and heart become manifest. Pride always holds the head high. That which is elastic and unbreakable like steel, that indeed is strength. He alone is strong, who can live in harmony with different natures in a spirit of amicable compromise. Make yourself for ever His, then there will be no more fear. Swamiji (Vivekananda) used to say, 'Since you have been born on earth, leave a lasting mark on it.' At the Baranagore Math he said, 'Let me tell you, our names will be recorded in history.' Swami Yogananda ridiculed him. But Swamiji replied, 'Well, well, you will see, I can convince everyone of the truths of Vedanta. If you will not listen to me, I shall go to the Pariah villages and teach Vedanta to the villagers.'"

5 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Swami: "If you want to preach, you must also give something. Preaching is not merely lecturing to a class or explaining a book. You have to give them something. Therefore, you must accumulate spirituality beforehand. And never pride yourself on your having gained control over the passions. If you do, they will at once raise their heads. Ever pray to Him, 'O Lord, save me from them.'

"There are several obstructions to concentration: Laya, Vikshepa, Kashaya, Rasasvada. Laya is the mind being overcome by Tamas (inertia)—the mind falls asleep and loses consciousness. Most aspirants are held down by Laya. Vikshepa is the scattering of the mind on multifarious objects. Kashaya is finding meditation distasteful—one feels disinclined to meditate. But one must still persist. Rasasvada is the mind being fascinated by the vision of divine forms and refusing to ascend higher. Passions will last so long as the body lasts. But through His grace they cannot raise their heads."

Swami: "It is not good merely to work. Work is drudgery if there is no spiritual feeling behind it."

The Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna* by M. was read. In one passage Shri Ramakrishna was mentioned as saying, "It is not true that He can be realized through work. But through unselfish work grows the eager longing to realize Him. This eager longing draws down His grace, and then man realizes Him."

Apropos of this, the Swami said, "A little casual reading of the scriptures and a little meditation are not enough to realize the Lord. You must yearn to see Him. The heart must pant and pine for Him. The Master said to us, 'It is because I had such intense longing for the Mother that She gave me every convenience—She gave me this Kali Temple and Mathur Babu. If there is sincere longing for God, everything becomes favourable.' There is no other way than Bhakti."

6 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Swami: “A little casual reading of the scriptures and a little meditation are not enough to realize the Lord. You must yearn to see Him. The heart must pant and pine for Him. The Master said to us, ‘It is because I had such intense longing for the Mother that She gave me every convenience—She gave me this Kali Temple and Mathur Babu. If there is sincere longing for God, everything becomes favourable.’ ‘There is no other way than Bhakti.’”

Swami: “When we meditate on His lotus-feet the senses will withdraw of themselves and the mind will lose itself in Him. Ramaprasada says in a song that devotion is at the root of all spiritual achievements. Ramaprasad was in a sense the ideal of Shri Ramakrishna. The Master used to say, ‘Mother, Thou hast revealed Thyself to Ramaprasad; why shouldst Thou not to me?’ The Master’s teaching is Bhakti tempered with Jnana.”

Swami: “‘When will that day come when the very utterance of the name of God will bring tears to my eyes?’ (To a devotee) Do you cry when you take His name? Ah, what a supernal condition! Just think! The very utterance of His name makes you cry!”

Swami: “When I first used to go to the Master, I would often feel inclined to cry. One night I cried much on the riverside near the Bakula tree. Just at that time the Master in his room was enquiring where I had gone. When I returned to him, he asked me to sit down and said, ‘The Lord is greatly pleased if one cries to Him. The tears of love wash away all mental impurities accumulated through ages. It is very good to cry to God.’ ‘Another day I was meditating in the Panchavati grove. My concentration became very deep. Just then the Master came towards me from the side of the Jhau tree. As soon as he looked at me, I burst into tears. The Master stood still. I felt something creeping up inside my bosom, and I was overcome by an irrepressible fit of shaking. The Master remarked that this crying was not for nothing, it was a sort of ecstasy. I then followed him to his room where he gave me something to eat. The awakening of the Kundalini was an easy matter for him. He could do this even without touching, by merely standing near by.’”

7 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "Man is trying hard to make himself happy. But nothing succeeds unless He wills it. Freedom can be realized in two ways: by identifying oneself with Him and by living in eternal self-surrender to Him. There can be no freedom of will away from Him. Reliance on one's apparent self leads to ruin. To presume to be all-knowing is extremely harmful. Self-reliance or self-confidence means faith in the Higher Self. To persist in remaining what one already is or in holding on to one's preconceived opinions at any cost—such self-importance is bad."

Swami: "One must have the capacity to love. Oh, how madly we used to love in our boyhood! I loved my brothers so much that the thought of renouncing them to become a Sannyasin used to make me cry. But afterwards the Master snapped these ties one by one. Sri Ramakrishna asked S.: 'Whom do you love?'

S. said: 'I do not love anyone.'

'Oh, you dry fellow!' the Master remarked."

Swami: "You can never be emancipated by adoring a man as man; you must look upon him as God. However great he may be in spiritual wisdom and dispassionateness, however highly endowed he may be with spiritual powers, the worship of man will not bring your liberation if you do not perceive him as God Himself. Without such a consciousness, such worship may serve to communicate to you his spiritual qualities and powers, but nothing more. But if you worship a divine Incarnation, knowing him as such or not, he will surely grant you God-realization."

8 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Shishupala attained God-realization even by hating Shri Krishna. The Gopis realized God even though they considered Shri Krishna as only their lover. A Gopi was shut up in her room by her husband. Her intense anguish at being separated from Shri Krishna destroyed her sins; and the joy she felt by meditating on Him destroyed her religious merits (Punya); and she was liberated.

A devotee: "But we are told that when devotion grows intense, one forgets the Divine majesties of God."

Swami: "That is after the devotee has realized God. God then, carefully obliterates all consciousness of Divine powers to approach Him closer and closer. The Gopis were not ordinary human beings. Theirs were spiritual bodies. Continence is essential for Divine realization. If one can maintain Brahmacharya for twenty-eight years, one will realize Bhakti, Jnana, everything. Lust is called Manasija, 'born in the mind'. Only a hero can conquer the senses and go beyond them to the superconscious planes."

"I do not agree with you if you consider stubbornness as strength. Stubbornness is a cloak for weakness. The weak put it on in order to hide their weakness. Real strength knows how to bend and yet regain its true position."

Swami: "His (Shri Ramakrishna's) initiation was no ordinary thing; he would wake up spiritual consciousness at once. He would write some characters on the tongue and the disciple would feel something heaving up, wave after wave, within his chest. He, once, asked me if I would like to have Abhisheka (a Tantrika initiation). I said, 'I do not know.' 'Then you need not have it,' he replied."

9 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Swami: "We have seen with our own eyes and heard with our own ears. The tremendous enthusiasm of Swami Vivekananda for God-realization used to dumb-found us and make us despair of ourselves, despite all encouragement and assurance from the Master. And we would think that this life would go in vain, without realizing God. But at last favourable days came through the grace of the Master."

"You will be struck dumb with wonder if I tell you the story of Swami Vivekananda. Once in those days he wrote to me that he was passing his days like the crows, feeding himself—devoid of self-respect, at the houses of others in great fear."

Swami: "'There is no one else, He alone is my all in all', when you will feel like this and will not rely on anything, then only will you be right. Now you are depending on earthly things, on wealth, men, and learning. Even great scholars get mad by a single screw getting loose in the brain. We do not rely on God. We rely on our money, our relations, our friends. But 'O king, know that He is the treasure of those who have nothing.' When nothing will intervene between you and Him, then you will realize Him."

"Shri Krishna had broken all the ties of the Gopis. But their sense of shame still remained. That tie also he broke at last. When the Lord sees that man is finding it hard to give up anything for Him, then He Himself takes it away. 'O Lord, take all things away.' Extreme self-abnegation and self-abasement are the sine qua non of true Vairagya, passionlessness and renunciation. He who possesses nothing, to him alone the Lord comes."

10 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiyananda)

If, O man, thou wilt cross the ocean of relative existence, thou must give up desires for earthly things.

The Master used to say, “Do whatever you like after making the knowledge of Brahman your own.” That is to say, know the Lord as the soul of your soul, the life of your life, the eye of your eye, and love Him. Nothing else than this, such as asking things of God; this is true devotion. Supreme devotion cannot be had so long as there is the slightest desire in the mind.

The book *My Master* was being read. Apropos of the passage, “Do you think then that a man firmly persuaded that there is a Reality behind all these appearances, one who is infinite bliss, a bliss compared with which these pleasures of the senses are simply playthings, can rest contented without struggling to attain It?”, the Swami said: “Just see! Our God is only a verbal affair. A little meditation, a little Japa, this is a poor sort of life. The heart must burst hungering for Him. An intense anguish must fill it and life should seem to go out without Him, only then it will be right. Nothing short of complete self-surrender to Him will do. You call Him the Inner controller (Antaryami), omniscient, and omnipresent, and yet you are afraid to surrender yourself to Him!

Thinkest thou that thou wilt realize Mother by thy hypocritical devotion? No, no, this is not a sweet in a child's hand that thou wilt cajole it out of Her.

You cannot deceive God. He sees all. ‘Thou art the doer, not I; Thou art the mechanic, I am the machine.’ ‘I am a jealous God.’

If you love anything else than God and do not renounce all for Him, you cannot realize Him.”

11 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Swami: "Nobody wants God. Men want to get rid of their misery, to enjoy life. To conceive a 'motiveless' love for Him is very difficult. I knew a man who used to cry for solitude. But one day he asked, 'Shall I marry again?"'

"Whenever Swamiji (Vivekananda) said 'I', he identified it with the all-comprehensive I. When we say I, we identify it with the body, the senses, and the mind. Hence, we have to say, 'the servant ‘I', 'the devotee ‘I'.

Swamiji would never identify his 'I' with any adjunct of the Self, he would identify himself with Brahman and go beyond body, mind, and intellect. This was his central and normal mood, and in that he used to pass the greatest part of his time.

But such a mood does not come to us. We are living separate from Him. Hence, we have to say 'Thou' and 'Thine' in reference to God."

A devotee: "In order to realize the cosmic 'I', should those who are dualistic in spiritual practice, study books on Advaita?"

Swami: "The Master used to say, 'Do whatever you like after making the knowledge of oneness your own.' The true devotees always say 'Thou' and 'Thine', that is to say, 'O Lord, Thou art everything, and everything is Thine.' Wherein does this differ from Advaita?

But if a devotee says ‘I’ and 'mine' and feels himself separate from and independent of Him, it is an extremely harmful dualism. Such a devotee is greatly deluded.

The Master would often repeat 'Not I, not I', 'Thou, Thou', I am Thy servant, I am Thy servant'. A devotee must completely renounce all ‘I’ and 'mine'.

How often Ramaprasad engaged himself in a loving quarrel with the Divine Mother and coaxed and cajoled Her! Such an intense and condensed spiritual mood must be realized-like water condensed into ice. Only then can we have a vision of His Divine forms. Gopaler Ma saw Gopala following her gathering fire-wood for her, and Shri Ramakrishna saw Ramlala going about with him. It is the intensity of spiritual feeling that counts.

12 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

The Master used to say, “Do whatever you like after making the knowledge of oneness your own.” The true devotees always say “Thou” and “Thine”; that is to say, “O Lord, Thou art everything, and everything is Thine.” Wherein does this differ from Advaita? But if a devotee says “I” and “mine” and feels himself separate from and independent of Him, it is an extremely harmful dualism. Such a devotee is greatly deluded. The Master would often repeat, “Not I, not I,” “Thou, Thou,” “I am Thy servant, I am Thy servant.” A devotee must completely renounce all “I” and “mine.” How often Ramaprasad engaged himself in a loving quarrel with the Divine Mother and coaxed and cajoled Her! Such an intense and condensed spiritual mood must be realized—like water condensed into ice. Only then can we have a vision of His Divine forms. Gopaler Ma saw Gopala following her gathering fire-wood for her, and Shri Ramakrishna saw Ramlala going about with him. It is the intensity of spiritual feeling that counts.

Whether you believe in His form or formlessness, it does not matter. “O lotus, what kind of love is thine? Thou givest only the smile of thy face to the sun thy husband, but thy honey thou yieldest to the bee!” If one considers God to be all in all, how can one find joy in worldly things? Eating, sleeping, fear, and sexual intercourse—these are common features of both animals and man. The speciality of man is that he has knowledge and can distinguish right from wrong. The lower a man is, the greater is his joy in sense-objects. The higher he is, the greater is his pleasure in knowledge, a subtle joy which low natures cannot appreciate. See how people are spending their days in drinking, hunting, and running after women—just like beasts. What advantage is gained, being born a man, if we do not refine and elevate our faculties? Those who have a refined mind can never stoop to these things. You want to go to the West? What is the use of making the mind outgoing? Absorb yourself in meditation and be lost in Him. It would be excellent if you could spend five years in exclusive meditation of the Master. Then the West and East would become one. “I do not care a rap for history or other things; God is everything for me.” What a beautiful saying! The stick of ego is lying on the waters of Satchidananda. This is making the waters appear as divided. Desires create the ego. Desires keep us apart from God. But one day we shall have to eradicate all desires and call on Him. What if the body goes while calling on Him?

13 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

However great a man may be, whatever great deeds he may be doing, some day he will have to be desireless. After that, of course, he may work again through the will of God. But if you work at the command of a Mahapurusha, a man of realization, to whom you have surrendered your all and who seeks your good, work will not tighten your bondage; on the other hand, it will break it.

Always pray to Him that you may not forget Him. Pray, “Do not give me such work to do as will make me forget Thee; and wherever Thou keepest me, may I ever remember Thee!” But do not say to Him, “Give me this,” “Do not give me that.” It will be a selfish prayer. When you want to do one thing and do not want to do another, you allow your ego to come in. Some there are who are afraid of work and try to avoid it. That makes their bondage and selfishness lasting. Pray to Him for Bhakti. But be ever ready to obey His commands. Pray, “May I keep Thee in mind under all conditions! May I never fall into any other company than that of Thy devotees!”

We must know once for all that everything happens at His will. Many clever persons were born in this world, but what has been their end? Everything comes about and is destroyed at His will. This organization of ours, will it last forever? No, this also will one day degrade, and then the Lord will have to incarnate again.

A Brahmana is a spiritual beggar. He must not provide even for two days. He must be completely absorbed in God. Those who have not good reasoning powers become easily biased towards one side. Swamiji had equally the power to explain and to feel.

Jai Ramakrishna.

14 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

Swamiji knew the defects of people and yet forgave them.

A devotee: “Cannot the mind remain alert and awake of itself?”

Swami: “But can that state come automatically? You must practise first. Try consciously to correct yourself first; then you will find that your mind has become its own monitor. People want to reach that state at once. The pure portion in you is God Himself. The impure portion is yourself. When you say ‘I’, you really mean that impure portion. The more you think of Him, the more He will grow in you, and at last the impure portion will vanish completely. There are some who are extremely reserved. They raise high walls around them and do not allow anyone to see their inside. This is very bad. One cannot realize God without being frank and sincere.”

“The more you free yourself of egotism and become His instrument, the more you will realize peace. The more you feel that God is the only doer, not you, the more will your heart be filled with peace.”

“At first we also thought Nirvana to be the highest state of realization. How often the Master rebuked us for this! He used to say that it was a mean conception. I would be amazed to hear him call Nirvana a mean conception.”

Swami Vivekananda’s lecture on Vedantism was read. The Swami said: “His words have melted away into the air. With all your renunciation and your learning, what have you been doing? Days are passing, but you are simply vegetating. Who ever feels or says as the Master did at the end of each day, ‘O Mother, the day is gone, yet I have not seen Thee!’? You are damp, spiritless, and inactive. Do you not feel your blood wax hot when you read the words of Swamiji? ‘Who is living-dead? He who is inactive.’ You are twenty-seven years old. Swamiji said that he had achieved everything by his twenty-ninth year.”

15 September 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Abhedanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of Swami Abhedananda)

To go beyond Maya, one needs discrimination and renunciation. Even Gods cannot escape Maya unless they have these two.

There is no need for you to be impatient for doing Japa or meditation and fly to solitude for that purpose.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘Meditate in a corner, or in the forest, or in the mind.’

The Sadhaka who lives in a city, can sit inside the mosquito curtain and easily do his Japa and meditation in the night without distraction.

When the mind becomes steady by continued practice of Japa, meditation is accomplished by itself.

Raise your mind to the Ajna Chakra , and ponder over the truth that lust, anger, and the rest are not the attributes of the soul. Meditate on this idea. Repeat the great truth: ‘I am Brahman’, and contemplate on the soul, which is the witness, the inspirer, the absolute, the one without any attribute.

Practice a little, the secret of success lies in meditation.

When you meditate, remember first the great teachers of the world. They have given us the greatest of all gifts, the highest truth. Remember the greatest of all teachers, the Teacher of the universe. Aspire to be His faithful servant. Send thoughts of love to all living beings, pray that all may be happy and peaceful and blissful.

Then think of your body, remember it is the instrument of the soul. We must keep it strong and healthy and make it a useful instrument; we must master the body so that through it we can express our divine nature.

Breathe slowly and rhythmically; imagine that you breathe out all that is evil and weak and undesirable and that with every breath you draw in the divine nature is flowing through you.

16 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

"But you are not to blame. You do as you see. We are also not working hard enough.

We say we are old and diseased. But that is all nonsense and lame excuse.

We saw Swamiij working hard till the end. During his last illness, he would press a pillow to his chest to relieve breathing difficulties, but he would still roar, 'Arise! awake! What are you doing?' If the body is to go, let it go working. Rousing the Divinity in yourself and in others, that is the ideal.

"If you are convinced of its truth, then be up and doing. Go out at once. Put everything else. Now or never. Go to Uttarkashi and live there by the side of the Ganga and cry to Her saying, 'Mother, I want only Thee, I want nothing else.' Prepare the mind even now for living such a life. Work and everything else will be considered afterwards."

Swami: "You will have to work your mind yourself. Others cannot do that for, you. The Master has said again and again: 'You must try a little. Only then will the Guru reveal the Truth.'

Let me tell you from our experience that if anyone advances towards Him a single step, He advances towards him ten steps. This is our personal experience. If you do not exert, none can do anything for you.

17 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

"The Great Ones point out the way. Is that only a little help? If you tell us your difficulties, we can help you. We also have travelled the same path, so we can tell you about it.

Does one want that the butter should be churned out and held before one's lips? Even then he keeps his mouth shut!

Have we to feed him also? This is a mental disease, Styana (idleness), the mind refuses to labour or do anything.

"So, you ask, 'Will not the Lord do anything for His devotee?' Yes, He will. But you will have to become a devotee first, you must learn to feel devotion for Him.

And devotion, Bhakti, is no trifling thing. You have to give Him your mind, life, everything. If you cannot do that, then cry to Him for not having attained Him, for not loving Him. People have to shed potfuls of tears before they can earn money. If you do not do that for God, why should He do anything for you? Little does He care! If you feel miserable for want of Him, know that He is very near to you, you will soon have His vision, you will soon attain infinite bliss.

"You must analyse your mind very carefully.

The Master asked me to increase my lust infinitely. I was amazed to hear it.

He then explained, "What is lust? It is the desire to get. Then desire to get Him and strengthen this desire greatly.'

"Everyone wants to exhibit his good side and conceal his defects. Whoever can speak out his own faults, frankly, will get rid of them.

It is not easy to confess one's weaknesses. If anyone can, know that he has worth in him.

"You must make everyone your own. The more you approach God, the more you will become frank, sincere, and generous. Our Master was the very personification of guilelessness and sincerity.

