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Question: Sir,Thank you for your reply. I have a few more doubts which I hope you will be able to clear.
1. Why do monks or fakirs keep turbans? Is it a symbol of anything?
2. In olden days monks used to beg alms from house to house, what is the reason for this?
3. Sri Ramakrishna considered a monk who begs for his alms as the purest. Do the present monks of the Ramakrishna order beg for alms?
Answer: There is no such rule as to Monks and Fakirs to keep turbans. It symbolizes nothing. Depending upon the climatic conditions and the likings of the individuals they may wear a turban or a cap or any suitable headgear.
This is known as Madhukara-Vriiti. This is with a view to see that no individual house holder is burdened in the maintenance of a Sadhu.
Ramakrishna Order monks beg for alms for three days after being ordained into the Sannyas. This is a part of the ceremony. However they will also beg for alms when they stay in some parts of the Himalayas or during their wandering days. Since the Ramakrishna Order takes care of the basic necessities of the Monks staying in their Ashramas and also the present day social set up particularly in the cities is not conducible, they do not go for begging
Question: I am a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa since I was 15 years old. I have a small doubt
1. What is the difference between Yogi and Muni
2. What is the difference between Guru and Jagatguru
Answer: Yogi and Muni are more or less the synonyms. Yogi means a person who is striving for the realization of the Paramatman following the
path of Yoga that is union between Jivatman and Paramatman. Muni is a person who is known as Manana-sheela – a person who is contemplating on the higher reality with a view to realize his identity with the supreme Self.
Guru is a spiritual teacher who helps the disciple to lead a higher life. The Jagatguru is one who is a highly evolved soul who can raise the consciousness of the whole world and put the society on a higher track.
Question: I have a question. While I am meditating, I saw the light is being taken out from my heart.
I had similar dreams that someone is cutting my head and light is being poured out from my head instead of blood. I also dreamed twice that, I am flying up and up through rocks. I have no control over it. In the end there is light all over. First time I dreamed of it. There was someone scary standing with red suit in the light. I felt so scared. I started to pray the God and then I woke up. Second time I was praying through out the dream. I didn’t see the red suit person. Then I woke up. I don’t understand all these meanings. I was hoping may be you could help me sir?
P.S.: I don’t meditate regularly. Whenever I feel like it, I do it.
Answer: Don’t meditate between eyebrows. Meditate in the heart. It is better to consult some experts in person.
Question: I was wondering if God created everything, then God must have created all the negative things in life. For example laziness, depression hunger, sadness. Therefore why do we have to work hard to get rid of these negative things?
Answer: If you want to remain at animal level or go down to animal level you need not struggle to get rid of negative thoughts and actions. If you want to become human or divine then only you have to work hard and become a civilized woman or manifest the divinity with in you. It is left to you at what level you want to remain and raise to what height.
Question: What is the symbolic representation of emblem of Ramakrishna Math? Can you please explain the same?
Answer: The significance of the emblem of the Ramakrishna Math is as follows: The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma Yoga (Yoga, i.e., the communion with God through Action), the lotus of Bhakti Yoga (Yoga through Divine Love), and the rising-sun of Jnana Yoga (Yoga through Reasoning). The encircling serpent is indicative of Raja Yoga (Yoga through Mind Control) and awakened Kundalini Shakti (Coiled-up Energy), while the swan in the picture stands for the Paramatman (the Supreme Soul). Therefore, the idea of the picture is that by the union of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga & Raja Yoga, the vision of Paramatman is obtained.
Question: Swamiji, while praying or hearing devotional songs, why the tears are coming automatically. But, if I want to cry in my mind, it won’t. How and why this is happening? I will be grateful to u if you are giving me the answer.
Answer: Sometimes when the emotions are high that tears flows. You need not have to attach much importance to it. Continue to pray as your spiritual Guru as guided you. Be a little rational.
Question: I have visited Ramakrishna Math in Bangalore and Pune, and am very much influenced with the philosophy of karma. I am interested in learning more and to be of more service to the Mission. Please guide me in this regard. Also, if there is any provision for joining Math duties and be a part of the Ramakrishna Mission, like becoming a monk etc. Please guide me or route my request to the concerned.
Answer: We are glad to know that, you are impressed with the philosophy of Karma. If you are interested in learning more, please read Karma Yoga by Swami Vivekananda.
You have mentioned about joining the Math as a Monk. We are sure you have got a clear conception about the Monastic Life.
a) A person can join our order only if he is unmarried and has not yet completed 28 years.
b) You must have no family encumbrances.
C) Be sound in body and mind.
d) Must have read Ramakrishna, Vivekananda literature etc. thoroughly.
Since this involves question of commitment for the entire life it is advisable to discuss the matter in person. If you decide to go over here, please let us know in advance and finalize your visit after knowing our availability.
Question: There is a doubt that had been lurking in my mind since the past few days: Our entire quest is to eliminate sorrow. We are essentially dissatisfied and therefore searching for a way out of this satisfaction. We seek to improve our “concentration” in this process. But then, in deep sleep we are naturally in a state where there is no dissatisfaction. This obviously means that we need not “attain” some special capabilities to get beyond dissatisfaction, isn’t it? Since if we were to attain some capabilities, these capabilities not being in deep sleep, we should not have been able to remain without dissatisfaction.1.