18 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiyananda)

"He who has realized the Personal God can also realize the Impersonal, if he so wills. But he often retains his ‘I’ in order to taste the love and bliss of God. He also has the knots of his heart sundered and has realized his real nature. He does not seek Nirvana. He is no longer afraid of the world. He who wants Nirvana laboriously works his way to the goal, ever anxiously protecting himself against the world. But is it not better to be afraid of nothing? The Lord of the devotee can be both angry and pleased. The Master used to say that he could not bear the sight of egotistic persons. Those who go to God without seeking Nirvana are Ishvarakotis."

In course of a letter which the Swami wrote that day to a devotee, he observed, "If you are miserable for not having realized God, it is good. The more this mood grows, the more you will earn His grace. Intensify it still more. But if your misery is due to other reasons, then carefully shake it off."

"Why should you not realize Him? Surely you will. Or why should you have come here? Cry to Him, make Him restless. Strike your head on the ground till it breaks (in the agony of your soul). Tell Him: 'You are the Inner Controller. Look within me, see if there is anything.' Even to pray to Him thus is something."

"The Master one day spoke thus about his throat disease. He was asked if he felt the pain in his throat. The Master replied, 'What foolish things you ask! Does the body ever attain Sainthood? It is the mind that becomes such.' Unless the mind remains unaffected, a mere Spartan-like fortitude does not count much; you feel the pain, only you suppress its outward expression. But if you feel that all pains and suffering are of your body, not your own, and that you are separate from the body, only then are you right."

19 September 2025

(Teachings of Swami Turiananda)

But he often retains his ‘I’ in order to taste the love and bliss of God. He also has the knots of his heart sundered and has realized his real nature. He does not seek Nirvana. He is no longer afraid of the world. He who wants Nirvana laboriously works his way to the goal, ever anxiously protecting himself against the world. But is it not better to be afraid of nothing? "The Lord of the devotee can be both angry and pleased. The Master used to say that he could not bear the sight of egotistic persons. Those who go to God without seeking Nirvana are Ishvarakotis."

In course of a letter which the Swami wrote that day to a devotee, he observed, "If you are miserable for not having realized God, it is good. The more this mood grows, the more you will earn His grace. Intensify it still more. But if your misery is due to other reasons, then carefully shake it off."

"Why should you not realize Him? Surely you will. Or why should you have come here? Cry to Him, make Him restless. Strike your head on the ground till it breaks (in the agony of your soul). Tell Him: 'You are the Inner Controller. Look within me, see if there is anything.' Even to pray to Him thus is something."

"The Master one day spoke thus about his throat disease. He was asked if he felt the pain in his throat. The Master replied, 'What foolish things you ask! Does the body ever attain Sainthood? It is the mind that becomes such.' Unless the mind remains unaffected, a mere Spartan-like fortitude does not count much; you feel the pain, only you suppress its outward expression. But if you feel that all pains and suffering are of your body, not your own, and that you are separate from the body, only then are you right."

"You must finish all your spiritual practices long before old age and decrepitude overtake you. 'What is the use of digging a well when the house is already on fire?' 'Mere suppression of passions helps little.' There must be a high ideal along with self-restraint. Without a high ideal, the passions will find another outlet. You must give them a new direction; then you will be automatically rid of them. 'Take refuge in Me and control the senses.' As for example, lust. Think that you are His child. Why should you be so low as to be lustful? Or think that you are ever pure."

"To stand on one's own legs means to rely on that 'I' which comprehends the cosmic 'I,' not on the 'I' which thinks that it is so and so, and has passed so many examinations, etc.; to stand on this is of no use."

"Work should be looked upon as a Yajna, a sacrifice. The whole work should be done perfectly, even as one would perform a sacrifice. Every work should be considered a spiritual discipline, a means to God-realization. Only thus will character be formed."

"It is very good to meditate before sleeping and pass into sleep while thus meditating. V. used to have very deep meditation, but the moment the Master would touch him, he would wake up looking at him. Nityagopal used to pass very often into deep ecstatic states. His eyes would roll up and his chest would turn quite red, and when he would meditate, all blood would rush to his face and it would look red. The Master used to say to him, 'Not so much, not so much. You must also keep to the common human ways.'"

20 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "I tell you from my inmost heart, I can this moment leave everything, go away even as I am now, without caring to look about to see how things are left behind. Even now I can live on alms. Without this conviction I shall be undone."

"Man always seeks advantage. He has been doing it not only in this life, but also in many previous lives. Mukti (emancipation) is nothing but giving up seeking advantage. Man wants to avoid suffering; he is always sparing himself. Swamiji used to say that man wants only to gossip."

"This (Sannyasin's) life is no fun. One must live very cautiously. One must be very alert and circumspect. One must never retaliate; one must always endure. If you retaliate, it will rebound on you. It is no child's play. The Sannyasin's life is an attempt at going beyond all life. He alone will be saved, who will dwell constantly on good thoughts."

Swami: "Meditation begins with the unification of the meditator, the object of meditation, and the act of meditation, when the idea of separation between them is obliterated. When Japa (telling beads) has become automatic, when a portion of the mind ever repeats the Name of itself, one may be said to have advanced a little in Japa. In all cases the ‘I’ must be forgotten."

"At one time I felt that even every footstep of mine was through His power and that I was nothing. I clearly felt this. This feeling lasted for some days."

21 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"Never expect anything from anyone. But always give. Otherwise, a sense of dryness will overtake you. I have seen many monks who are dry and who think that because they have become monks they have nothing to do with others. But you must not give your mind to anyone. That you must give only to God. That is why you have not married. Pray crying to Him, 'O Lord, may I love Thee with all my heart!'"

"The Master would instruct us to work with the hands but to keep the mind ever on Him."

"God is not partial. His grace is on all, the good and the evil, just as rains fall equally on all places. Whoever tills the land reaps the harvest. If anyone says that he is especially beloved of the Lord, that is his own idea and attitude. But it is not true."

"There is another attitude, according to which God keeps some in bondage and releases others. But who can assume this attitude? Only he who has realized everything as one and who feels His mercy even amidst great sorrow."

"There is a third attitude: Whatever is good is His, and whatever is bad is the result of our own Karma. If we continue this attitude, we may eventually get rid of the ego."

Swami: "The Jnanis (following the path of knowledge) meditate in the head, the devotees in the heart. We generally find so. But when as a result of meditation in the heart, spiritual consciousness expands, there is no more any fixed location of meditation."

22 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"The Master had two moods: Sometimes he said that he did not like Divine forms, not even Kali, and his mind would be immersed in the Absolute. At other times, he said that he could not do without Divine forms, and he would say to the Divine Mother that he did not want to see Her formless aspect or have knowledge of Brahman. He who rejects everything and gets lost in the formless Brahman is one sided. The Jnani is afraid of rebirth lest he be caught in the meshes of Ignorance. But the expert player is not afraid of anything. Similarly, he who has realized only the forms of God, but not His formless absolute aspect, is also one sided. It is said in the Puranas that the Divine forms survive even the dissolution of the entire universe. As the Master used to say, there are places where the ice does not melt.

Do not accept any gifts from anyone. For the gifts will harm you; they will take away your independence. He alone can accept, who feels no obligation, whose mind is not affected, who feels them as gifts from God Himself. You may accept gifts only from good men who would not interfere with your independence and seek to control you.

It is very difficult to understand truly the intricacies of the mind without being an advanced aspirant. How many are the ways in which the mind is deluding us! If anyone points out the delusions, we find excuses for them!"

23 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Do not accept any gifts from anyone. For the gifts will harm you; they will take away your independence. He alone can accept who feels no obligation, whose mind is not affected, who feels them as gifts from God Himself. You may accept gifts only from good men who would not interfere with your independence and seek to control you. It is very difficult to understand truly the intricacies of the mind without being an advanced aspirant. How many are the ways in which the mind is deluding us! If anyone points out the delusions, we find excuses for them!

We do not understand how many kinds of self-love are in us. It is no joke to submit to anyone, not outwardly, but in spirit. Swami Vivekananda was once reading the Bible. He was in those days a vegetarian. When he read of Jesus’s meat-eating, he did not like it. But at once he thought, “Oh, how proud I have become because I am living on vegetables!”

We read a lot, but can feel, retain, and assimilate little. Once the Master said to Girish Chandra Ghosh: “What are you talking of knowledge of Brahman! Shukadeva saw and touched the Ocean of Brahman. And Shiva drank only three handfuls of Its water and became a Shava (corpse).” Girish Ghosh clasped his head and exclaimed, “Stop, sir, say no more. My head is reeling.”

“Formerly my nerves were very fine, and I had great powers of explaining things. Whenever anyone put me a question, I could see everything from its very origin to its outer expression—I could see from what motive he spoke and why. And there was a flood of light in a single word of mine. I used to observe absolute silence during the Navaratri. I would feel a sort of intoxication and the mind would be one-pointed.”

24 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

I have done what one being born a man should do. My aim was to make my life pure. I used to read a great deal, eight or nine hours daily. I read many Puranas and then Vedanta, and my mind finally settled on Vedanta. The Master said jokingly to me, “Tell me about Vedanta. Does not Vedanta say that Brahman is true and the world false? Or does it say anything else? Then give up the false and take the true.” This was a turning-point in my life.

Swami: “I travelled widely in the early days. I went towards the Narmada, alone, without a pice with me, and I slept anywhere. I went via Allahabad, Chitrakut, Rewa, and Jabalpur—all on foot. Whenever I travelled, I kept a place of pilgrimage in view and found out my way by enquiring of people. I went next to Hardwar, Rishikesh, Uttarkashi, etc. I thought of not coming down from the mountains. I lived happily in the Gharwal hills, totally forgot the existence of the world, and aimed only at God-realization. I meditated and read a great deal. But Swamiji made me come down. I met him at Meerut. Some seven or eight of us lived together at Delhi. Then Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) spoke of visiting Jawalji and asked me to accompany him. So, I went with him to Jawalji, Gopinathpur, Baijnath, Pathankot, Multan, Gujranwala, Montgomery, and so on. And then we came down to Bombay via Karachi. At Bombay we met Swamiji about to embark for America. He said that the Parliament of Religions at Chicago was all for him, as though he saw the future. He asked me to return to the Math and to allow Maharaj to travel alone.”

25 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"I stayed for some time at Mt. Abu. From there I went to Ajmere and Pushkar and then to Vrindaban, where I stayed for six months. The next six months I passed at Lucknow. Then I went to Ayodhya. At Ayodhya, Mahapurush (Swami Shivananda) met me and asked me to come to the Math. Though I travelled much, I also studied much all along. At Vrindaban I studied a great deal of devotional scriptures. It is not good to wander much if you do not at the same time continue your spiritual effort.

In the Jagannatha temple at Puri, suddenly a sound came to my ears and my heart was filled with a great joy, so much so that I felt like walking in the air. The sound continued in various strains. My whole mind felt drawn. I then remembered what I had read of Anahata Dhvani (music of the spheres, as it is called) and I thought it must be that.

At Ujjain, I was one night sleeping under a tree. A storm came and suddenly someone touched me on the body. I got up, and at once a branch fell where I had slept.

When I first read the verse in which it is said that life is meant for the realization of Jivanmukti, I leapt in joy. For that indeed was the purpose of my life."

26 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

“‘The first door of Yoga is the control of speech, non-acceptance of gifts, non-expectation, desirelessness, and love of solitude.’ This verse had a great influence on me. Formerly I used to talk much. When I read it, I thought, ‘What! I have not entered even the first door of Yoga!’ and I resolved that I would control my speech. I did not talk with anyone, lived by myself, and acted as I thought best. And I did not utter a single word during the nine days of the Navaratri.

It was Shankara who moulded my life. Before I came to the Master, a single verse of Shankara used to lift me a step up and give me a flood of light. In those days I used to find much new meaning in the verses. What is Parigraha (acceptance of gifts)? Even if you do not accept any gift, there may still be Parigraha. To think of means for the future, that is also Parigraha. Birth and rebirth all follow from Parigraha. We are already thinking of ways and means for the future. Wherever our mind is, there we also are. If you do not have Parigraha, where would your mind be? Naturally on the Atman (Self) itself. This one practice of Aparigraha can take you to the highest.

Once I was sitting alone by the Ganga after my companions had left. I began to meditate and after some time it struck 2 o’clock. Then someone suddenly said, ‘Come, let us go home.’ These words seemed to club me on the head. I understood that they had come from my mind itself. There was really no home. But the mind had been thinking that there was a home where I was to return. I then determined that I would destroy this tendency of the mind.

Oh, those days are coming to my mind.”

27 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

While I lived at Srinagar Ghat, I used to rise very early and bathe. Then I would sit in meditation and afterwards read. At eleven, I would rise and procure some food in an hour. Then I would again begin meditation and Japa. And thus, every day. It was there that I committed eight Upanishads to memory. I would meditate on every verse I read, and what an indescribable joy it was! I used to read the commentary of Shankara and the gloss of Jnanananda. And much further light used to come through meditation.

Swami Turiyananda was reclining in an easy chair in the verandah of his room. A Brahmacharin was fanning him. The hard austerities practised for years had broken the Swami’s health, and diabetes had completed the breakdown. So, he had to come to Varanasi for a change.

“You well know, Maharaj, that we are engrossed in the world. Pray, tell us how we can realize Him.”

Swami: “There is no fixed means of attaining God. Shri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘A man can be sincere only by virtue of merits acquired in many past lives.’ Swamiji has nicely said, ‘God is not a commodity like fish or vegetable to be had for a certain price.’ The sages have stated in the Shastras the several paths by which they attained God. One has stated that one should perform Puja (worship) in such and such a way. Another that one should practise Japa (repeating God’s name). And so on. Narada says, ‘Just as the river flows intently towards the sea in order to meet it, without deviating its course to any other direction, even so he who seeks God should move towards Him and Him alone giving up all other concerns.’ It is said in the Gita, ‘Persons who worship Me alone without being attached to anything else, to them thus ever zealously engaged, I carry what they lack and preserve what they already have.’”

28 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"There are two forms of Bhakti (devotion): Firstly, the ritualistic or obligatory devotion, such as, one should practise so much Japa or one should perform Puja in such and such a way. Then there is the loving devotion. At this stage the devotee thinks ardently of God. He finds no pleasure in things unrelated to God. Above all, perseverance is necessary. It will not do to discontinue practice if a little effort does not produce the desired effect. It is said that a man practised so intensely that an ant-hill grew upon him."

Q: "Maharaj, what does Japa actually mean?"

Swami: "It means that one should utter His name and at the same time meditate on His form, think of Him, and love Him. If the mind is attached to worldly things, what will the mere repetition of God's name do? What is essentially wanted is that we must anyhow make Him our own."

"Just as Shri Ramakrishna has said, 'You should somehow meet the master of the house, either by fighting with the gatekeeper or climbing the wall.'"

Q: "What about those who think 'I have seen the Master or I have seen the Holy Mother, I need not undergo any spiritual practice'?"

Swami: "How can I say anything about them? They best know their affairs."

29 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

A devotee: There are some who believe that since the Holy Mother has taken their entire responsibility, they need not make any effort themselves. They say that since she is holding them by the hand, they can do whatever they like with the other hand; their salvation is assured.

Swami: He who truly has this faith, has already reached the goal. But is it easy to have that faith? One must beware of self-delusion. Those who have absolute trust in God will be at once purified through His grace, though they might have committed heinous sins before. Just apply a little spark of fire to a mountain-high heap of cotton: the whole mass will be consumed in no time. If you bring light into a room which has been dark for a thousand years, will the darkness go gradually or all at once?

The Lord says in the Gita, “Even if a very wicked man worships Me, with devotion to no one else, he should be regarded as good, for he has rightly resolved. Soon he becomes righteous and attains to eternal peace. O son of Kunti, boldly canst thou proclaim that My devotee is never destroyed.”

Even if the greatest villain resigns himself entirely to Him, he must be considered a devotee. And “soon he becomes righteous.” Through His grace he no longer remains a villain but becomes a pious man. An expert dancer never takes a wrong step. No sin can possibly be committed by him who surrenders himself to God, although he might have committed many misdeeds before.

30 September 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

There was no sin which Girish Babu did not indulge in. He once said to us, “I have drunk so much wine in my life that if the wine-bottles were placed one upon another, they would stand as high as Mount Everest.” He was a poet, so he spoke thus poetically. Really, he drank much. When he was asked by the Master to repeat the name of God morning and evening, he refused to do so. He said, “I am not sure I can do it. I do not know in what condition or where I may be at those hours.” Then Sri Ramakrishna asked him to remember God before meal-time. “That also I cannot promise you,” replied Girish Babu. “I am often engrossed in law-suits and have to attend to all sorts of things. I cannot do even that.”

At that Shri Ramakrishna said, “Then give me the ‘power of attorney’.” Referring to this, Girish Babu afterwards said to us, “I readily agreed to give him the ‘power of attorney’, but later on I have realized what a difficult task it is to give the ‘power of attorney’. I had said that I would not be able to repeat the name of God even once in the evening, but afterwards I found that I could not do the least bit of work without remembering Him every moment.”

In one day, Girish Babu gave up his fifteen years’ habit of taking opium. He said that the first three days he had to suffer much; his whole body became inert. On the fourth day he was all right. Later in life he did not even smoke.

1 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

There was no sin which Girish Babu did not indulge in. He once said to us, "I have drunk so much wine in my life that if the wine-bottles were placed one upon another, they would stand as high as Mount Everest." He was a poet, so he spoke thus poetically. Really, he drank much. When he was asked by the Master to repeat the name of God morning and evening he refused to do so. He said, "I am not sure I can do it. I do not know in what condition or where I may be at those hours." Then Sri Ramakrishna asked him to remember God before meal-time. "That also I cannot promise you," replied Girish Babu, "I am often engrossed in law-suits and have to attend to all sorts of things. I cannot do even that."

At that Shri Ramakrishna said, "Then give me the 'power of attorney'." Referring to this, Girish Babu afterwards said to us, "I readily agreed to give him the 'power of attorney', but later on I have realized what a difficult task it is to give the 'power of attorney'. I had said that I would not be able to repeat the name of God even once in the evening, but afterwards I found that I could not do the least bit of work without remembering Him every moment."

In one day, Girish Babu gave up his fifteen years' habit of taking opium. He said that the first three days he had to suffer much; his whole body became inert. On the fourth day he was all right. Later in life he did not even smoke.

2 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Do you know the full meaning of "rowing a boat at anchor"? One dark night, several drunkards took it into their heads to have a boat trip. They went to the river, got into a boat, and at once began to row. When it was dawn, they found that they were at the very place from which they had started. They were so intoxicated that they forgot to weigh the anchor!

The Swami was sitting in his room. A few Sannyasins and lay devotees were present. A conversation was going on about Sir John Woodroffe’s book, *Is India Civilised?*

Q: "There is an advantage in writing work. One can make steady progress. If you write one hour every day, you will find at the end of the year that much has been written. But with spiritual practice the case is different. You may practise meditation and Japa two or three hours a day and continue it for ten long years, yet you won’t notice any appreciable progress. It is as though you are just where you were in the beginning."

Swami: "What do you mean? Who says that spiritual practice produces no effect? Surely it does. There is not a shade of doubt about it. People of the world give you wages if you work for them. Is God so unkind that He will not requite the works done for Him? But you must work in the right spirit. Working haphazardly will not do. A mad man lived near a distillery. Every noon he would go where the rejected earthen pots used in distilling wine were thrown and break them one by one with a stick, and perspiring profusely he would cry out, ‘Oh, I can work no more.’ He would then take a little rest and begin again!"

3 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"It will not do if you toil this way. You may irrigate the field all day, but it would be all in vain, if there be a hole in the field. When you go to the field in the evening, you will find that not a drop of water has remained in the field, all has run out through the hole. Attachment to sense-objects is the hole."

Q: "What shall we do, Maharaj, if we cannot find out the hole?

A: It all depends on the grace of the Guru. Shri Ramakrishna said, 'If anyone intending to make a pilgrimage to the temple of Jagannatha travels in a wrong direction through mistake, someone will surely point out to him the right direction sooner or later.'

Q: A seeker of God may adopt a wrong course, but it is certain that his object is the attainment of God. Why then should his labours prove fruitless?"

Swami: "No, they will not, if he really be in quest of God. Such a man is sure to receive a glimpse of His grace some day. If anyone advances one step towards God, He comes nearer by ten steps.' This is no idle talk.

Whoever has made even a little effort to earn His grace has realized this.

(Turning to A.) What do you say?"

A.: "Yes, sir. Certainly, He does."

Swami: "'Truthfulness, obedience, and looking upon all women as mother, if these do not lead one to Hari, then Tulasi is a liar”.

4 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Few, alas, speak the truth. What is obedience? It is complete resignation. And one must look upon another's wife as one's mother. Whoever will have these, will reach God, Tulasi stands surety for it.

"He who constantly steals others' property may perform great charities, still he does none.

He who always depends on others, may live long, yet he lives not. He who always slanders others may repeat the holy name, yet he does it not,' so said Kabir.

"What will it avail if one makes charity with money stolen from others?

To live long on the charity of others is as good as death. It is useless for a slanderer to repeat the name of God.

This is why Jesus said, 'Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift.'"

Q: "It is pleasant to hear all this, Maharaj. But it costs one's life to carry them out. Theoretically it is easy to understand them, but to practise them is extremely difficult."

Swami: "But even an intellectual grasp is not useless. It is possible only in this country.

A great many souls were born here, who realized Brahman, and the influence of their experiences has entered into the very marrow of the country. This is why men and women, old and young, all can easily understand these truths."

A.: "No other nation has, perhaps, been able to realize the personal and the impersonal aspects of God at the same time?"

Swami: "No. Only the Rishis (seers) of this country realized the Nirguna Brahman.

5 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

One Muslim Saint is said to have attained the consciousness, “I am Brahman, I am He.” But when he declared this, the Mullahs were much enraged with him. They, being the descendants of Ali, were the priests of the Mohammedans. They were all dualists. Once the emperor’s daughter fell dangerously ill. No physician could cure her. Then someone suggested that that saint should be called in. “He possesses wonderful powers,” he said, “surely he can cure her.” So, he was called in. The saint said to the emperor’s daughter, “In the name of God, I declare you cured. Therefore, get up.” But the words produced no effect. Then he exclaimed, “I say that you are cured. Therefore, get up.” And she got up at once cured. The emperor was highly pleased. But the Mullahs cried out, “Did you see how he said he was more powerful than Allah?” He was, therefore, put on trial and flayed alive. In that terrible state he went from door to door begging for food. But all closed their doors against him. Only a butcher threw a bit of flesh to him and shut the door. Next, he begged for fire to roast the meat but was refused by all. Then he held it towards the sun, and the sun, in order to give more heat, came lower down. So, it is said that the sun is much nearer at Multan.

6 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

One Muslim saint is said to have attained the consciousness, “I am Brahman, I am He.” But when he declared this, the Mullahs were much enraged with him. They are being the descendants of Ali were the priests of the Mohammedans. They were all dualists. Once the emperor’s daughter fell dangerously ill. No physician could cure her. Then some one suggested that that saint should be called in. “He possesses wonderful powers,” he said, “surely he can cure her.” So, he was called in. The saint said to the emperor’s daughter, “In the name of God, I declare you cured. Therefore, get up.” But the words produced no effect. Then he exclaimed, “I say that you are cured. Therefore, get up.” And she got up at once cured. The emperor was highly pleased. But the Mullahs cried out, “Did you see how he said he was more powerful than Allah?” He was, therefore, put on trial and flayed alive. In that terrible state he went from door to door begging for food. But all closed their doors against him. Only a butcher threw a bit of flesh to him and shut the door. Next, he begged for fire to roast the meat but was refused by all. Then he held it towards the sun, and the sun in order to give more heat came lower down. So, it is said that the sun is much nearer at Multan.

7 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Whenever he felt frightened in the forest, he called his brother Madhusudana and he came and escorted him. When the schoolmaster learnt this, he said to him, "Can you show me your brother?" "Why not?" replied the boy. They went to the forest. As the boy called, Madhusudana came. But the teacher could not see Him, he only heard the sound of His anklets.

"Do you know the story of the milkmaid crossing the ocean of life? A milkmaid supplied milk to the house of a Brahmana Pandit (scholar). She had to cross a river on the way. As the ferry-boat could not be found at the right time every day, she was late now and then in her supply of milk, and the Pandit's children had to suffer much. So, he severely scolded her one day. 'What shall I do, sir,' replied the milkmaid, 'I do not find the ferryboat at the right time every day, so I am delayed.' The learned Pandita said at once, 'Oh, you cannot cross this small river? How will you then cross the ocean of life?' The illiterate milkmaid had not even heard the phrase 'the ocean of life'. She stood dumb-founded. Then the Pandit explained to her that by taking God's name one could easily cross the ocean of life, what to speak of this little river. The milkmaid was much delighted and went away."

"Thenceforth she supplied milk at the right time. She was never late. One day the Pandit asked her, 'Now I see you come every day at the proper time. How do you cross the river?' 'Why, sir? It is you who kindly told me the means. Now I need not wait for the ferry-boat, nor have I to pay the boatman.' 'What do you mean? Who then takes you across the river?' 'Nobody has to help me, sir. I come straight down to the river, repeat the name of Hari and walk across the waters.' 'Can you show me how you do it?' 'Why not, sir? Come along.' He could not believe it. He followed the milkmaid in suspense. The milkmaid went close to the river, repeated the name of Hari and walked across the river, as if there was no more than knee-deep water in it. As she reached the other side, she turned back and saw the Pandita standing wonder-struck on the other side. She cried out, 'How is it? Why are you standing there, sir? Repeat the name of Hari and come along.' The Pandita was startled, and spellbound he walked into the river uttering the name of Hari. But as the water became deeper and deeper, he raised his clothes with both hands. He had no faith at heart, though his lips uttered the name of God. Finding him in such a plight, the milkmaid said, 'Oh, you repeat the name of Hari and at the same time raise your clothes? That will not do, sir.'"

8 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"A little self-examination will make everything clear. Lately I witnessed a strange fight within my body. During my recent illness, I was reduced to a skeleton. This muscle that you see now (touching the calf muscle), was all gone. All this grew anew afterwards."

Q: "Do you mean the influenza you suffered from last time?"

Swami: "No. It was at Puri. Then there was nothing in the body except bone and skin. I could neither turn over sides nor move my limbs. Only the power of speech was left to me. One day I saw that the life within the body was engaged in a severe struggle with another from the outside. The struggle was severe and lasted for a long time. They were at close grips with each other, and now the one and now the other seemed to win. The external one was struggling to snatch away the life from the body, but the life would not go. At last, the outer one was defeated and went away. So, life remained. Had it been defeated, it would have gone away with the other one, and the body would have remained lifeless, that is, I would have died. I was watching the battle in wonder from a distance as it were. As soon as the outer one went away defeated, I said to those who were about me, 'This time I am saved, I won't die.' Then all this flesh grew anew. Before or after this incident, I do not exactly remember when, Swamiji (Vivekananda) appeared to me and said at once, 'What is this? Get up.'"

9 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

The Swami was talking to a group of Sannyasins and Brahmacharins who had come to his room. Swami: (Turning to one of the assembled monks) "Do you believe in the existence of God?" (The monk remained silent.) "I once felt this atheistic mood."

Monk: "Yes, Maharaj, sometimes I too feel that there is no God."

Swami: "So my confession encourages you to speak out! Perhaps you thought at first that if you spoke out, you would be exposed. That is not so. Such a sceptical mood comes upon many. This is a stage on the way to God. Once the reading of a book made me atheistic."

"What a terrible agony I then passed through! Nothing could give me peace. This mood lasted only a day or two. The book was full of materialistic ideas. After a hard struggle I got over its influence. It is said in the Gita, 'He who takes the Self to be the slayer, he who takes It to be the slain, neither of these knows. It does not slay, nor is It slain.'"

"A. was very much impressed by this idea. One day the Master sent for him, and when he came, said to him, 'Can you kill a man?'"

"'Why not, sir? I can easily,' replied A. 'Will not the sense of sin prick your conscience?' 'Why? Who kills whom?'"

"'All right. Go ahead. This is also a stage, just as we enter one room through another. But you must not stop here. If you do, you will be ruined. Beware you do not become a householder with such an attitude of mind.'"

10 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"It is very difficult to realize God. The slightest desire blocks the way. The Master often said, 'The thread does not pass through the eye of a needle, if even the minutest fibre sticks out.'

Swamiji (Vivekananda) once said to him, 'Kindly pray to the Mother that they (Swamiji's relations) may have a bare subsistence.'

Then the Master sent him to the temple to beg of the Mother. But when Swamiji entered the temple, he could not beg anything but Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassionateness).

How could he? He had no attachment within. When he said this to the Master, the Master remarked to us, 'Do you see what a great soul he is? He could not ask of the Mother anything but Viveka and Vairagya.'"

Swami: "See how my skin has shrivelled.

This is a sign of old age. King Yayati also had the same experience. One day all of a sudden his skin shrivelled, his hair turned grey, and his body became decrepit.

"To be successful in any work, you must look upon the work itself as your ideal. You may have a fancy for a work for a day or two and then give it up as soon as it loses charm.

This is no good.

Shashi Maharaj (Swami Ramakrishnananda) demonstrated in his life how to work. For sixteen years he followed the same routine in the same place. Sometimes his sufferings became so intense that he abused Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji in the strongest language. Still, he did not give up the work entrusted to him."

A.: "Swamiji was once asked which of the four - Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Yoga, was the greatest.

'Don't bother yourself about that,' replied Swamiji. 'Take up any of them you like and follow it as best as you may.'"

11 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "Work for work's sake. Your whole mind should be fixed upon the work. Let that be your ideal, the be-all and end-all of life. Never mind success or failure." The Swami was sitting in his room. He was not feeling well. The conversation turned on milk. Swami: "Once Upamanyu had a desire to drink milk. He had just returned from his aunt's place where he had tasted milk. He begged his mother to give him milk. She was a poor widow and could not afford milk for her son. But as he still insisted, she mixed powdered rice with water and gave him that as milk. Upamanyu found that it did not taste like the stuff he had taken at his aunt's house. 'This is milk,' said the mother. But he would not believe. Then she began to cry. 'I am a poor woman,' she said, 'where shall I get milk, my child? Shiva is the giver of wealth. If you can satisfy him by your prayers and austerities, he may grant you the boon of abundant milk.' Upamanyu practised hard Tapasya (austerities) until Mahadeva appeared to him and gave him the desired boon. But that was not the only Tapasya he practised in his life. He is one of the great sages celebrated in the Mahabharata." Of Shri Krishna's wives at Dwaraka, Jambavati had no son. 12 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

M. came in and sat down after saluting the Swami.

Swami: "How are you?"

M.: "Quite well, Maharaj. There is no place like Varanasi. I did not know much about its greatness before, but the reading of the *Kashi-Khanda* has opened my eyes."

K.: "Yes, there is no place like Varanasi."

Swami: "If anyone lives here, his mind naturally becomes quiet and settles at the feet of Vishwanatha. From three in the morning, people here go about crying, 'Baba Vishwanatha!'"

"Yes, to live here is in itself a spiritual discipline. One has daily to take bath in the Ganga and visit the temple of Vishwanatha. But I cannot unfortunately go and worship Vishwanatha on account of a pain in the leg. I had been to the temple only once."

M.: "The daily visit to the temple has created such a tendency in me that I feel very unhappy if I miss it a single day."

R.: "Unlucky that I am, I never feel like that. When I go to the temple, I only see a block of stone and nothing else. I never feel any attraction like yours."

Swami: "Ah, what do you say? All feel like M. How is it that you do not?"

A: "It is no use saying that I feel when I really do not. From time immemorial, men and women have been coming to Varanasi to visit Vishwanatha. There must be some meaning in that, I know. Yet I myself do not feel any attraction."

12 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

M. came in and sat down after saluting the Swami. Swami: "How are you?"

M.: "Quite well, Maharaj. There is no place like Varanasi. I did not know much about its greatness before. But the reading of the Kashi-Khanda has opened my eyes."

K.: "Yes, there is no place like Varanasi. Swami: If anyone lives here, his mind naturally becomes quiet and settles at the feet of Vishwanatha. From three in the morning, people here go about crying, 'Baba Vishwanatha!'"

"Yes, to live here is in itself a spiritual discipline. One has daily to take bath in the Ganga and visit the temple of Vishwanatha. But I cannot unfortunately go and worship Vishwanatha on account of a pain in the leg. I had been to the temple only once."

M.: "The daily visit to the temple has created such a tendency in me that I feel very unhappy if I miss it a single day."

R.: "Unlucky that I am, I never feel like that. When I go to the temple, I only see a block of stone and nothing else. I never feel any attraction like yours."

Swami: "Ah, what do you say? All feel like M. How is it that you do not?"

A: "It is no use saying that I feel when I really do not. From time immemorial, men and women have been coming to Varanasi to visit Vishwanatha. There must be some meaning in that, I know. Yet I myself do not feel any attraction.

13 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

“It is very wrong to waste a thing, however insignificant. Do you know how the Master rebuked one of us for cutting a lemon too deep? If any rice was left on the plate after meal, Shashi Maharaj used to be much annoyed.”

K.: “Yes, Maharaj. If anybody said that such rice could be given to dogs, he would be offended and would say, ‘What, the food cooked for God should be given to dogs!’”

Swami: “If a person cannot weep tears of devotion, he can do so by applying oil and chilli powder to his eyes. One actually did so at the time of Shri Chaitanya. When Shri Chaitanya held Kirtana in the house of Shrivasa, every one shed tears through devotion. But there was one who could not. This made him very sad. So, one day he applied chilli powder in his eyes at the time of Kirtana and thus shed tears. When Shri Chaitanya came to know of it, he ran up to him and embraced him. He thought that the man must have great devotion, otherwise he would not have been so grieved for not being able to weep.”

“Wherever I have gone, I have found that it is not money that is wanting, but men.”

“Yes. The Kankhal Sevashrama was started in a rented house with only Rs. 150 in hand. The permanent site was secured afterwards. The workers were known to a monk much respected by a rich merchant. Once when the merchant visited the monk, he let fall some hints to the merchant to help the Sevashrama. Accordingly, he went there one day and came to know that a brick structure was required to prevent the mischief of the monkeys which entered the huts in which the Sevashrama was then housed and destroyed the medicines. He asked for an estimate and went away. This was however delayed. So, he came another day and asked them to hurry it. He said, ‘I am a householder. I am now disposed to do charity. But when I return home, my mind may change. Then it would be difficult for me to give anything.’

Thus, the dispensary building and the residence of the workers were built at a cost of Rs. 6,000.”

14 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

The workers were known to a monk much respected by a rich merchant. Once when the merchant visited the monk, he let fall some hints to the merchant to help the Sevashrama. Accordingly, he went there one day and came to know that a brick structure was required to prevent the mischief of the monkeys which entered the huts in which the Sevashrama was then housed and destroyed the medicines. He asked for an estimate and went away. This was however delayed. So, he came another day and asked them to hurry it. He said, “I am a householder. I am now disposed to do charity. But when I return home, my mind may change. Then it would be difficult for me to give anything.” Thus, the dispensary building and the residence of the workers were built at a cost of Rs. 6,000.

A Judge used to supply food-stuffs worth Rs. 15 every month to the Kankhal Sevashrama. Some one spoke to him against the Sevashrama. One day he paid a surprise visit and was much impressed with the care and attention with which the patients were being treated and nursed by the monks: he found one of them cleaning a deadly ulcer of a patient. He then gave out the object of his visit and said, “I am convinced by what I have seen that you are indeed blessed and my gift is also blessed!”

The Sevashrama is situated in a nice place. Shri Ramakrishna appealed to the Divine Mother saying, “Mother, if lust overtakes me, I shall commit suicide!” What lofty words! Once he felt as if he had a premonition of it. In great alarm he ran at once and threw himself at the feet of the Mother. His life is such that he would surely have carried out his words if he felt any lust; he was extremely true to his words! And rest assured, Mother never allows such propensities to come unto one who can speak like that. If one can have such determination, he surely reaches the goal.

Isn’t it terrible to be overcome by lust in old age? They say that such desires are stronger in old age. The impulse is there but the senses lack in power. Is not it a great torment? Besides, one loses much of one’s controlling power then.

15 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "Well, what is lust? Isn't it merely a function of the mind? There must be a psychology behind it, and what is that? It is the desire to attain oneness. Lust also is an aspect of that Love. But men take a wrong course. They begin with the gross, hence their failure to carry it up to that Pure Substance, God. Some, however, have attained realization even through this, as for instance Chandidasa. You have heard of him, I dare say? He fell in love with Raami, a washerwoman, but she was the image of the youthful Radha, with no taint of lust in her. You have heard also of Bilvamangala, and of Tulasidas. Tulasidas was henpecked. His wife was going to her father's house and Tulasidasa followed her. Disgusted at this, the wife remarked, 'If you can bestow even a grain of this love on Rama, you will soon realize Him.' At once his power of discrimination was roused. Love and lust are two things very much allied. Hence Shri Ramakrishna used to say, 'Lust is blind, but love is pure and resplendent.' It is lust if you have the idea of man, and love if you have the idea of God in your beloved. Not so. In the Bhagavata, we find in the supplication of the Gopis that they had the idea of God in Shri Krishna from the very beginning. When the Gopis approached Him and He asked them to go away, they said, 'We have come to Thee leaving our husbands, father, children, relatives, friends, and everything. And where is the place to go to? Are you not inside everything as the Inner Self?'"

16 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

The Swami opened the conversation addressing a monk of the Order who had been conducting a Vedanta class.

Swami: "Did you have Vedanta class today?"

A.: "Yes, sir."

Swami: "What was the topic? 'That Brahman (from which the origin, subsistence, and dissolution of this world proceed) is to be known from the scriptures alone, for It is the main purport of all Vedanta texts?'"

A.: "Yes, sir. We had the discussion about 'changefully eternal' and 'absolutely eternal'."

Swami: "The very expression 'changefully eternal' sounds like 'hot ice'. It is, I think, the Sankhya view. Prakriti consists of the three Gunas, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas (balance, activity, and inertia). It is these which undergoing modification lead to creation. Dr. S. one day asked me this very question. He said, 'The three Gunas make up Prakriti. So, if the Gunas undergo modification, does not Prakriti verily cease to be itself?'

I replied, 'The whole of Prakriti is not of course undergoing modification, but only a portion of it. There is Prakriti, and there is also the modified Prakriti. As for instance, when milk is coagulated into curd somewhere, all the milk in the world does not turn into curd; there is yet milk somewhere. Vedanta describes the purusha and Prakriti as identical. (Pointing to his own body) Even here don't you find both Prakriti and Purusha existing together?'

Even in a single grain there are two halves."

17 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"Kshetra (body and mind) and Kshetrajna (self). The Kshetra is changing, but the Kshetrajna always remains unaffected by the changes."

'Jai Ramakrishna 18/10/2025'

The Purusha resting on Prakriti experiences the attributes that spring from the latter. The attachment for the Gunas is the cause of the soul's being born in higher and lower bodies. He who thus knows the Purusha and the Prakriti together with its Gunas, is never subject to rebirth, howsoever he may live.

Well, what is spiritual practice but purifying this Prakriti? The Vaishnavas say, Krishna alone is Purusha, all else is Prakriti. Purusha is intelligent, unchanging, eternal, and infinite in number, and experiences happiness and misery etc., through falsely identifying itself with Prakriti which is insentient, ever-changing, and eternal, and contributes to the experience of the Purusha. Both are independent. In the culmination of its experience the Purusha knows that it is eternally aloof from Prakriti. This is Kaivalya or Liberation.