Now, the difference between deep sleep and awaking state is this ego. And it appears to me that all Sadhana is ego driven. We can clearly see the ego saying: “I will ‘attain’ Moksha”. “Attainment”, “goal”, “achievement”, “success”, “failure” etc are undoubtedly languages of ego, are they not? This ego seems to be essentially confusing me by saying that, I will have to “attain” something to remain without dissatisfaction and this is an error as I am able to remain in dissatisfaction in my deep sleep without attaining any such capabilities. Is not every kind of Sadhana is misdirection by ego? Is ego driving us from post to post in the name of Sadhana? Prahalada says that God is everywhere around. I see all about me and I do not believe. Is it ego which expects some exotic experience to note the presence of God and thus misleads us from seeing God? Is it again this same ego which makes me seek all sorts of exotic experiences, while here and now I am in the embrace of God? Is this thinking a Sadhana too or is it all to be is missed a mere intellectual jargon?
Please tell me, where am I heading towards? Sadhana seems unimportant to me. Some times I sit down and cry before God, some other times; I simply look at the outside world. Some times, I am carried away by my sexual instincts, some other times I feel sexual instincts cannot even touch me – and truly so, even incidents that can provoke sexual instincts fail to touch me then.
Answer: You are right that man always wants to go beyond all sorrows. In Sushupti, we are not aware of anything; but only on waking we are able to understand that “I slept well” or “I was in joy”. It is a state where we are covered with ignorance and not aware of our true nature. Consequently when we wake up we are our own old self – with joys, sorrows, miseries, etc.
The same person after continued and long spiritual discipline attains Samadhi (super conscious state) where he is aware of his real nature in contrast to that of Sushupti. Therefore when he comes out of that super conscious state (Uttana) he becomes an enlightened person.
Therefore it has been told that if a fool enters into sushupthi he will come out as a fool only whereas the same fool when he enters into super conscious state (Samadhi) he comes out as an enlightened person.
There are various types of Sadhana depending upon once temperament and the stage in which one is there because we have to start our journey from the point where we are. This has given raise to various paths or modes of Sadhana. This is certainly confusing, particularly for the beginners since their mind is in a state of vagaries. When the mind becomes pure and concentrated one will be able to know the right thing.
However this process of purification and concentration – though concentration can be attained if the mind is not pure, it can be dangerous and will be of no use – one can take the help of an advanced or enlightened soul. Such a person we call as Guru (spiritual teacher). He will be able to give a proper guidance and the methodology to be followed. We have to have atmost faith (Shraddha) in his words and instructions and follow the same without any doubting in his instructions. When this is done for long without any break one can reach the stage where he will be beyond all sorrows by realizing once true nature which is called Atman.
The man’s desire to go beyond all sorrows is because of the innate nature of the Atman which is ever blissful (Ananda Swarupa) and where there is no misery or any such thing.
Please read the following books:
1. Jnana Yoga by Swami Vivekananda
2. Karma Yoga
3. Bhakti Yoga
4. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
You may also read Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda. This will clarify most of your doubts and guide you suitably.
Question: I have got some questions related to my experience during meditation as said by Vivekananda.
Once I was trying to concentrate on the flame of a candle in my mind closing my eyes after a few moments. I withdrew my mind from the rest of the world and then I experienced acute silence. Then after a few moments, I felt as if my head and body moving in circular motion and then I felt acute silence. During this time I wasn’t even able to feel anything even my self. This was the state of bliss I believe. But still, I am a bit surprised and afraid of doing this again. I have experienced this twice for 2-hrs. Please guide me.
Answer: The fear you are having shows you are fully identified with body and the objects of the world. What you need most is purification of mind. Purify your mind and feel that you are Supreme Spirit.
For the purification of the mind it is better to start meditating on your Ishta Devata in your heart level (not the eyebrow). You can keep in touch with our Mylapore Math and if you are not initiated it is advisable to have initiation (Mantra Diksha). But if you have already been initiated follow the instructions given by your Guru and discuss the matter with him. Read Swami VivekanandaÕs works and his bio-graphy.
Question: I could understand that there is some thing beyond the creation, which is functioning with great accuracy, like the planetary system to the minutest atom.
I also understood that priorities of persons differ and what is good for me need not be good for others, hence we choose different ways of life.
But Swami, more and more questions are cropping up in my mind as I try to understand your answer.
If the purpose of life is Self-Realization, then why should it be so difficult for human beings to understand? Why only a few realize it, and why should many suffer in this cycle of life and death? If there were a purpose, then God should have made it understandable to his children and protect them from the mundane sufferings, if he loves us.
Who is God (or the force behind this creation)? Is it possible to understand Him/Her/It and define? I agree that there is some thing behind this wonderful creation and perfectly functioning universe, but how can I realize that I have that force in me?
Does “Soul” exist in all the manifestations of this creation? All living things?
Answer: God is making us understand through innumerable scriptures. But the snare of the world is so strong that people prefer enjoyment of the world in spite of various sufferings.
The force which controls the universe is within you. If you try to realize by deep meditation you will find the answer.
The Soul exists not only in all beings but in the matter too. Only the difference is in its manifestation.
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