The words Purusha and Prakriti have also got a second meaning, male and female. Why should one accost another Prakriti? Does Prakriti (a woman) ever court Prakriti? We must have Prakriti attached to Purusha (man). Mira Bai, when she went to Vrindaban, wanted to see Sanatana, but the latter refused to grant her an interview on the ground that she was a woman. He was, you know, a man of great renunciation. Thereupon Mira replied, "At Vrindaban I know of only one Purusha (man), and he is Shri Krishna. And who is this second man that has come? Well, I must see him!" Then they met. Both were advanced souls, so they were in raptures. Sanatana saluted Mira with the words: "She through whom Shri Krishna manifests His divine sport, and from whom I have been born."

Jai Ramakrishna.

It is almost useless to read Vedanta unless one compares notes with one's own experience.

A young man hailing from East Bengal came and saluted the Swami. Swami: (To the new comer) "There are signs of Vairagya (dispassionateness) visible on your person. Well, what sort of Vairagya do you feel? Is it real Vairagya or Vairagya from some exciting cause? If it be due to some temporary cause, Vairagya disappears as soon as the cause ceases to exist. Were you interned?" The youth: "No, sir." Swami: "Anyway, it is good fortune to have this feeling of Vairagya. And what is Vairagya but the discrimination between the Self and the non-Self? 'Discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti' is another name for it."

Asked whether he intended to stay on at Varanasi, the youth replied that if circumstances were favourable he would like to do so. Swami: "If one lives a good, moral life, one can live in any country, not to speak of India. 'The whole earth is the Lord's, where is there any obstruction in it for anyone? He only who has scruples in his mind meets with obstructions outside.' This is the saying of a very great man. Do you know him? It was uttered by Hari Singh, the general of Ranjit Singh. The Afghans began to create disturbances on the frontier, and when chased they would retreat and halt just beyond Attock. It became quite a problem to control them, as going beyond Attock meant losing one's religion. Then Hari Singh was called in and being asked his advice in this crisis, he uttered those words. He crossed Attock and taught the intruders a sound lesson. Hari Singh was a Vaishnava devotee, but how like a Jnani he spoke! Being good and moral you may live anywhere you like; you will live happily. Well, He alone is the Real, the Good, there is nothing beside Him which is real or good.

18 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"It is almost useless to read Vedanta unless one compares notes with one's own experience."

A young man hailing from East Bengal came and saluted the Swami.

Swami: (To the new comer) "There are signs of Vairagya (dispassionateness) visible on your person. Well, what sort of Vairagya do you feel? Is it real Vairagya or Vairagya from some exciting cause? If it be due to some temporary cause, Vairagya disappears as soon as the cause ceases to exist. Were you interned?"

The youth: "No, sir."

Swami: "Anyway, it is good fortune to have this feeling of Vairagya. And what is Vairagya but the discrimination between the Self and the non-Self? 'Discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti' is another name for it."

Asked whether he intended to stay on at Varanasi, the youth replied that if circumstances were favourable he would like to do so.

Swami: "If one lives a good, moral life, one can live in any country, not to speak of India. 'The whole earth is the Lord's, where is there any obstruction in it for anyone? He only who has scruples in his mind meets with obstructions outside.'

"This is the saying of a very great man. Do you know him? It was uttered by Hari Singh, the general of Ranjit Singh. The Afghans began to create disturbances on the frontier, and when chased they would retreat and halt just beyond Attock. It became quite a problem to control them, as going beyond Attock meant losing one's religion. Then Hari Singh was called in and being asked his advice in this crisis, he uttered those words. He crossed Attock and taught the intruders a sound lesson. Hari Singh was a Vaishnava devotee, but how like a Jnani he spoke! Being good and moral you may live anywhere you like; you will live happily. Well, He alone is the Real, the Good, there is nothing beside Him which is real or good."

19 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"Let me tell you a short story. While Rama and Lakshmana were wandering in the Dandaka forest after Sita had been stolen, they saw a delightful place. Wishing to spend the four months of the rainy season there, Rama said to Lakshmana, 'Brother, just go and look if there is anybody about. Without the owner's permission how can we stay here?'

Lakshmana searching hither and thither in the forest came across a Shiva temple but found no trace of men. On his coming back and reporting the matter to Rama, the latter said, 'It is excellent, Shiva is the presiding deity of the place. Go and get His permission.'

Lakshmana went to the temple and asked for permission, when there emerged from the image of Shiva a radiant being who went on dancing for some minutes in a weird posture (holding his generative organ in his mouth), and then disappeared. Lakshmana, unable to make any meaning out of it, came back bewildered and reported all that had happened. Hearing it Rama said, 'Build the hut. We have got Shiva’s permission.'

'How is that?' asked Lakshmana. Rama replied, 'Keeping the palate and the sexual instinct under control, one may live happily not only here, but anywhere one likes.'"

Swami: "Every creature on earth seeks the satisfaction of the palate and the sexual instinct."

20 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

To one who gives up the craving for these two, of what avail is anything in this world?'

"Well, the whole trouble is due to these: the palate and the sexual instinct. In the Himalayas there are lots of solitary places suited for spiritual practices, but why can't monks live there? Owing to the urge of the tongue. The craving for delicacies drives them out of those places. And why is it that monks cannot live in peace at one place? Either they have a rude tongue and quarrel with others, or they hanker after dainty dishes, or it is the sexual instinct. Hence if a monk can live at a place peacefully for twelve years, he is said to have 'perfected his seat'. A twelve years' restraint is not a joke!

"Perfect mastery over the sex impulse is very difficult. 'The man will die and his ashes be blown to the winds, then only may one sing his praises.'

21 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

It is almost impossible to conquer lust. There is a story about it. One day Emperor Akbar said to his minister Birbal, "Go and enquire of your mother if she has got rid of passions." The lady was then over eighty years of age. Besides, how could Birbal ask his mother such a question? Yet that was the Emperor's mandate. Birbal was in a fix and gave up food and sleep in his anxiety. His mother was a very wise old lady; she was Birbal's mother, you must remember, and she guessed it all. She said to her son, "Don't you worry, my boy. Have your food and take some rest. When you go to the Durbar, take from me the answer."

When it was time for him to go to the Court, Birbal's mother gave her son a device of "Twenty boxes" with instructions to hand it over to the Emperor. On receipt of the box the Emperor opened it. There were numerous boxes one within the other, all empty. Only in the inmost one he found some ashes! The point is clear enough.

All trouble is over if the palate and sex impulse are conquered. When Shri Chaitanya went to Keshava Bharati for initiation into Sannyasa, the latter remarked, "You are in the bloom of youth and so surpassingly handsome. Who will be bold enough to initiate you into Sannyasa?"

Shri Chaitanya replied, "Sir, you usually test an aspirant before conferring Sannyasa on him. If you find me qualified, you will naturally be inclined to initiate me also. So please test me and see if I am fit for it."

Bharati said to Shri Chaitanya, "Put out your tongue." On the disciple's putting out his tongue, the Guru (teacher) put some sugar on it. The sugar was left as it was, without being moistened in the least, and was scattered in the air the moment it was blown out. There was no longer any need to examine Chaitanya’s conquest of sex.

"A man who has controlled all other senses except the palate is not to be considered a master of his senses. When the hankering of the palate is controlled, everything else is controlled." When the palate is controlled the sex impulse is also controlled. Unless the senses are brought under control there cannot be any spiritual progress.

22 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Throughout the Gita there is repeated mention of this: “Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control thou the senses first, and thereby kill this sinful propensity of lust, which destroys one’s Knowledge and Realization.”

“Even if a single organ remains uncontrolled, all austerities, all efforts after spirituality become useless, even as when there is a single hole in a pitcher, all the water escapes through that. You know that parable of Shri Ramakrishna, of the peasant irrigating his field. All the water escaped through a subterranean passage and not a drop of water reached the field! ‘Even if a single organ is allowed to run out, that alone destroys the aspirant’s illumination, like water from a cracked leathern jar.’ Even the craving for sense objects leaves an aspirant when he realizes the Lord.”

But control of the senses is not to be brought about by a violent effort. Only by realizing Him is it perfectly achieved. But at first one must struggle for this end. Afterwards it becomes quite natural. Still, one should not be overconfident. Just as an intelligent hunter catches a deer and ties it up, so after succeeding in controlling the organs one should be alert and continue to hold the mind and organs in check.

(Pointing to the young visitor) He appears to be a lad who is practising Sadhanas. Don’t you detect this? I see it quite clearly. One test of the steadiness of mind is the steadiness of look. As soon as the mind gets steady the look also gets steady. No more is there any restiveness in one’s looks and movements.

(To the youth, smiling) What do you want? You do not want powers, I hope?

23 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

(To others) All’s well that ends well. It is very difficult to hold on to the last. Powers sometimes come, of themselves, to the spiritual aspirant, but the moment he cares for them he is gone; his further progress is stopped. These powers, again, do not last. Not to speak of using them for selfish purposes, even using them for other ends means losing them.

A man set out from home in search of the gems of the sea. When he came to the sea-shore he found variously coloured pebbles and shells scattered there and he set himself to fill his pockets with these; he forgot all about the gems in the sea. The Divine Mother deludes all to make them forget their ideal.

In the Kathopanishad Yama says to Nachiketa: “These damsels, with chariots and musical instruments, are never accessible to men. I give them to you. Have them attend on you, but don’t ask me about what comes after death, O Nachiketa.” And see what Nachiketa replies: “O Death, all these are but transient and they weaken the vigour of the senses of mortals. Even the biggest span of life is but short. So let these chariots and music and all remain with thee. Man is not to be satisfied with riches, and when we have met thee, we shall have riches enough, and live too, as long as you rule. So, I crave that very boon and nothing else.”

“Just as Yama is trying to delude Nachiketa, so the Divine Mother is deluding all. What is there in these powers? Shri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘It is priding oneself upon others’ things, as the washerman does.’ What matter these to you? They all belong to the Lord; only He is making them pass through you, that’s all.”

24 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

(To the young man) We want Bhakti (devotion). If one has but Bhakti, what else is needed? Narada was once undergoing great austerities when he heard a voice from heaven: A spiritual aspirant acquired some supernatural powers which made him proud. But he was a sincere man. So, the Lord came to him in the form of a Brahmana and praising his powers wanted to have some test. An elephant was passing by. The man, gratified by the request, took some dust and uttering some Mantras threw it on the elephant, which immediately fell down dead. Then the Brahmana wished to see if he could bring it to life again. This also the aspirant accomplished in a similar way. After witnessing all these the Brahmana said, "Well, sir, the elephant died and then revived. But of what spiritual gain have these powers been to you?" Saying this he disappeared, and the aspirant was brought to his senses. 'If the Lord is ever present inside and outside, then with what object should you undergo austerities? And if He be not inside and outside, of what avail are these austerities?' In other words, we must go through them, betaking ourselves to God. In our country, however, there is now a sad dearth of austerities. One no more hears nowadays of rigid austerities as of old. Well, this is the result of undigested Vedanta. Is it possible to understand the truths of Vedanta without undergoing austerities?

25 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

If one has but Bhakti, what else is needed? Narada was once undergoing great austerities when he heard a voice from heaven: A spiritual aspirant acquired some supernatural powers which made him proud. But he was a sincere man. So, the Lord came to him in the form of a Brahmana and, praising his powers, wanted to have some test. An elephant was passing by. The man, gratified by the request, took some dust and, uttering some Mantras, threw it on the elephant, which immediately fell down dead. Then the Brahmana wished to see if he could bring it to life again. This also the aspirant accomplished in a similar way. After witnessing all these, the Brahmana said, "Well, sir, the elephant died and then revived. But of what spiritual gain have these powers been to you?" Saying this, he disappeared, and the aspirant was brought to his senses. "If the Lord is ever present inside and outside, then with what object should you undergo austerities? And if He be not inside and outside, of what avail are these austerities?"

In other words, we must go through them, betaking ourselves to God. In our country, however, there is now a sad dearth of austerities. One no more hears nowadays of rigid austerities as of old. Well, this is the result of undigested Vedanta. Is it possible to understand the truths of Vedanta without undergoing austerities?

Pseudo Vedantism has spoilt the country. They simply talk big, "He only exists," "The universe is non-existent, in the past, present, as well as in the future," and so on. Nonsense! Do they mean anything by all that? Vedanta cannot be understood except through austerities.

Well, does it hold good always? Five boys living together present five different aspects of character. The Western people have got no idea of reincarnation; hence, they do not understand past tendencies and so on. Do you think anybody comes to earth with a tabula rasa?

We have got two theories about human creation. One is that after going the round of 84 lakhs of births, one attains a human body. This sounds very much like Darwinism. The other is that of descent from Godhead. Brahma, the Creator, first created beings like Sanatkumara and others, whom he asked to lead a worldly life. Well, they had just descended from God; so, they said, "What a proposal! We shall be no party to such a plan." Brahma then created the Prajapatis (Patriarchs), who agreed to embrace a worldly life. It is a simple phenomenon, which we too observe in our everyday life. To this day, we find that many are averse to marriage and the worldly life from their very birth. These are the Kumaras. This second theory is excellent. We are the children of immortality, and why should we be the descendants of monkeys? Desiring Brahman, they practise Brahmacharya.

26 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Haven't you heard of Shri Ramakrishna's parable of the bird called Homa? It lays eggs in the sky. As any egg falls through space, the young bird comes out of it; and when in the course of its fall it finds it is about to touch the earth, it is reminded of its mother who is high up in the sky. At once it flies straight up. It has no more to fall down on the earth. Similarly, there are many people who as soon as they grow up a little give up all attachment for the world and speed straight towards God.

(To the boy) Tell me whether you wish to be a monk or a householder.

The boy: "I wish to be a monk."

Swami: "Certainly, why not? If you try from now you will indeed realize the Lord. There should be a firm resolve in the mind that one must realize Him. If you perfectly control your senses from now, you will be blessed with His vision. And if you wish to be like ordinary men, you will get something to eat, have children, scrape together a little money, and die; that will be an end of it. Do you want the prestige of a householder, or do you want to be a monk?"

The boy: "Have monks no prestige? They too have it."

Swami: "Certainly, monks too, have prestige. Look at the honour Swamiji received! How like a hero he conquered the world! What a heroic temperament! What a perfect mastery over the senses! If one is like him, one has indeed achieved everything. He was absolutely free from the sex instinct. It was because he had his mind pitched on high things that it had no opportunity to come down to a lower level."

27 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Shri Ramakrishna used to say that the mind of ordinary men is generally confined to the three lower centres in the spinal column; while the mind of the spiritual aspirant rises to the centre in the heart, whence it ascends higher still to the centre in the throat, and then finally to the centre in the head when he attains the state of Samadhi. Then the body dies within three weeks. Shri Ramakrishna also used to say that gold is gold whether it lies in a ditch or is kept in a room. If power is latent in anybody, it will manifest itself wherever you may put him. Have faith in God and pray to Him for devotion. (To the boy) “You are a Brahmana. You should please God and ask for the knowledge of Brahman; a Brahmana has no mightier weapon. Do you know the story of Vasishtha and Vishvamitra? King Vishvamitra armed with his bow and arrows one day killed the hundred sons of Vasishtha and went his way, seizing the latter's holy cow. But Vasishtha, though he witnessed all, said nothing and sat with his Brahmadanda (the staff of the Brahmana) in hand and at peace. Then Vishvamitra with folded palms fell at the feet of Vasishtha and begged his pardon saying, 'Fie on Kshatriya valour! Real strength is that which a Brahmana possesses.'"

28 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Everything depends on our personal exertion. The Yogavasishtha has highly extolled this. I do not mean to say that destiny is altogether a fiction. 'Manifest thy manliness by ousting destiny through thy own power.'

To one who is endowed with personal exertion even destiny becomes favourable. God helps those who help themselves. Relying on destiny people often tend towards degradation.

Freewill also comes under this personal exertion.

People make mistakes through their own fault and then lay the blame on destiny.

Stumbling on the way is an accident, going along is the natural course. Making mistakes is an accident, rising higher and higher is the natural course."

S.: "We cannot ascertain whether destiny or personal exertion is responsible for the accomplishment of an act, and in what measure. We, however, take it for, granted that both are equally responsible. Our duty is to exert, it is within our control, rather than wait for destiny to help us out."

Swami: "Quite so. That is the way. Unless one acts like that, nothing can be done. But then, there is such a thing as resignation to the Lord. It is no weakness to say, 'Thy will be done'."

29 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

The parlour was full of eager listeners. A householder came in and prostrating himself before the Swami took his seat. He wanted to give up the world and embrace the monastic life and expressed his intention to the Swami. Swami: "So you came away leaving everyone behind? You had your enjoyments yourself and got away? Don't you see it is cruel and cowardly to get away without making some sort of provision for the family? Do you think one is at liberty to give up the world all of a sudden?" The gentleman: "Well, this is but a relative concern, it is the outcome of ignorance." Swami: "And your fleeing away from the world is absolute, it is the result of knowledge; is that so? Does it stand in the way of religion merely to be in the world? Once Narada asked of the Lord as to who was His best devotee. The Lord in reply said, 'In such and such a village there is a peasant who is My best devotee. Just go and see him.' Narada went to the place and found that the peasant was off to the field. Late in the evening the peasant returned home, took the name of the Lord once and then retired for the night. Seeing all this Narada came back to the Lord and said, 'How is this, Lord? How could this man who was engaged the whole day in trifling worldly pursuits and took Thy name but once, be the best of devotees?' 'Well, Narada,’ replied the Lord, 'you will have your question answered soon. Now take this cup filled with oil to the brim, and go round the world, and come back.' Narada went round the world with the greatest caution and when he returned the Lord asked, 'Well, Narada, how many times did you remember Me!' Narada replied, 'How could I remember you? My attention was on the oil.' 'Well,' said the Lord, 'in your anxiety lest the oil be spilt from the cup you could not remember Me even once; but that peasant, in spite of his being engrossed in work all day, remembers Me regularly at the end of his day's work."

Jai Ramakrishna 30 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Shri Ramakrishna used to relate that once at Dakshineswar one Mukherji, who had left house and home, used to pass his days at the Kali temple, living on the doles regularly given there. One day Shri Ramakrishna said to him, "You are a married man; have you got children?" On being answered in the affirmative, he next inquired who was looking after them. And as soon as he heard from Mukherji's lips that his wife was pining at her father's place, he shouted, "You rogue! You were the man who married and who had children, and now they must be fed and clothed by your father-in-law! And here you are, living on the food that is meant for the poor!" Hearing such words, Mukherji went home and began to look after his household duties with zeal.

The scriptures also mention the four orders of life. First, students had to take up the Brahmachari's vow in the house of the teacher and go through their studies. Then service unto the Guru, strict Brahmacharya, study, etc., were their duties. As soon as these duties were gone through, they were free. After finishing the course of study in the teacher's house, the students used to test themselves to see whether they should return to the householder's life. Those who considered themselves under the sway of worldly ideas used to go through the usual ablution ceremony that marked the close of the student's life and entered the world. Here, too, they had such duties as marrying and having children, ministering unto guests, maintaining the family and so on. And when they finished these duties, they were at liberty to take up the next order of life.

The same things do not appeal always. When the desire for enjoyment abated and when, along with it, the duties of the family life too were finished, then they used to retire to the forest and embrace the life of a recluse. They could take their wives also with them; only they had to live as brothers and sisters, without any physical attachment.

31 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"In the Upanishads, too, there is a dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi. Yajnavalkya reached the state of Sannyasa as the natural outcome of knowledge. He addressed his two wives, 'Now the time has come for my taking up the monastic life. So, whatever I possess, you both divide between yourselves.'

Then Maitreyi said, 'What shall I do with that which won't give me immortality?'

Hearing this, Yajnavalkya said, 'Maitreyi, I used to love you before, but now I love you all the more.'

Then he gave her instructions, and she too renounced."

30 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Shri Ramakrishna used to relate that once at Dakshineswar one Mukherji, who had left house and home, used to pass his days at the Kali temple, living on the doles regularly given there.

One day Shri Ramakrishna said to him, 'You are a married man, have you got children?' On being answered in the affirmative he next inquired who was looking after them. And as soon as he heard from Mukherji's lips that his wife was pining at her father's place, he shouted, 'You rogue, you were the man who married and who had children, and now they must be fed and clothed by your father-in-law! And here you are living on the food that is meant for the poor!'

Hearing such words Mukherji went home and began to look after his household duties with zeal.

The scriptures also mention the four orders of life. First, students had to take up the Brahmachari's vow in the house of the teacher and go through their studies. Then service unto the Guru, strict Brahmacharya, study, etc., were their duties. As soon as these duties were gone through, they were free. After finishing the course of study in the teacher's house the students used to test themselves to see whether they should return to the householder's life.

Those who considered themselves under the sway of worldly ideas used to go through the usual ablution ceremony that marked the close of the student's life and entered the world.

Here, too, they had such duties as marrying and having children, ministering unto guests, maintaining the family and so on. And when they finished these duties they were at liberty to take up the next order of life.

The same things do not appeal always. When the desire for enjoyment abated and when along with it the duties of the family life too were finished, then they used to retire to the forest and embrace the life of a recluse. They could take their wives also with them, only they had to live as brothers and sisters, without any physical attachment.

31 October 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"In the Upanishads, too, there is a dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi. Yajnavalkya reached the state of Sannyasa as the natural outcome of knowledge. He addressed his two wives, 'Now the time has come for my taking up the monastic life. So, whatever I possess, you both divide between yourselves.' Then Maitreyi said, 'What shall I do with that which won't give me immortality?' Hearing this Yajnavalkya said, 'Maitreyi, I used to love you before, but now I love you all the more.' Then he gave her instructions, and she too renounced."

But can one give up the householder's life though it is no more appealing, when there are wife and children? What then will be their fate? It is selfishness, pure and simple. To be in the world and maintain the family, to fulfil one's duties, this also is certainly religion. Nothing will be gained by giving up all of a sudden. One cannot climb to the roof at one bound, one must ascend step by step. Shri Ramakrishna used to say, "A fruit plucked before maturity rots and gets spoilt. A sore bleeds if you take away the scab before time, while it drops of itself when the sore is healed." What fine illustrations these, don't you see! Well, everything depends on the mind alone.

If one happened to be married but later regretted, and informed Shri Ramakrishna of his intention to embrace the monastic life, he would say, "Wait; don't give up the world. If you are sincere everything will be set right. You have only to pursue faithfully the course laid down in the scriptures." It won't be good for you to leave the world now. You have got children; go on doing your duty to them, do it unselfishly. To say that you are renouncing the world with the object of calling upon God, would be utterly false.

1 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Subodhananda)

But can one give up the householder’s life though it is no more appealing, when there are wife and children? What then will be their fate? It is selfishness, pure and simple. To be in the world and maintain the family, to fulfil one’s duties, this also is certainly religion. Nothing will be gained by giving up all of a sudden. One cannot climb to the roof at one bound; one must ascend step by step. Shri Ramakrishna used to say, “A fruit plucked before maturity rots and gets spoilt. A sore bleeds if you take away the scab before time, while it drops of itself when the sore is healed.” What fine illustrations these, don’t you see! Well, everything depends on the mind alone. If one happened to be married but later regretted, and informed Shri Ramakrishna of his intention to embrace the monastic life, he would say, “Wait; don’t give up the world. If you are sincere, everything will be set right. You have only to pursue faithfully the course laid down in the scriptures.” It won’t be good for you to leave the world now. You have got children; go on doing your duty to them, do it unselfishly. To say that you are renouncing the world with the object of calling upon God would be utterly false.

First take hold of your mind through discrimination, then make it calm through proper training, so that it runs towards God twenty-four hours of the day. Urge the mind on towards God; then you will understand everything. The All-powerful Mother of the Universe resides in every woman. If one calls on the Lord earnestly, He reveals Himself in the form of one’s chosen deity. Pray to God with utmost devotion and faith, and He will show you the path that leads to Him. He will grant everything—devotion, faith, and all else that one needs. When we see the sun, we see it with the sun’s own light. No other light is required. In the same way, we see the Lord through His grace alone. Tulsidas, the great devotee, says that the Lord Himself fulfils the desire of one who takes refuge in Him. For instance, the fish that has its shelter in water can swim even against the current, while an elephant is washed away by it. One must surrender oneself to God in the same manner. Before God enters the temple of any one of His children’s hearts, He fills it with devotion, faith, and love, just as a king sends different pieces of furniture and vessels to a subject’s house which he intends to visit. Else, where can the poor subject get all those things? The Lord grants devotion, faith, and love, just because He will come. Keep yourself occupied day and night with good thoughts and good conversation. Whenever you find a little leisure in the course of your daily work, never forget to think of God.

2 November 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Subodhanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of Swami Subodhananda)

Read good books which help such remembrance. If one calls on God—no matter when or under what circumstances—it will never go in vain. For instance, it doesn’t matter whether a farmer sows his seeds upside down; they will sprout upwards all the same. That the mind has been unsteady from your childhood is nothing peculiar to you; this is the case with everyone. But one thing that you must remember is that, come what may, you must proceed towards God, who stands behind all sorrow and suffering. This you must know for certain. However, you may suffer, and however great the pain may be, never forget God’s name. He is our only refuge in weal or woe. Nothing will ever end in evil by the will of Him who is all good. That people undergo diverse sorrows in life is also a kind of experience. This is what I have learnt to be the essential truth. The Master will bring everybody around.

You ask me how you can have peace. Swami Vivekananda used to sing a song (of Kabir), which means, “Where would you seek me, O devotee? I am not in Kashi, Kailash, or Mecca, or in a mosque or anywhere else. I am actually very near you. When you have faith even for a moment, you will find me in a trice through the least searching. Hear of this faith by sitting near devotees.” All this may appear to be dry and intellectual to you. But know this much for certain, that the great Universal Mother lives in and permeates everything—be it happiness or sorrow or anything else.

3 November 2025

(Teaching of Swami Subodhanandaji)

There is another way of attaining peace of mind. When you have no work in hand, sit down with a neighbour and read some good book together and discuss it. Talk about God, and you will find how the mind frees itself from all the trammels of the world. Swami Vivekananda once prayed, “Lord, place me in a position where all others may criticize and abuse me, so that my whole mind can be given to You alone.”

You complain of restlessness during japa. That is not peculiar to you; many others are in the same predicament. Still, you must never cease from calling on God. Know this for certain, that the Lord’s name cuts through all obstacles. However, you may do it, whether perfectly or imperfectly, keep on repeating His name, which has a power of its own. A cake will taste sweet, no matter how you eat it. A man enters family life and gets involved in worldly affairs. But if he takes refuge in God and then attends to the duties of life, he can withstand all the storms and stresses of the world much better. All that we see around us will cease to exist some day or other; God’s name alone will survive. And anyone who thinks of God and repeats His name, will have everything intact—here and hereafter. His name is true for ever. One can hear about good things from anybody. As a man can pick up a valuable gem even from a dirty place, similarly one can hear about God from anybody. “Even an untouchable is a saint if he has devotion for God.”

4 November 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

As you think, so you become. As thoughts of love help in expanding the self, so do thoughts of anger and jealousy lead to its contraction.

Unless one can restrain one's passion, anger, etc. it is impossible to get anywhere near God. If you want to control your passion, anger, etc., you must meditate on the Master and the Holy Mother and you will then be free from all degrading thoughts.

Once, while I was at Belur, a gentleman came and expressed his regret that we had not married and had renounced the world. By all sorts of arguments, he demonstrated that our supreme Guru Shiva was also married.

Owing to ignorance, man tries to support his views with numerous intellectual arguments, and the result is philosophizing. But he gets over all these, once he is blessed with true insight. The Master used to say, `The world is a bad place, and you should renounce it.' There was no argument behind it, because he knew that no one could get over his unhappiness without renouncing the world.

Once it is realized that a thing is bad, the best thing is to discard it, there is no question of arguing about it.

You better leave debates and arguments alone.

We have a brain of very limited capacity; and for realizing God, all this hair-splitting is of no use. What you require is burning faith in Him. In order to be firmly established in that faith, you may raise one or two valid points, but nothing more. Our arguments are just like armchair discussions; they lead us nowhere. We argue about God and then go home and lie down in bed. That is not religion, and it does not contribute to peace of mind.

5 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

Revered Swami Vijnananandaaji Maharaj is staying at the 'Math. 'Everyday the priest starts the worship after offering pranam to him.

Maharaj asks him, What is next?

The priest describes..

On the day of Vijaya Dasami, Maharaj asked, ‘What is there tomorrow?’

The priest replied, ‘After a brief worship with ten articles in the morning, there will be Darpan-Bisarjan (immersion in the mirror). And in the evening there will be Protima-visarjan, immersion of the image.'

Maharaj asked again, ‘Where will you immerse the Mother?'

The priest replied, ‘Why, in the Ganges?’

Maharaj asked, In the ‘Ganges?’

The priest replied, ‘yes Maharaj, as is the practice every year.’

Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj said solemnly, ‘Mother is to be immersed in the heart only’.

Faith is the foundation of spiritual life. Too much of argumentation is of no avail .... Unless you have faith, arguments and discussions will only cloud the issue and create confusion.

When, therefore, our entire existence depends on Him, why should we form an attachment for worldly things? Worldly attachments draw people away from God and scorch them in the wildfire of the world.

The Bible describes God in all His three forms, with attributes, without attributes, and as incarnate.

Let us make our minds pure, the rest will be easy; and we shall attain spiritual bliss comparable to nothing else in life. Our worldly pleasures are but a speck of dust, when weighed against that great mountain of joy.

6 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

The body is made up of five Bhutas (the word meaning both ghosts and the constituent material elements), and as one would call on Rama to get rid of the fear of ghosts, so also one must take refuge in Rama to be saved from the lures of these elements.

Your body is built through the food you take, and if that is not clean and pure, how can you expect mental perfection?

Likewise, there have been spiritual interpretations of ratha-yatra and snana-yatra (the Lord's Car Festival). Whoever sees God inside the chariot of the body derives the joy of the Car Festival.

In the Katha Upanishad, also, it is written that the body is the chariot and the soul is the charioteer. The `Festival of Bathing' means dipping oneself in the water of noble and sacred thoughts.

There are three regions of the body which are good for the purpose of meditation: the heart, the spot between the eyebrows, and the nerve centre in the brain (sahasrara).

Yes, it is well written, undoubtedly. But do you know what I feel about it? Such erudition does not seem to be worth the name. The author took up the task of writing such a sacred book - but was there the necessary sadhana (spiritual practice behind it? Where is that purity of realization that such a work calls for? It seems to me that there is no harmony between the ideal and practice. And that reduces the whole thing to a mockery of religion, as it were. Such erudition is worthless.

7 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

Now I shall refer to another story. A very well-read man went to a Sadhu for guidance in the matter of Self-realization. The Sadhu told him: "First of all you have to unlearn all that you have learnt in books, and then you can come to me." So, you see that book-learning is useless for the purpose you have in view The only thing required is faith.

Book-learning is of no avail for God-realization. The only thing required is faith.

Brahman is like a motionless snake. Shakti is like a snake in motion, and that is the kundalini.

From Buddha's life and discourses, we find that action follows thought; as you think, so you act.

You recite `Ram, Ram' (the name of Rama. Do you know what `rum' is? It is an intoxicating drink. You cannot know what it is like unless you drink it. You cannot know the glory of God's name unless you chant it.

To grieve over not having a male child and to think that this means the end of the family line is a very crude way of looking at things. Real children are one's good, liberal, and holy thoughts - also, good deeds. These last forever; there is no death for them.

Her divine light is everywhere; only man cannot realize it. Babies, it is said, six or seven months old, see that light, and seeing it smile and play, moving their arms and legs, at the sight of which people say that they are doing so in a dream.

8 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

It a matter of fact, the company of holy men makes the heart pure forever. It is said that the sage Durvasa once went to visit hell where condemned souls were suffering all sorts of tortures as punishment for their sins. As soon as the sage made his appearance there, they were relieved of their agonies and began to sing the glories of God. Hell seemed to have been transformed into heaven; the reason was that the sage's purity of life had such innate power in it as to deliver those tortured souls from their sins and save them from the agonies of hell.

People very often are saved if they live in the proximity of spiritually developed souls. Once, on Dussera day, we were staying with Swamiji in Nilambar Mukherji's garden-house at Belur. It was the monastery then. Swamiji was in those days on a very high spiritual plane. That day when I touched his feet in obeisance, I received a strong shock like that of electricity.

Anyone going near such persons would feel as if a spiritual zone had been created round about them. Whosoever entered that zone could feel as if an electric force was entering into him from outside. He would have that experience immediately.

Great souls, wherever they are, create a spiritual zone around them; and anybody corning within that zone realizes something like an electric current passing into him. It is a very strange phenomenon, impossible to explain, unless one has experienced it oneself.

Swami Brahmananda also was a reservoir of spiritual power. One day, when he was sitting in deep meditation, his body had become stiff I was sitting dose to him and felt my nerves also getting stiff and taut. This is a wonderful play of energy; one's power involuntarily acting on another.

9 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

The greatest need is to concentrate on Him when we are dying.

The best time for meditation is midnight. You can then achieve results very soon. Nature is in a quiet mood then and the concentration is easier.

Every day you should regularly practise meditation. That helps you to concentrate your mind.

One should try to help others as far as possible, but without beating one's drum. For the rest of the time, one should be all by oneself. In this way concentration of mind will be gradually achieved.

Everybody complains that he cannot concentrate his mind (on God, because it is assailed by all sorts of thoughts. why not put up a `No admittance" notice and refuse to let those thoughts crowd into the mind?

Don't give up japa and meditation simply because you cannot concentrate your mind properly.

My only advice to you all is to forsake idleness. An idle brain is the devil's workshop. You must do everything with concentration and diligence.

Within everybody there is consciousness. This consciousness pervades the earth, the sun the moon, the stars, the sky, the air, etc., down to the minute being, and it is because of this consciousness that there is motion in everything.

In the transcendental state, i.e. the state of complete union with the Infinite, there is no outward consciousness; only a slight feeling remains there.

Contemplation on Him should enable us to gain lordliness over our passions and become masters of our souls.

The question that arises in my mind is, where shall we be after giving up this mortal frame? I asked Mahapurush Maharaj who told me that we would be in the Ramakrishna world where we would be keeping company with the Master. But I have decided not to go anywhere

10 November 2025

(Teachings of Swami Vijnanananda)

To contemplate on the Master all the time and not to forget him even for an instant is to be in his company.

That is Ramakrishna world - to think of him all the time with heart and soul, never losing him even for a moment.

One should not ask for anything from God but remain satisfied with whatever He is pleased to give. Real welfare lies in using things properly, wrong use of things brings misfortune.

You should be satisfied with whatever you can secure to keeping the body fit, and then, go on working selflessly for God.

There is a Hindi couplet which says that jewels, elephants, and houses, indeed, all wealth is just valueless compared to contentment.

It is all so difficult, you cannot have contentment so long as you are subject to worldly desires. Once they disappear, you are free.

Purity, Truthfulness, and honesty should make the cornerstone of your life. And there should be faith. With these a man will have contentment in life, whatever circumstances he may happen to be in. Contentment in all circumstances is the mark of religious life.

When we have control over our passions, we shall succeed; we shall ourselves then feel that we are advancing towards God.

When the mind is completely under your control, it will have nothing to exist on except noble thoughts.

11 November 2025

(Reminiscences by Swami Vijnanananda)

I was then about seventeen or eighteen years old and a student at St. Xavier's College in Calcutta. One day I went to visit Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. It was in the afternoon. Many devotees were seated in his room. I went in, prostrated before him, and then sat quietly in a corner. Seated on the small cot, Sri Ramakrishna was conversing with the devotees. In physical appearance he was like any other man, but his smile was something divine. When he smiled, a wave of joy played, not merely over his eyes and face, but over his whole body. And his blissful smile would wipe out the worries and troubles of those who looked at him. His voice was so sweet and melodious that one never tired of hearing it. His eyes were keen and bright, and his look was tender and affectionate. I felt Sri Ramakrishna's room vibrating with a tangible atmosphere of peace. The devotees present seemed to be listening in blissful absorption to the words which poured from the Master's lips. I don't recall what he said, but I still remember the transport of delight I experienced then as if it had been yesterday.

12 November 2025

(Reminiscences of Swami Vijnanananda)

For a long time, I sat there, beside myself with joy, and my whole attention was concentrated on Sri Ramakrishna. He did not say anything to me, nor did I ask him anything. One by one the devotees took their leave, and suddenly I found myself alone with him. Sri Ramakrishna was looking at me intently. I thought it was time for me to depart, so I prostrated before him. As I stood up to go, he asked, “Can you wrestle? Come, let me see how well you wrestle!” With these words he stood up ready to grapple with me. I was very much surprised at this kind of challenge. I thought to myself, “What kind of a holy man is this?” Anyhow, I replied, “Yes, of course I can wrestle.”

Sri Ramakrishna came closer, with a smile on his lips. He caught hold of my arms and began to shove me. But I was a strong, muscular young man, and pushed him back to the wall. He was still smiling and holding me with a strong grip. Gradually I felt a sort of electric current coming out of his hands and entering into me. That touch made me completely helpless; I lost all my physical strength. I went into ecstasy, and the hair of my body stood on end. Then Sri Ramakrishna let me go. He said, smiling, “Well, you are the victor.” With these words he sat down on his cot again. I was speechless. Wave after wave of bliss was engulfing my whole being. After a while, Sri Ramakrishna got up from his seat. Patting me gently on the back, he said, “Come here often.” Then he offered me some sweets as prasad, and I returned to Calcutta. For days the spell of the intoxicating joy lingered, and I realized that he had transmitted spiritual power to me.

13 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Of course one should devote time to spiritual practices, and this is the time. It is selfishness that is impure. First of all, a man should perform his duties according to his caste and order of life and when the mind is thus purified, he should approach a qualified teacher for the attainment of Self-knowledge. There is no way out unless one has fulfilled one’s duties. And the moment you have truly finished the duties of one order of life, those of the next naturally come up. But the case is different for those who have never entered the world since their boyhood. “Thousands of Brahmanas who were Brahmacharins from their boyhood have reached heaven without continuing their line.”

(To the Sannyasins present) That you people did not enter the world was due to the good impressions of past lives. You have finished all that already, so where was the need for you to enter the world again? It is because you understood everything that you gave up. You have forsooth been born with this privilege. Don’t you see that the world is mad after sense-enjoyment? People run into debt to get married. And before the debt is cleared, perhaps, they die! Whenever anybody spoke to Shri Ramakrishna about giving up the world, he would say, “If you are sincere you will find the circumstances gradually becoming favourable.”

14 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

It is selfishness that is impure. First of all, a man should perform his duties according to his caste and order of life and when the mind is thus purified, he should approach a qualified teacher for the attainment of Self-knowledge. There is no way out unless one has fulfilled one's duties. And the moment you have truly finished the duties of one order of life, those of the next naturally come up. But the case is different for those who have never entered the world since their boyhood. "Thousands of Brahmanas who were Brahmacharins from their boyhood have reached heaven without continuing their line."

(To the Sannyasins present) That you people did not enter the world was due to the good impressions of past lives. You have finished all that already, so where was the need for you to enter the world again? It is because you understood everything that you gave up. You have forsooth been born with this privilege. Don't you see that the world is mad after sense-enjoyment? People run into debt to get married. And before the debt is cleared, perhaps, they die! Whenever anybody spoke to Shri Ramakrishna about giving up the world, he would say, "If you are sincere you will find the circumstances gradually becoming favourable." He never said, "Leave everything and come away." "If you are sincere"… that is what he used to say, because he knew the contents of everyone's mind.

In everything pertaining to this world there are two factors, your own wish as well as the Lord's. Hence it is highly prejudicial to take any step through personal obstinacy. Of course He is inside all, as the controlling principle. Shri Ramakrishna used to tell the parable of a woman in love. She attends to all her household duties but her thoughts are on her lover. When in this way her whole mind goes to her lover, she breaks the family ties and follows the man of her heart. Isn't it a beautiful parable? Work with one hand and serve the Lord with the other. When the time comes, you will be able to serve Him with both hands. And the time does come if one is sincere.

One should be consistent in thought and words. It won't do to let the lips utter something which the mind does not approve. What the mind thinks, the lips too should express, and vice versa. What has once come out of the lips must be carried out at all costs. One who acts thus finds everything getting favourable to him.

15 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Predestination has no meaning. In that case, nothing can be done on earth. Even virtue and vice become non‑existent. The only case in which predestination holds good is the resignation of the perfect devotee. He works automatically. There is no difference whatever between his will and the Divine will. But that too has its test; no wicked action can be done by him. He never takes a false step.

One should elevate the soul with the help of the mind and never depress the mind. The mind verily is one’s friend, and it is also one’s enemy. One whose mind is satisfied with knowledge and realization, who is unchanged in all circumstances, who has controlled his senses, and looks alike upon a clod of earth, a stone, or a piece of gold, is called a Yogi. (Gita)

Shri Ramakrishna used to give no other blessing except this: “Mother, let them have illumination; let them be conscious of their real nature.”

Swami Brahmanandaji then used to live with him. It was his relatives who brought him to the Master. But when they found that he was about to renounce, they did not like it. First of all, they spoke to Shri Ramakrishna. He did not pay much attention to it. Suresh Babu (Surendra Nath Mitra) then used to spend something on the comforts of the devotees of Shri Ramakrishna. One day, Manomohan, a devotee of Shri Ramakrishna and a relation of Rakhal Maharaj, said, “Suresh Babu does not like that Rakhal lives here.”

Immediately Shri Ramakrishna called out, “What! Who is Suresh? What has Suresh got to do here? Hallo, throw all that (some bedding etc.) away; remove them at once.” (Whenever the Master got excited, everybody would be terribly afraid. None would dare come near.) “Because these boys have good characteristics that tend to spirituality, I keep them with me. And I pray to Mother to bless them so that they may realize the Self. My idea is that they should first attain realization, and then they may live anywhere they like.”

Hearing this, Suresh Babu fell at his feet and, with tears in his eyes, said that he had never said such a thing, that it was all false.

16 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"Now you are going down and down, because you do not know the real nature of the world. First know it and then be in it and you won't get bound. Is the world evil? The root of all trouble is that you don't know its nature. Where do you try to flee? By doing so you will be placed between two devils. You will have neither God nor the world. In the Yogavasishtha we read that when Vishwamitra came to king Dasharatha and asked for Rama, the king said to him, 'Rama is getting reduced every day. I think the spirit of Vairagya (dispassionateness) is upon him. How can I, under the circumstances, send him with you to fight the Rakshasas?'

At the king's command Rama came to the court, saluted those present and took his seat. Then Vishvamitra said to him, 'Well, Rama, if you have got Vairagya, we must rejoice at it as it is a rare boon. But tell me why you are getting increasingly emaciated and out of spirits everyday. There's nothing in it to make one melancholy.' Then fathoming the contents of Rama's mind Vishwamitra said to Vasishtha, 'Look here, Please give Rama the instructions that Brahma gave you and me after our fight. Let him realize the Truth and be in the world.'

"Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'Be converted into gold and then you may remain even in an unclean place. You will then remain gold throughout.'

"It is not good to give up the world simply because one has not been successful in it. People sometimes wake up only to fall asleep again. One can rouse a man who is really asleep, but it is difficult to knock up one who is only feigning."

17 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

"Really speaking, it doesn't take one much time to attain realization. But men are apt to 'fall asleep', which means that past tendencies are too strong for them. One has to summon up all one's resolution and rouse oneself, determined to do or die. One is perhaps dreaming of a woman, but the counter tendencies are so strong that even in dream he is getting indignant. He is alert even in dream. We are not mere machines; we can be alert in all conditions. Whether a man will succeed in attaining realization or not depends upon the amount of earnestness he has. This is the test.

"You are your own witness. If any mistakes have been made, well, let bygones be bygones. Say, 'I won't do any such thing in future.' And if you do not repeat the act, then you attain your object. Whenever one's mind condemns a wicked course of life, one should sincerely repent and do evil no more. As one begins to feel repugnance to wicked deeds one must resolutely discard them, then can one be free from their clutches. 'I will not do it any more', one has to say this with great vigour and determination. If one expiates for old sins but commits them again, it will lead to worse result.

"Shri Ramakrishna disliked a happy, go-lucky spirit. He used to say of Swamiji: 'See, what a heroic temperament he has! As soon as he sets his mind on a thing, he applies himself heart and soul to it.' Circumstances may or may not be favourable, but who cares? We must strain every nerve to accomplish the thing. If you are determined to do it at any cost, you will find that great obstacles, which you thought would overpower you, ultimately turn out to help you."

18 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Whether a man will succeed in attaining realization or not depends upon the amount of earnestness he has. This is the test. "You are your own witness. If any mistakes have been made, well, let bygones be bygones. Say, 'I won't do any such thing in future.' And if you do not repeat the act, then you attain your object." Whenever one's mind condemns a wicked course of life, one should sincerely repent and do evil no more. As one begins to feel repugnance to wicked deeds one must resolutely discard them, then can one be free from their clutches. "I will not do it any more"—one has to say this with great vigour and determination. If one expiates for old sins but commits them again, it will lead to worse result. Shri Ramakrishna disliked a happy, go-lucky spirit. He used to say of Swamiji: "See, what a heroic temperament he has! As soon as he sets his mind on a thing, he applies himself heart and soul to it." Circumstances may or may not be favourable, but who cares? We must strain every nerve to accomplish the thing. If you are determined to do it at any cost, you will find that great obstacles, which you thought would overpower you, ultimately turn out to help you. But you must struggle sincerely.

Does one find circumstances always propitious? Consider what you have got to do as your duty and go on. Are you not undecaying and immortal always? So why should you go about seeking favourable circumstances? It is you who have projected all this. "He who wishes to think upon the Lord after all his engagements have been finished, is like the fool who wishes to bathe in the sea after the waves have subsided." Nonsense! Will that moment ever come! Instead of doing so, you buffet against the waves, have your bath, and come out. The sea remains always the same. So, in this world, you must manage to call upon the Lord in the midst of these waves. It is a wild, goose-chase to be on the look-out for opportunities. Now or never! Apply yourselves to it, and disadvantages will turn into advantages. Thus says Ramaprasad addressing himself: "Don't you hanker after comfort if you will reside at the lotus feet of the Mother. Why should you be a fool in action? Try your best, and you will reap an excellent harvest." How beautifully expressed! There is no freedom, no respite until you have done your duties. That which you have given up without performing, will be waiting for you, only to appear again. Face the brute! You can't save yourself by flight. "Taking up the monastic life will be advantageous, while the householder's life is disadvantageous"—such considerations are futile. You cannot come to the next stage without performing the duties of the previous one.

19 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Aspire after higher things but never shirk the present duties. Don't do that. The case of those who live a celibate life from their boyhood is different. They have come with such good tendencies that even if they live in the world, they will live there as Sannyasins. But you are what you are; you cannot jump to a higher stage. Avoidance is not good, nor is it possible. Do your duties in the world but think of God all the while. The case of the woman in love who thinks always of her lover in all her daily duties is an illustration in point. One must pray from the bottom of one's heart to have a steadfast devotion for God. To make oneself fit, association with monks and occasional retirement into solitude are necessary. If one is sincere, the Lord Himself prepares the way. You have to offer this mind unto Him. You must churn out butter first, and then only it won't get mixed up by remaining in water. The greatness of a monk is in proportion to the amount of self-examination he has made, to the degree of intimate knowledge he has of his ins and outs. Self-examination is a very difficult task.

20 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

It is drizzling today, but the heat is also very oppressive.

Swami: Some say that Swamiji's ideas and Shri Ramakrishna's ideas are different. Goodness gracious! Are Swamiji's views different from the Master's? If any has doubts, why doesn't he come forward and have them solved? Discussions are always beneficial. When I was lying seriously ill at the Holy Mother's place in Calcutta, I used to have long discussions with Swamiji. He would say, "Let us first find out the truth through contemplation, and then we shall work."

To be in the Ramakrishna Order and not accept its creed is very bad. One must see what the creed is. People would take all the advantages of the Mission but won't accept its creed. The spirit of Swamiji, that he would be born a hundred times simply to serve others, this is the creed of the Mission, which they should accept. Otherwise, why should they be in it? Are there not lots of monks? Let them beg their food and meditate.

Swami: With whatever evil tendencies one may come, one is sure to improve in holy company. As when you go to an Attar shop, the scent will enter your nostrils, whether you want it or not.

21 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: “Shri Ramakrishna stands for the synthesis and harmony of all religious paths. The spiritual growth of a person following a particular line was the rule in the past. But now one should have an all-round development combined with a magnanimity of heart to tolerate others.”

Now the conversation drifted on to self-surrender.

Swami: “We can be at perfect peace if we can resign ourselves to the Lord. Let Him do what He thinks best. It is foolishness to dictate terms to Him as regards His dealings with us. Once you have surrendered yourself at His feet, there should be no room left for the assertion of your individual will. He knows what is best for you. Even if you pray for what is not desirable, He will do the right thing by you.”

It was the birthday of the Holy Mother, and many devotees were present in the Swami’s room. Referring to the recent pain he had in his toe he remarked, “There is no knowing why such a thing happens or why it increases or decreases. People hazard some patchwork of an explanation, but behind everything in the universe there is the great Divine Mother. I have realized that behind everything in the universe there is a great Energy at work. And She is all good. Even the worst suffering a man undergoes is due to Her will. And it is ultimately for his good, for such suffering removes countless past impressions from his mind.”

22 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "Man has to his credit the actions of many previous births, which must work themselves out. Nothing particularly wrong has been committed in this life, but there are the accumulated sins of many past lives. These sufferings are due to them."

A.: "It might also be a case of vicarious punishment."

Swami: "Yes, some people argue that way also. Formerly I had not much belief in such a theory, that one suffered for the sins of another. Now I fully believe in it. One can easily increase the happiness or decrease the misery of another. The extent to which one can so help another depends upon one's spiritual powers. The lives of Shri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother have strengthened my belief."

Swami: "The great power of Shri Ramakrishna and Swamiji is at the back, so the work of the Mission is going on smoothly, and new recruits are coming. Nowadays I advise all to stick to their posts. One must stay somewhere, so it is best to continue where increased experience will give greater facilities for work."

The Swami was reading *Vichitra Jagat* (The Wonderful World) by the late principal Ramendra Sundar Trivedi. Eulogizing the author he remarked: "One can explain a thing if only one has a clear grasp of it, which is the outcome of concentration. Better still is meditation. At Srinagar I used to meditate on the Upanishads. It was a pleasant occupation. In this way eight Upanishads (the first eight) were committed to memory."

23 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: What is meditation but absorption in a subject? By concentrating on a subject, its inner secrets are revealed. "First you have to prepare the mind. After that, any subject to which you may apply it will stand explained. The method of controlling the mind is by seriously watching it for some length of time. It can be done both by love and by discipline, according to circumstances. The mind should be under your control; it must not be allowed to ride on you, for then the tables will be turned. Even the least attachment to anything gives the mind a loop to control you as it pleases. You become a slave to it, which is not the case if you are unattached. Lust, attachment, and the like are one and the same thing, varying only in intensity. 'Therefore, first control the senses, O Arjuna, and conquer lust which destroys one's knowledge and realization' (Gita). One must turn the mind away before it gets attached to any object. Otherwise, it becomes an impossible task afterwards."

Referring to a noted person the Swami observed, "What will mere words do if there is no character behind them? That is the great stumbling block for all. Shri Ramakrishna would say, 'Almost all have been caught in the snare of sex attraction. Only a few have been saved by the Divine Mother.' It is a most dreadful attachment. People are all right so long as they do not come under its influence."

24 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: “A man under the spell of lust can stoop to anything. ‘Lust and gold’, and ‘the palate and sex, impulse’ are short expressions denoting the same thing. If one gives up these enjoyments, one verily renounces the world. One who can do this indeed sets at naught the whole world.”

Swami: “The world is a dreadful place. Only falsehood reigns here. For a monk truth is everything. If he gives up truth, he can progress no more. Innocent lies are untruths all the same.”

Referring to somebody’s slackness as regards truth the Swami said, “Truth is God. Falsehood is Maya. One gets everything by holding on to truth. Shri Ramakrishna taunted Pundit Shivanath Shastri with the words, ‘You are all such sane people, but how can you speak an untruth? You call me insane, but never does an untruth escape my lips!’”

“Wishing to keep the incident of the Kalighat priest’s kicking him a secret, the Master asked Hriday (his nephew) to elicit from him a promise not to mention it to anybody. Hriday at first objected. But Shri Ramakrishna made him elicit the promise from him three times, and then remarked, ‘Now it will never escape my lips’. For the good of the priest, he thus put himself under a vow to observe silence on the matter.”

25 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: “Sri Ramakrishna once had an engagement with Sri Jadu Mallick. But he forgot about it, being engrossed in conversation with a number of visitors. At 11 P.M., when he was about to retire for the night, he suddenly remembered it. Immediately he had a lantern lighted, and accompanied by Swami Brahmananda, went to the garden. Finding the gate closed, he put one foot in and shouted, ‘Here I have come’. He had given up everything but could not give up truth.”

“It is a tremendous ordeal to abide by truth. A good deal of sacrifice is needed. To keep something secret, saying ‘I won’t tell it’, is also a kind of untruth. To be absolutely frank and open in one’s dealings is real truthfulness.”

“How dreadful is this realm of Maya! What stormy billows on it! One can watch it calmly only if one succeeds in removing oneself from it, is non-attached. Otherwise, there is a great danger. But it is very difficult to remove oneself from it.”

Swami (To one who wanted to leave Varanasi): “Do not be restless. Only the other day you came from Calcutta. If you go now, it will be setting a bad example. Control the mind, be not controlled by it. Surrender yourself to Him alone, your everything, your body, mind, and soul. ‘O my Mind-bird, why fly from tree to tree tasting different fruits? Have thy eternal nest on One who can offer thee the greatest fruit.’”

26 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Well, people are not often inclined to associate with holy persons, and few have the capacity to do so.

Shri Ramakrishna would be talking and the devotees listening, but their companions would whisper, 'Well, let us go, how long will you be listening?'

The devotees of course would have no inclination to leave, and their friends would say in exasperation, 'So you remain here, we shall be waiting in the boat.'

How beautifully would Shri Ramakrishna describe this!

"Well, holy association is bound to produce good effects, for life only can communicate life.

Nothing but a round body can give a round shadow. Life can give much more than writing can. What a tremendous difference is there between reading and hearing a lecture! In writing, also, the more life one puts into it the more effective it becomes. Look at Swamiji's writings and those of other Swamis. Personality is the chief thing. It is only a handful of men who are directing this world, the rest follow like sheep.

On his return from his travels all the world over Swamiji remarked, 'Democracy is a myth. Only a handful of men rule everywhere.'

"A country goes to ruin when it fails to produce the right type of men for its task.

Ours is a religious country. She has all along been producing saints. Show me one period of her history when she has failed in this.

A single life has been inspiring thousands of people, and that for centuries! Look at Nanak. Look at Kabir. See how long Tulasidasa has been swaying this part of the country (United Provinces).

26/11/2025, 08:02 - ~ Hari Om left

27 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Swami: "It is very difficult to get rid of bad influences, if once they have a hold on the mind. If the youths are convinced of the utility of chastity and the evils of its opposite, they may afterwards marry and turn out decent citizens. Those who are spiritually bent are free from temptation, for chastity is the bedrock of spirituality. Unless one is chaste, the mind is never steady. The body is formed of the elements and is swayed by thought. If the mind-stuff is disturbed the elements are destroyed. Therefore, it should be carefully protected. A steady mind-stuff only can give rise to a bright understanding. The best element in our body is preserved by chastity. If there is no chastity the mind becomes unsteady. Then the image of the Chosen Deity (Ishta) is no more clearly reflected in it. Shri Ramakrishna used to say, 'If the coating of mercury is all right, then the mirror gives a perfect image; but if there is any break, the image is defective.'

What is the mind-stuff? It is that which gives rise to thought, where the first impression is received. So, if the very source of thought is agitated, meditation is out of the question. We simply go on reading about mind-stuff (Chitta), mind, intellect, but which is which, one has to understand by diving deep into the interior. It is difficult to escape if the mind-stuff has already received bad impressions. Hence the Lord says in Gita: 'Therefore, O Arjuna, first control the organs and kill the wicked lust, which destroys both knowledge and realization.'

Look at the immensity of the evil!"

28 November 2025

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

“It is very difficult to get rid of bad influences if once they have a hold on the mind. If the youths are convinced of the utility of chastity and the evils of its opposite, they may afterwards marry and turn out decent citizens. Those who are spiritually bent are free from temptation, for chastity is the bedrock of spirituality. Unless one is chaste, the mind is never steady. The body is formed of the elements and is swayed by thought. If the mind-stuff is disturbed, the elements are destroyed. Therefore, it should be carefully protected. A steady mind-stuff only can give rise to a bright understanding.

“The best element in our body is preserved by chastity. If there is no chastity, the mind becomes unsteady. Then the image of the Chosen Deity (Ishta) is no more clearly reflected in it. Shri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘If the coating of mercury is all right, then the mirror gives a perfect image; but if there is any break, the image is defective.’

“What is the mind-stuff? It is that which gives rise to thought, where the first impression is received. So, if the very source of thought is agitated, meditation is out of the question. We simply go on reading about mind-stuff (Chitta), mind, intellect, but which is which, one has to understand by diving deep into the interior. It is difficult to escape if the mind-stuff has already received bad impressions. Hence the Lord says in Gita: ‘Therefore, O Arjuna, first control the organs and kill the wicked lust, which destroys both knowledge and realization.’

Look at the immensity of the evil!”

29 November 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Premanandaji Maharaj.)

(Spiritual Talks By Swami Turiyananda)

Q.: “Can one attain to the knowledge of Brahman by practising chastity for twelve years at a stretch?”

Swami: “Undoubtedly. Through the power of Ojas, the knowledge of Brahman unfolds itself. The knowledge already exists within; we have only to unfold it. If you can maintain your chastity for twelve years, the mind gets steady, with the result that the knowledge unfolds itself. What power but this helped Swamiji to revolutionize the world!

“About Keshab Chandra Sen, Shri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘Had Keshab renounced the world, he could have done much more work.’ Swamiji used to tell us, ‘Do you think I only lecture? I know I give them something solid, and they know they receive something solid.’

“In New York, Swamiji was lecturing to a class. Oh, the tremendous effect of it! K. said that while listening to the lecture he felt as if some force was drawing the Kundalini up, as at the time of meditation. After the lecture was finished (it took an hour), K. announced that he would hold a question class. Most of the audience had gone after Swamiji’s lecture. Swamiji rebuked, saying, ‘A question class after this! Do you want to spoil the effect of my lecture?’

“Just see! Oh, what a Power Shri Ramakrishna left for the world in Swamiji! Hasn’t he changed the very thought-current of the world? Think of the strength of one whom nothing could tempt!

“Once a monk frankly told me that for eighteen years he had been grinding Vedanta but was not yet above the temptation of sex. His mind had evidently developed some liking to Vedanta.” TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA

Remain some days in Jayrambati with the Holy Mother. Serve her. Thereby be blessed and realize the object of human life. This is my earnest wish. With what patience, forgiveness, and forbearance does she lead her life at home! Never has such an ideal life been visible in this world. If such an example does not result in your remoulding your life, then there is no hope for you. Seeing the Holy Mother is equivalent to seeing Sri Ramakrishna. Only in her native village can we perceive the Holy Mother's real nature. What substance she has! You will learn how large-hearted and loving she is. Seeing her makes egotism and conceit fly away. Try to learn thoroughly her ways and manners. She has infinite compassion for all mankind. We should become full if we were to get but a particle of that compassion. Brahmacharya means performing the ritualistic worship, doing japa, meditating, and studying, with faith and reverence. Austerity means making the lips correspond with the heart. Does this state consist only in uttering a few mantras while taking the vows of brahmacharya in a formal way? X. has asked whether the picture of Sri Krishna can be kept in the shrine of Sri Ramakrishna. Pictures of all gods and goddesses, of all religions, can be kept there. Sri Ramakrishna was a great leader in all sects of all religions. 30 November 2025.

TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA

Do not see the defects of one another; see the good, the merits only. As Sri Ramakrishna said, be like the winnowing basket that retains the good grain, while rejecting the chaff: not like a sieve that lets the good material drop through and holds back what is worthless. We should move about freely, seeing the world as the manifestation of Rama. To hate and injure anyone is to hate and injure Rama, who pervades the whole world. My desire is to establish in every village and town the worship of Sri Ramakrishna. Through his name, may the whole world awaken. May the divinity within all be manifested through the power of that name. Work hard; exert yourself. Better to die while doing his work. Never be lazy. Do not agitate yourself, dreaming up all sorts of projects. The Lord does his own work. You be the instrument. If the idea that "I am the doer" gets hold of a person, it will be the cause of bondage; and no permanent good ever comes out of such deeds. Take refuge in Sri Ramakrishna with your words, deeds, and thoughts, and all will be well. The young men of East Bengal are very enthusiastic about Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. May more enthusiasm come; may indomitable energy grow! May the whole country be engulfed in a flood of love. May the flood of love come, submerging Hindus, Moslems, and Christians, big and little. May Europe, America, and all other communities, forgetting envy and jealousy, feel the strong current of love and intense devotion to one God, the Lord of all.

30 November 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Do not see the defects of one another; see the good, the merits only. As Sri Ramakrishna said, be like the winnowing basket that retains the good grain, while rejecting the chaff: not like a sieve that lets the good material drop through and holds back what is worthless. We should move about freely, seeing the world as the manifestation of Rama. To hate and injure anyone is to hate and injure Rama, who pervades the whole world. MY DESIRE is to establish in every village and town the worship of Sri Ramakrishna. Through his name, may the whole world awaken. May the divinity within all be manifested through the power of that name. Work hard; exert yourself. Better to die while doing his work. Never be lazy. Do NOT agitate yourself, dreaming up all sorts of projects. The Lord does his own work. You be the instrument.

'Jai Ramakrishna Date: 2023-10-05'

If the idea that “I am the doer” gets hold of a person, it will be the cause of bondage; and no permanent good ever comes out of such deeds. Take refuge in Sri Ramakrishna with your words, deeds, and thoughts, and all will be well.

Date: 2023-10-05

The young men of East Bengal are very enthusiastic about Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. May more enthusiasm come; may indomitable energy grow! May the whole country be engulfed in a flood of love.

Date: 2023-10-05

May the flood of love come, submerging Hindus, Moslems, and Christians, big and little. May Europe, America, and all other communities, forgetting envy and jealousy, feel the strong current of love and intense devotion to one God, the Lord of all.

1 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

To point out the path of peace, Sri Ramakrishna came in the guise of an illiterate man. He manifested himself to destroy the vain conceit of learned scholars.

Be guileless. Make the lips correspond to the heart, and thus sincerely think of him. You must make your lives blessed by realizing God in this very life. Chant his name and you will feel infinite power.

Let steadfastness grow in you. Believe that infinite power is in you. I pray to the Lord that he may bless you with real greatness and large-mindedness.

If a pitcher has a hole in the bottom, water poured into it will flow out. The holes in a spiritual aspirant are worldly cravings. The materials by which such holes can be repaired and kept closed are hearing the truth of God, meditating on him, chanting his name, reading sacred books, ritual worship, prayer, and so on. At every step you will be tested. Be careful, very careful.

This world is the world of relativity. Do not be unnerved in the least by pleasure and pain. Repeatedly convince yourself of the truth that change of condition is the will of God and everything occurs for our good.

Believe that any good that is done by you is by God's power and that you are mere instruments in his hands. Don't think of the work you do as a hard task at all; try to do it in an unselfish way, not seeking for the results. That will break bondage.

2 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

The self-same medicine will give different results, according to the type of ingredients taken with it. Thus, work is in one sense a bondage; yet if it can be done in a detached way, in a spirit of dedication to God, that same work will give you devotion and liberation. Confusion will arise and bondage result if you keep your eye on name, fame, or some other worldly objective.

Tell X. to consider his work as being equivalent to practising austerities, worshipping God with singing, going on pilgrimages, and fasting. I see that when he tries to sit in meditation he only falls asleep. Is that any good? Is it not better to devote his whole life performing deeds as service to God? On the other hand, to feel one has to do too much, to overwork, is also not good.

Work should be done smoothly, through love. Hard and fast rules are not good. Let affection be your watchword; they will give their hearts and lives in return.

I have learned through reflection that if the boys of the monastery do any wrong, it is not their fault; all the fault is mine.

If you want things to go well try to reform yourself; always keep watch on your own character and behaviour. Sri Ramakrishna taught us that if we see any defect in others it is our own defect. If you want to become great, see others as great.

3 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Young men, take note. Let the life of Sri Ramakrishna be your ideal. Follow in his footsteps and know for certain that thus you will be imbued with new strength and vigour. He is the embodiment and source of all power.

Make Sri Ramakrishna your ideal. Follow this ideal and know that you will become strong with a new strength. Our Master was the repository of all powers. The Holy Mother and the Master are one and the same; and Swami Vivekananda also was one with the Lord.

Study scriptures regularly. Mix with everybody freely, seeing Narayana, the Lord, in every person. You are the children of the Holy Mother; why should you feel fear or anxiety? Do you not realize whose blessing you have received? My boys, you are already liberated through her grace.

On all sides there is a demand for workers. Give your life as a sacrifice to disseminate the message of peace.

The Mission buildings which have come up because of your exertions are a worthy thing.

But at the same time, your faith, devotion, renunciation, and spirit of detachment must increase; otherwise, such external accomplishments merely cause more bondage.

Each of you have received initiation from the Holy Mother; you have renounced your hearth and home. Your one objective has been to gain faith, devotion, knowledge, and love.

Thus, it is a matter of deep regret that you three cannot live together in harmony.

Is it merely lip service when we say that the Hindus, Moslems, Buddhists, and Christians should reconcile and unite? Isn't such our heart's desire? What good then did we achieve, having seen the Holy Mother? What have you learned from her very wonderful life?

4 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

The vision of God makes all imperfec¬tions vanish, as darkness goes when the sun rises. Should not love and devotion arise in our hearts, dispelling ignorance and vain egotism?

Have faith and know for certain that since you have seen the Holy Mother you will become perfect. Yet three of you cannot live in harmony! You cannot give up your vanity and conceit; you cannot forget yourselves by plunging into love! You cannot kill your lower selves, and yet you want to realize God! At the same time, you claim to be worshipping God and serving humanity as an offering to God. Shame on you! If you have no love in your hearts, then your study, worship, and service are all in vain.

Sri Ramakrishna said, "Devotees of God belong to a caste by themselves.' Our ideal is to unite all mankind into that one caste of devotees.

Look, my children, there is the path still open to you. You are young, your minds are not hardened by worldliness.

Weep for the vision of the Lord and pray with all your heart to him; he will show you the path and guide you. Give up the sense of "me" and "mine".

I pray that you all may be united in mind and heart through the Lord's grace;

I pray that he may grant you the right understanding.

I am writing this letter not for you alone, but for all of you.

I am not angry with you, nor am I angry with anybody. I consider you as my own. I write this for your good.

5 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

When love arises in the heart, joy fills it.

Do not see the faults in others; see good in all and learn to love and honour all. Thus, did we brother-disciples live together at the Baranagore monastery. If we did not see Naren [Swami Vivekananda] for one day, we would run to Calcutta to see him. And what attraction, what unbounded love Naren had for us—until the last moment of his life! Now all that appears as a dream. And brother Brahmananda! Whenever I hear that he wants to go somewhere away from the Math, I feel empty in my heart.

The mind will always attach itself to something or other; so, it is best to have it fastened to God and his devotees. You have left home; the devotees are now your next of kin. To live like this is to live a Life of self-surrender and concentration of mind. Lose yourself in love; be drunk with love.

Forget "I" and "mine" by being absorbed in love. When the narrow little "I" goes, the Real will manifest itself and you will know bliss.

I scold you for your own good, considering you my own. I do not want to keep anyone at arm's length. I wish to make the whole world my own, through love. You, too, must make the whole world your own.

6 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Spiritual practice means to try to know our own defects and to learn how to remedy them. You will certainly become perfect if you make a habit of seeing the good qualities of others and taking on such qualities as far as possible.

If you do not manage to become perfect in the present life, it is doubtful whether you will be able to become perfect even in a thousand lives. Take the stand that in this very life you will achieve perfection. Delusion will then be broken and darkness will be removed.

All of you must be united in heart and mind through the grace of the Lord. Unity and harmony there must be. There is no other way. Know all to be the Lord's own. Everyone is good; only the little ego is bad. Shun this and you will be freed from all bondages.

Such dwellings will become purified through service to devotees and visits of holy men. "God, devotee, and scripture—all one" is a very grand teaching of Sri Ramakrishna.

To see the Lord in a human body is a very exalted state.

To guide others is very difficult. Unless you possess a special power from God, you will fail; egotism and conceit will take possession of you.

The secret of leadership is to forget the little "I" by holding on to "Thee". "Not I, but Thou, O Lord, art the doer."

For "God alone is real and everything else unsubstantial". Realize this truth in your heart of hearts.

7 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Fill your inside and coat your outside with love. I have been made a bond servant by the love of Sri Ramakrishna; by his love he made all of us bond servants. He was love inside and outside. Even his rebukes stem¬med from his love.

"Not I, not I; Thou art everything." God is everything. Whom to blame then? He is all. There is difference in manifestation only. If anything went wrong at the Math, Swami Vivekananda used to find fault with me. He would blame me very much. But his love had no limits, no bounds. I used to wonder why he should blame me, what my fault was.

Let the flood of bliss and peace come to all places throughout the world!

We have no other thought except the good of all the world; but our own will is not very effective. Sri Ramakrishna himself does his own work, and we are only instruments in his hands. Wherever any good work is done in the spirit of Sri Ramakrishna, his power and divine light will be given to us.

Take care of your health and do the work of Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji in thought, word, and deed. Maharaj [Swami Brahmananda] says that by your service to God in the poor and the destitute, you have reaped the effect of years of tapasya. You are blessed!

8 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

If God, the dispenser of the universe, is not generous, people's wants can never be satisfied by man's charity alone. Try to see the Lord's Lila even in these miseries and sufferings. He is the supreme benefactor, but man is deluded by playing with earthly dolls! He forgets everything by being satiated with lust and greed, and thirsting for name, fame, and honour. That is why the Merciful God brings famine, plague, and this great war [World War I], eventually for the good of many.

See and learn. Sri Ramakrishna has not sent you merely to distribute one or two handfuls of rice to famine-stricken people, but by such acts he wants you to manifest your greatness, your godliness. Learn how to build a lofty mind and a large heart! You may not get another such opportunity. The avatara of the present age has declared that God is before you in many forms. Where else should you go to seek him? Realize this by direct perception; make your human birth a blessing.

Do you not understand that we, the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, are only the instruments in the hands of the Lord? It is his power that is manifest in this monastery, and you are enabled to do these good works by Divine Power.

Believe that the fetters of karma can be severed, that you will get Para bhakti [supreme devotion] and that you will be jivanmuktas [free while living in the body].

What! Are you ordinary persons? Have you forgotten that you have the grace of Holy Mother, the Primal Power? How many in the world have this opportunity and good fortune?

"Not I, but thou, 0 Lord"—this idea appeals to me most. "I am the instrument. Thou art the operator. I am the chariot, Thou art the charioteer."

This is what the supremely merciful Lord makes me understand day by day. Holding to the feet of Lord Hari, by the power of Lord Hari, serve Lord Hari in all mankind.

9 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Know that his grace is on you. You have the grace of illumined souls also. God is the inner ruler; he sees and knows everything. Pray and tell him all your wants with a guileless and sincere mind. He is more yours than you yourself. He will certainly listen to your prayers. Taking refuge in him, engage in your sadhana. With his grace, your life will be blessed.

Is a person worthy to be called a human being if he cannot give up selfishness, if he cannot give up his pleasures of the senses? To take the name of Sri Ramakrishna, and at the same time to be selfish! Is there any progress for such a hypocrite? Think wisely and firmly and act accordingly.

I am sorry to hear of your poor health. I now and then sing the following songs: In whatever state you keep me at any time It is all for my good, if I do not forget you. Whether you keep me besmeared with ashes, ornament me with gems, jewels or gold, Place me under a tree or on a throne, It does not matter. Only let me not forget you.

Remain within yourself.

O Mind, do not go to anyone else's house, Remain seated where you are, And seek within the recesses of your heart.

Whatever you desire, you will find there.

10 December 2025

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI PREMANANDA)

Rules and regulations can govern behaviour; but they cannot control the mind.

Worship Sri Ramakrishna with all your heart and soul and you will gain good results. In time there will be harmony between you and others.

Devotion and faith are unique. Man is always intent on outward things—name, fame, honour, and so on. We want intense, maddening love for God, firm and unshakable faith, and infinite confidence.

Away with all quarrels and factions. We have come here for only a very short time; why such anxiety for tidying things up? Let others do as they like.

I heard from Sri Ramakrishna the following song: I will go with my burden to Ayodhya Where Rama will be crowned king. I will give my burden to Rama.

Taking refuge in him, Clasping his feet to my heart, I shall say to Rama: "I have given back the burden you gave me; Give me no further burden on earth.".

Seek refuge in the Lord. Under all circumstances keep recollectedness of him. Never forsake him.

TAKE REFUGE in Sri Ramakrishna and hold fast to him. Why think merely of your disease and ill health? Know always, and under all circumstances, "I belong to the Lord. The Lord is my eternal treasure; he is the one Reality, the source of my wellbeing."

Always think, "naham, naham" (not I, not I, but Thou, my Lord). Chant the name of God as much as you can, and you will have no fear. We are the children of Mrityunjaya, the conqueror of death. Remember this always.

Let strong renunciation and intense yearning possess you. Then only will you experience God's grace and receive peace. Call to him in secret. You must pull him to you with your mind and heart. Then only will he appear before you.

11 December 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. On this Holy day may our Divine Mother bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi)

"Such is life, here today, gone tomorrow! Nothing goes with one, except one's merit and demerit; good and evil deeds follow one even after death."

"One suffers as a result of one's own actions. So, instead of blaming others for such sufferings, one should pray to the Lord and depending entirely on His grace, try to bear them patiently and with forbearance under all circumstances.

"My son, forbearance is a great virtue; there's no other like it. "One must be patient like the earth. What iniquities are being perpetrated on her! Yet she quietly endures them all. Man, too, should be like that.

"There is no treasure equal to contentment and no virtue equal to fortitude.

"You see, my son, it is not a fact that you will never face dangers. Difficulties always come, but they do not last forever. You will see that they pass away like water under a bridge.

"Don't be afraid. Human birth is full of suffering and one has to endure everything patiently, taking the Name of God.

None, not even God in human form, can escape the sufferings of the body and mind. Even Avataras, saints, and sages have to undergo the ordeal of suffering, for they take upon themselves the burden of sins of omission and commission of ordinary human beings and thereby sacrifice themselves for the good of humanity.

12 December 2025

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

"People complain about their griefs and sorrows and how they pray to God but find no relief from pain.

But grief itself is a gift from God. It is the symbol of His compassion.

Tell me, who is there in the world who has not had to bear sorrow?

Vrinda once said to Krishna, 'Who said you are merciful?

As Rama you filled Sita's life with sorrow; as Krishna you filled Radha's life with sorrow. In Kamsa's prison your parents weep for you night and day. Yet we call upon you, because he who takes your Name has no fear of death.

"The Mother of the universe is the Mother of all. From Her have come out both good and evil.

Disciple: "Where does this initiative for good and evil originate? You may say from our previous life; but where is the source of it all?"

Mother: "Even a blade of grass cannot stir without the will of God, my son. When a creature falls on good times, his thoughts turn to prayer; when he falls on bad times, all is evil. It is all according to God's will.

It is God alone who expresses His will through the actions of man. What powers did Naren (Swami Vivekananda) have by himself? It was because God acted through him that he achieved what he did.

The Lord knows what He is about to perform. But should a man surrender himself totally at His feet, He will do everything for him.

One must bear with everything, because it is all due to cause and effect, according to one's Karma.

Karma counteracts the effects of one's previous Karma. If you do a good act, it cancels the effects of your evil deeds. If one prays, takes the Name of God and thinks of Him, the effects of evil are cancelled."

13 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS

“Let me tell you one thing. There is great complexity in this creation. The Master does one thing through one man and another thing through another person. Oh, it is so inscrutable!

“Does it matter in the least to God whether you believe or not? Even the sage Suka Deva was to Him like a big ant at the most. Infinite is He. How much can you understand of Him?”

Pray to God with tears in your eyes whenever you want illumination or find yourself faced with any doubt or difficulty. The Lord will remove all your impurities, assuage your mental anguish, and give you enlightenment.”

“He who thinks always of the Lord, which way can evil come to him?”

“Open your grief-stricken heart to the Lord. Weep and sincerely pray, ‘O Lord, draw me towards You; give me peace of mind. ‘By doing so constantly you will gradually attain peace of mind.”

“One who makes a habit of prayer will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life.”

“My child, I bless you from my heart that you live long, attain devotion, and enjoy peace. Peace is the principal thing. One needs peace alone.”

“Certainly, you will have doubts. There will be questionings and faith will return again. That is how faith is established.”

“Is faith so cheap, my child? Faith is the last word. If one has faith, the goal is practically reached.

14 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS

“Does one get faith by mere studying of books? Too much reading creates confusion. The Master used to say that one should learn from the scriptures that God alone is real and the world illusory.”

“Why do people argue? Even the wisest of men have not found God through argument! Is God a subject for argument?”

“Give up this dry discussion, this hodge-podge of philosophy. Who has been able to know God by reasoning? Even sages like Suka and Vyasa are at best like big ants trying to carry away a few grains of sugar from a large heap.”

Disciple: “How can one stop reasoning?”

Mother: “Reasoning does not disappear as long as one has not attained to perfect knowledge.”

Disciple: “All I want to know is whether there is anyone whom I may call my own.?

Mother: “Yes, such an One exists.... He Himself has become our father and mother. He Himself brings us up as our parents. It is He alone who looks after us. Otherwise, where were you and where are you now? Your parents brought you up, but at last you realized that you did not belong to them.”

“God is one’s very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is everyone’s own. One realizes Him in proportion to the intensity of one’s feeling for Him.”

“God cannot be realized without love. Yes, sincere love.”

“Even the impossible becomes possible through devotion.”

Disciple: “How does one get love of God?”

Mother: ‘The grace of God is the thing that is needful. One should pray for the grace of God.”

15 December 2025

(Today is the birth-day celebration of Revered Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj. May the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

Time: Thursday, October 28, 1920.

In the morning, according to their custom, the monks of the monastery at Belur gathered upstairs in Swami Shivananda's room, where he was seated, looking very serious and indrawn.

Presently a monk unburdened his mind, saying:

`Maharaj, though I have been practising meditation to the best of my ability, I find hardly any joy in it. Most often I find I go through my practice as through a routine. That does not satisfy my heart nor does it give me any peace.'

Swami Shivananda said very quietly: 'Look here, my boy, peace is not such an easy thing to attain. The way to peace is very difficult, full of thorns. "Sharp as the blade of a razor and hard to cross is the way to Self-knowledge? so the sages have described it."

These are the actual words of the illumined seers. The path is indeed extremely difficult, however easy it may seem to those who have not entered it. Great effort is required to make progress in the realm of the Spirit. But if one wants to realize God, it is certainly true that he will receive His grace. You must have read in the life of Sri Ramakrishna that even he had to go through tremendous spiritual discipline before gaining the vision of the Mother.

‘Spiritual efforts without sincere love for God are fruitless. Sincere love is what counts. The Master used to say that when the three attachments? that of a devoted wife for her husband, of a mother for her child, and of a miser for his wealth become one, then one realizes God. If anyone feels the same intense longing as would result if these three attachments were united, only then does he have God-vision. Sincere love brings God-realization and in that alone is genuine peace and joy.

16 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

(THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS)

“In the course of time one does not feel even the existence of God. After attaining enlightenment, one sees that gods and deities are all Maya. Everything comes into existence in time and disappears in time. Deities and such things really disappear at the dawn of enlightenment. The aspirant then realizes that the Mother alone pervades the entire universe. All then become one. This is the simple truth.”

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“Listen, dear, when God first created man. He endowed him with the spirit of goodness. As a result, men were born with wisdom and it did not take them long to realize that the world was an ephemeral thing. Immediately they took the Name of God and set out to meditate on Him and by His grace were liberated from the bonds of life.

God thought, This will not do; this is not the way to make them play the game of life. ‘In the end, along with the spirit of goodness, He mingled in profuse quantities of the spirit of materialism and that of vanity. Now the game of life went on with a swing!”

“What an illusion Mahamaya has conjured up! Here is this infinite world, and what one claims as his possession will be left behind at death. Still men cannot understand this simple truth.”

“A person may have no relatives anywhere, but Mahamaya may make him keep a cat and thus make him worldly. This is how She plays!”

17 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

A disciple asked if all men could get rid of desires.

Mother replied, “How can they? If they could, then the creation would come to an end. The world is going on because not all can be free of desires. People with desires are born again and again.”

“As long as a man has desires there is no end to his transmigration. It is the desires alone that make him take one body after another. There will be rebirth for a man if he has even the desire to eat a piece of candy.

Desire may be compared to a minute seed. It is like a big banyan tree growing out of a seed, which is no bigger than a dot. Rebirth is inevitable so long as one has desires. It is like taking the soul from one pillow-case and putting it into another. Only one or two out of many men can be found who are free from all desires.”

“The body means the existence of desire, otherwise it would not have existed. It all ends when one no longer has. any desires.”

“This world is moving around like a wheel. That indeed is the last birth in which one gets completely rid of all desires.”

“Those who are born to God have fulfilled all their desires. So long as a man has any desires, he is incapable of such devotion.”

“The Master used to say that the worldly person is like a spring mattress-sit on it and it goes down, but the moment you get up, it springs back at once. The regard and devotion for God of these worldly men is just like a drop of water on a hot plate- it evaporates in no time.”

18 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

Referring to one devotee. Mother said, “He is so deeply engrossed in worldliness and still he says, ‘Why do I not see the Master?’

Many women used to come to the Master and say to him, “Why can’t we concentrate our minds upon God? Why can’t we steady our minds? ‘and things like that. He would say to them, ‘You are like a new-born babe and still smell of the lying-in room. First get rid of that smell. Why are you so worried about realizing God now? Everything will happen in the course of time.’”

Referring to a man who criticized those who renounce the world. Mother said, “My child, men such as these are deeply drowned in the world. They never acquire love for God. They simply carry on, ‘coming into the world, suffering the calamities therein, and going away from it” again and again. If after doing so many a time, the Lord has mercy on them in some birth, they will attain liberation.”

“How little intelligence does a man possess! He may require one thing but asks for another. He starts ‘to mould an image of Shiva and often ends by making that of a monkey’. It is best therefore to surrender all desires at the feet of God. He will do whatever is best for us. But one may pray for devotion and detachment. These cannot be classed as desires.”

“In one word, one should desire of God desirelessness. For desire alone is at the root of all suffering. It is the cause of repeated births and deaths. It is the obstacle in the way of liberation.”

19 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

‘There is no happiness while living in this body. The world is full of sorrow. Happiness is only an empty word.

Only those who have received the grace of the Master can recognize him as God, and that is their real joy.”

“What is there in this world? Tell me what is good in this life? That was why in the end the Master took only bitter things. I would try to give him sandesh and he would say, ‘What is there in sandesh? It is just the same as clay.’”

“Do you notice this human body? Today it is and tomorrow it is not. And the world is full of misery and pain. Why should one be eager to have another birth? The body is never free from its attendant troubles.”

“However spiritual a man may be, he must pay the tax for the use of the body to the last farthing (i.e. undergo suffering and death incidental to the embodied state).

But the difference between a great soul and an ordinary man is this: the latter weeps while leaving this body, whereas the former laughs. Death seems to him a mere play.”

“Everything, husband, wife, or even the body, is only illusory. These are all shackles of illusion. Unless you can free yourself from these bondages, you will never be able to go to the other shore of the world. Even this attachment to the body, the identification of the self with the body, must go.

What is this body, my darling? It is nothing but three pounds of ashes when it is cremated. Why so much vanity about it? However strong or beautiful this body may be, its culmination is in those three pounds of ashes. And still people are so attached to it. Glory be to God!”

20 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“The whole world is a dream; even this (the waking state) is a dream. What you dreamt last night does not exist now.

A farmer who had lost a son dreamt at night that he was a king and the father of eight sons. When the dream vanished, he said to his wife, ‘Shall I weep for my eight sons or this one?’”

“The happiness of the world is transitory. The less you become attached to the world, the more you enjoy peace of mind.”

“These earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God.”

“If you love any human being you will have to suffer for it. He is blessed, indeed, who can love God alone. There is no suffering in loving God.”

“Always do your duty to others but love you must give to God alone. Worldly love always brings in its wake untold misery.”

“The Master saw dab-chicks floating, diving and swimming in the water of Haldar’s pond, but there would be not a drop of water sticking to them-they would just shake it off.

He gave their example and said that in this world one should live like these-live in the midst of worldly possessions, but from one’s mind one should completely shake off the attachment for them.

The Master used to teach everybody to live in the world completely unattached.”

“Everything is due to desire. What bondage is there for a man who has no desire? You see, I live with all these things, but I do not feel any attachment; no, not in the least.”

21 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

Disciple: “Mother, the Master loved renunciation, but how little we practise it!”

Mother: “Yes, you will acquire it slowly. You make some progress in this life. A little more in the next, and so on. It is the body alone that changes; the Atman remains the same.

Renunciation of lust and gold!

The Master used to say, ‘I can change Kamarpukur into gold, if I so desire, by requesting Mathur Babu to do so; but what good will that do? It is all transitory. “

“Sri Ramakrishna would say, ‘Musk forms in the navel of the deer. Being fascinated with its smell, the deer run hither and thither. They do not know where the fragrance comes from. Likewise, God resides in the human body, but man does not know it. Therefore, he searches everywhere for bliss, not knowing that it is already in him.”

God alone is real. All else is false.”

Control of the mind

“Everything depends on one’s mind. Nothing can be achieved without purity of mind.

It is said, ‘The aspirant may have received the grace of the Guru, the Lord, and the Vaishnava; but he comes to grief without the grace of “one’. That ‘one ‘is the mind. The mind of the aspirant should be gracious to him.”

“My child, this mind is just like a wild elephant. It races with the wind. Therefore, one should discriminate all the time. One should work hard for the realization of God.”

22 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

Control of the mind

Disciple: “I cannot concentrate my mind well during meditation. My mind is fickle and unsteady.”

Mother: “Don’t worry! Restlessness is the nature of the mind, as it is of the eyes and ears. Practise regularly.

The Name of God is more powerful than the senses. Always think of the Master, who is looking after you. Don’t be troubled about your lapses.”

“Whenever the mind goes after anything other than God, consider that as transient and surrender the mind at the sacred feet of the Lord.”

“The mind naturally tends towards evil deeds. It is lethargic in doing good works. Formerly I used to get up at 3.a.m. and sit up for meditation. One day I felt disinclined to do so on account of physical indisposition. That one day’s irregularity resulted in the upsetting of my routine for several days.

That is why I say that perseverance and tenacity are necessary for success in all good work.”

Mother forbade a disciple to make pilgrimages without discrimination of time and company.

Quoting from a song, she said, ‘Pilgrimage and excursion are causes of misery. Oh, my mind, don’t be restless about them.’ You can attain more in your house, if you are really earnest.”

Regarding weakness of the mind, Holy Mother said to a disciple, “Child, this is the law of nature. Have you not noticed the full moon and the new moon? Likewise, the mind is sometimes dominated by good, and sometimes by bad tendencies.

23 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

(THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS)

“In the course of time one does not feel even the existence of God. After attaining enlightenment, one sees that gods and deities are all Maya. Everything comes into existence in time and disappears in time.

Deities and such things really disappear at the dawn of enlightenment. The aspirant then realizes that the Mother alone pervades the entire universe. All then become one. This is the simple truth.”

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“Listen, dear, when God first created man. He endowed him with the spirit of goodness. As a result, men were born with wisdom and it did not take them long to realize that the world was an ephemeral thing. Immediately they took the Name of God and set out to meditate on Him and by His grace were liberated from the bonds of life.

God thought, This will not do; this is not the way to make them play the game of life.

‘In the end, along with the spirit of goodness, He mingled in profuse quantities of the spirit of materialism and that of vanity. Now the game of life went on with a swing!”

“What an illusion Mahamaya has conjured up! Here is this infinite world, and what one claims as his possession will be left behind at death. Still men cannot understand this simple truth.”

24 December 2025

“I wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year”. May the New Year Bring abundant grace and spiritual life. May Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda bless us all with devotion and Faith.

How to Follow Christ and Disregard the World’s Prizes

The Lord says, “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness’ (John 8:12).

Christ encourages us to pattern our lives after him, so we can become spiritually enlightened.

Our most important task, then, is to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s teaching is superior to all the teachings of the saints, and if you have the Spirit you will discover through him “the hidden manna’ of the Word (Rev. 2:17).

Many who have heard the gospel all their lives have not been affected by it because they do not have Christ’s Spirit. If you truly want to understand and enjoy the words of Christ you must attempt to live like him.

What is the point of scholarly discussion of a deep subject like the Unity, if you lack humility? You can be sure that profound talk does not make anyone holy and just, but a pure life pleases God. I would rather feel contrition than know its definition!

If you knew the entire Bible by heart and were familiar with all the philosophers, what good would it all be without the love of God and his grace?

Anything other than loving and serving God is ‘useless, useless... all useless’ (Ecdes. 1:2).

25 December 2025

(From The Imitation of Christ)

Have a Humble Opinion of yourselves.

It is natural for all of us to desire knowledge, but what is the value of knowledge without respect for God? The most ordinary person who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself while studying the stars.

If you really know yourself, you will see that nothing about yourself is worthy of praise.

I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets... but if I have no love, I am nothing’ (1 Cor. 13:2). When I stand in God’s presence, I am judged by the things I do.

Great learning can be a distraction; it can make you try to appear wise in order to win praise. There are many things you can know which will be of little value to your soul, and it is not wise to waste your time on them. Words do not nourish the soul, but a life well-lived brings comfort to the mind. A clear conscience will give you confidence before God.

If you think you know a lot about something, remind yourself that there are many more things you do not know. ‘Do not be proud but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise’ (Rom. 12:16). If you want to learn something worthwhile, learn how to be a nobody.

The most profound and valuable lesson of all is to truly know yourself and to have a humble opinion of yourself.

Think well of others. If you see someone else engaging in a sinful act or a crime, do not let that make you think more highly of yourself.

“You do not know how long it may be before you also stumble. All of us are frail; consider yourself no stronger than anybody else!

26 December 2025

(Today is the Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Saradanandaji Maharaj. On this Holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

SWAMI SARADANANDA: TEACHINGS

You need not meditate long on your Guru but just remember and salute him and then spend most of the time in the meditation of your Chosen Deity. Meditate on the Deity as you go on repeating His name.

Since past mental tendencies cannot assert themselves during the performance of duties, you should apply your whole mind to them. Selfless work is the best means of winning a victory over past tendencies.

The (Ramakrishna) Mission does not like to express any opinion, good or bad, about political discussions, for the Master did not instruct us to do anything of the kind, and Swamiji asked the Mission to keep itself aloof from such effort. That is why the Mission has been all along engaging itself in spirituality and service to humanity. Since all things are subject to change, therefore the present condition will change some day and political freedom will come.

But the Mission does not know and does not care to know how far off is that consummation. The Mission’s concern is with how the general public can become strong in spirituality and character.

Once the people become possessed of character, spirituality, and strength, they will themselves be able at that time to decide how they will organise their society and conduct the administration of their country.

One must have faith in the enlightened souls and carry-on religious practices accordingly. Otherwise, it leads nowhere trying to understand the pros and cons of their teachings through our impure minds—occupied as they are with thoughts of the world—and then to carry them put in practice.

Hence give up the attempt for understanding everything and start your spiritual practices by relying on what the Master has taught.

When you sit down for meditation, first think thus: “It is my own Chosen Deity, who like an eternally pure and indivisible ocean pf Existence-Knowledge- Bliss, pervades everything and I also exist within Him. It is He who exists everywhere inside and outside myself.” Thinking on this idea for a while start your Japa and meditation as usual. This will remove the unsteadiness of the mind.

If the mind continues to be unsteady, pray to the Lord, “Lord, kindly make my mind steady!” Know this for certain that He hears whatever you say and knows whatever passes in your mind.

27 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

(THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS)

“A person may have no relatives anywhere, but Mahamaya may make him keep a cat and thus make him worldly. This is how She plays!”

A disciple asked if all men could get rid of desires.

Mother replied, “How can they? If they could, then the creation would come to an end. The world is going on because not all can be free of desires. People with desires are born again and again.”

“As long as a man has desires there is no end to his transmigration. It is the desires alone that make him take one body after another. There will be rebirth for a man if he has even the desire to eat a piece of candy. Desire may be compared to a minute seed. It is like a big banyan tree growing out of a seed, which is no bigger than a dot.

Rebirth is inevitable so long as one has desires. It is like taking the soul from one pillow-case and putting it into another. Only one or two out of many men can be found who are free from all desires.”

“The body means the existence of desire, otherwise it would not have existed. It all ends when one no longer has. any desires.”

“This world is moving around like a wheel. That indeed is the last birth in which one gets completely rid of all desires.”

“Those who are born to God have fulfilled all their desires. So long as a man has any desires, he is incapable of such devotion.”

28 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

(THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS)

“The Master used to say that the worldly person is like a spring mattress - sit on it and it goes down, but the moment you get up, it springs back at once. The regard and devotion for God of these worldly men is just like a drop of water on a hot plate- it evaporates in no time.”

Referring to one devotee. Mother said, “He is so deeply engrossed in worldliness and still he says, ‘Why do I not see the Master?’

Many women used to come to the Master and say to him, “Why can’t we concentrate our minds upon God? Why can’t we steady our minds? ‘and things like that. He would say to them, ‘You are like a new-born babe and still smell of the lying-in room. First get rid of that smell. Why are you so worried about realizing God now? Everything will happen in the course of time.’”

29 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

Referring to a man who criticized those who renounce the world. Mother said, “My child, men such as these are deeply drowned in the world.

They never acquire love for God. They simply carry on, ‘coming into the world, suffering the calamities therein, and going away from it” again and again. If after doing so many a time, the Lord has mercy on them in some birth, they will attain liberation.”

“How little intelligence does a man possess! He may require one thing but asks for another. He starts to mould an image of Shiva and often ends by making that of a monkey. It is best therefore to surrender all desires at the feet of God. He will do whatever is best for us. But one may pray for devotion and detachment. These cannot be classed as desires.”

“In one word, one should desire of God desirelessness. For desire alone is at the root of all suffering. It is the cause of repeated births and deaths. It is the obstacle in the way of liberation.”

‘There is no happiness while living in this body. The world is full of sorrow. Happiness is only an empty word. Only those who have received the grace of the Master can recognize him as God, and that is their real joy.”

“What is there in this world? Tell me what is good in this life? That was why in the end the Master took only bitter things. I would try to give him sandesh and he would say, ‘What is there in sandesh? It is just the same as clay.’”

30 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

“Do you notice this human body? Today it is and tomorrow it is not. And the world is full of misery and pain. Why should one be eager to have another birth? The body is never free from its attendant troubles.”

“However spiritual a man may be, he must pay the tax for the use of the body to the last farthing (i.e. undergo suffering and death incidental to the embodied state). But the difference between a great soul and an ordinary man is this; the latter weeps while leaving this body, whereas the former laughs. Death seems to him a mere play.”

“Everything, husband, wife, or even the body, is only illusory. These are all shackles of illusion. Unless you can free yourself from these bondages, you will never be able to go to the other shore of the world. Even this attachment to the body, the identification of the self with the body, must go.

What is this body, my darling? It is nothing but three pounds of ashes when it is cremated. Why so much vanity about it? However strong or beautiful this body may be, its culmination is in those three pounds of ashes. And still people are so attached to it. Glory be to God!”

“The whole world is a dream; even this (the waking state) is a dream. ... What you dreamt last night does not exist now. ...

A farmer who had lost a son dreamt at night that he was a king and the father of eight sons. When the dream vanished, he said to his wife, ‘Shall I weep for my eight sons or this one?’”

31 December 2025

(Teachings of The Holy Mother)

“The happiness of the world is transitory. The less you become attached to the world, the more you enjoy peace of mind.”

“These earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be - all and end - all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God.”

“If you love any human being you will have to suffer for it. He is blessed, indeed, who can love God alone. There is no suffering in loving God.”

“Always do your duty to others but love you must give to God alone. Worldly love always brings in its wake untold misery.”

“The Master saw dabchicks floating, diving and swimming in the water of Haldar’s pond, but there would be not a drop of water sticking to them - they would just shake it off.

He gave their example and said that in this world one should live like these - live in the midst of worldly possessions, but from one’s mind one should completely shake off the attachment for them. The Master used to teach everybody to live in the world completely unattached.”

“Everything is due to desire. What bondage is there for a man who has no desire? You see, I live with all these things, but I do not feel any attachment; no, not in the least.”

Disciple: “Mother, the Master loved renunciation, but how little we practise it!”

Mother: “Yes, you will acquire it slowly. You make some progress in this life. A little more in the next, and so on.

It is the body alone that changes; the Atman remains the same.

Renunciation of lust and gold! The Master used to say, ‘I can change Kamarpukur into gold, if I so desire, by requesting Mathur Babu to do so; but what good will that do? It is all transitory.’