Category Archives: FAQs

Selection from previously asked Question and respective Answers

Question on getting job and avoiding disturbing thought

Question: 1. I have no job. I have been searching for job from 3 years. I did one job oriented course also for job. Though I am trying to get job very hardly, it’s not coming. Force is very more to me from my home. I cannot bare any pressure in my present situation. Job getting is solution. But how can I get job? 2. I helped my friend in his marriage issue selflessly. But while I was helping them I behaved closely to them. They completely misunderstood me and avoided me. Though I tried to convince them they misunderstood me a lot. This also I cannot bare. Everyday those thoughts are coming to my mind. How can I avoid those thoughts? Please give me solution to these problems.

Answer: You have written that you are trying to get job very “hardly”. Try “hard.” You will be successful. Only the degree will not count, you must have sufficient general knowledge, good English, and communication skills. Equip yourself and face the interviews with self-confidence.
Forget the episode regarding your friend and your helping him. If you have done the help selflessly, without any motives, their should be no problem in vanishing the thoughts. Still if you fail consult a suitable councilor.

Question on worshiping Gods

Question: Everyday I pray in the morning by worshiping mother goddess (Durga) and then Lord Hanuman. First I offer prayer to Mother Goddess by chanting Durga Chalis and then Devi Kavach. After that I worship Lord Hanuman by Chanting Hanuman Chalis. But some people say that, I should worship only one God. In this way I am getting confused. Please guide me sir. Before prayers I offer water to Tulsi plant and other Plant and trees. I offer prayers in the room where I am sleeping. For this also there is objection. Although we have separate room for prayers but I am not able to concentrate in that room. Please guide me sir, what should I do.

Answer: You need a proper orientation in respect of your spiritual life. I do not know whether you have taken any Mantra Diksha (spiritual initiation) from any person and accepted him as your Guru. It is advisable for you to have initiation.
Please contact any of our centres which is nearest to you and talk to the Swamiji-in-charge. In the meanwhile start reading the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and Gospel of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. This will help you to a great extent. Do not worry much about the formal worships and customs.
You have written “for this also there is objection”. If the objections are from your family people, perform your spiritual practices by reading, Japa and meditation, contemplation etc. without much ado.

How to develop personality?

Question: Vivekanandaji’s most famous statement “if I got ten young personalities I will change the entire world” always inspiring me. I want to be like that personality. I want to change Bihar. Whenever I see the people, my eyes can’t stop the tears, for that work I need strength. I think that, I am unable to do it. I always defeated by myself. I always want to help others especially poor people. But how can I do that? How I can help and change my Bihar? I have no idea. I would like to complete study well. If u guide me, I can store much strength in myself by that I might not turn back in future for doing that job. I also got the problem in doing the meditation. Because in nigh, I never sleep before 2 a.m. so I can not wake up early morning. All the routine of my days is improper. How can I manage to meditate?

Answer: Now in your present stage concentrate on your studies and complete the course successfully. During your leisure time read Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Works of Swami Vivekananda and Meditation and Spiritual life by Swami Yatiswarananda.
You can meditate as per your convenience. Don’t bother about the ritualistic aspects.

How to do meditation and know the purpose of life?

Question: Two year back I had a very strong touch with Swami Vivekananda’s opinion. I studied few books of him and got inspire. At that time I was meditating daily. And all the time, I was trying to reborn my sleeping power .The question that is always hustling in my mind is: Who am I? From where I have come? Where I have to go? The most important question is what’s our aim? For which purpose I have got the life? At that time I was used to be in jolly mood, and study well. But after 3 months I was not able to study well and from that time my mind digressed.
After joining our college I was trying to meditate regularly. But I was not remaining much strong to fight the worldliness. But all the time I was thinking about GYAN. From last one month I am regularly meditating in the middle of eyebrow and in the middle of mind. I am always trying to forget myself and see the PARMATMA. But I do not know the proper way how I have to do DHYAN. So can I get SAMADHI? I want to know the truth of life and sacrifice all the life for helping others. Please help me to find the truth.

Answer: I find that instead of getting inspiration you are more confused. Now concentrate on your studies and complete the course successfully. This should be your first goal.
Continue to read Swami Vivekananda’s works and the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. This will clear many of your doubts. The life and teachings of Holy Mother Sarada Devi will also help you. Therefore, please read that also.
Stop meditating in the middle of the eyebrow. You can meditate at the heart level. In this connection the book Meditation and Spiritual Life written by Swami Yatiswaranandaji Maharaj will guide you better.
From your mail we are not able to make out where you are? It is advisable to have a personal discussion. Try to meet the Swami-in-charge of our any centre which is nearest to you. Or you can come and meet us during your semester holidays. The addresses of our centers are available in our website.

Bhagavad Gita’s messages look self-contradicting, how to interpret it correctly?

Question: In Bhagavad Gita Sri. Krishna tells to Arjuna to fight but again he says that one should follow non-violence (16 chapter). I couldn’t understand the purpose of his saying so.

Answer: The statement has to be understood with reference to the context, otherwise there will be contradictions. Please let me know the Slokas Gita where you find it so that we can give specific answers.
However in general, I would like to mention that as all of us know Mahatma Gandhiji fought against the Britishers with the weapon of the non-violence. A person saying that he professes non-violence refuses to fight the enemy after going to a battle field; is it justified?

Where to find a Guru for Meditation?

Question: I need to practice meditation and Yoga. But as said in many books if it were practiced with guidance of a guru, it is most effective. But in today’s world where to find Guru. If the Math is organizing the same, for distant people it is not helpful. Are there any books (except MEDITATION AND PRACTICES BY SWAMI ADISHWARANAD and GURUVINDA)

Answer: The books that you are reading are ok. Please also read books by Swami Vivekananda and Meditation and Spiritual Life by Swami Yatiswarananda.
Whenever you find time please come and visit us.

What is the minimum age to join Ramakrishna Order?

Question: Can I know the minimum age for becoming a monk. 2 years back when I had no faith in my self. I had tried for suicide due to certain reasons. But after I read Bhagavad Gita and teachings of Swami Vivekananda I am able to live normally. My parents want me to complete my graduation and then do what ever I want, like becoming a monk. So I have decided (not sure) to take up medical, because through that we can understand our brain and body. By understanding functions of our senses and organs we can be more self-controlled. I am following Bhakti Yoga. But I have not been able to meditate successfully though I am trying every week.

Answer: The minimum age to join our order is 18 years. It is advisable to complete your graduation first. By that time you will have better maturity.
In the meanwhile keep reading books of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. You can also keep in touch with any of our centers which is near to you. The list of centers and their addresses are available on the web.

Is dispassion spirituality?

Question: I feel intense dispassion now. I don’t like family, friends and relatives. I don’t even like my mother any more. It is not hate. I have wasted my precious time and I feel it all karmaphala. Is this spirituality? I don’t know how to love God? How do you deal with such situations? Just meditate or what?

Answer: The ups and downs in the life are natural. This can of course cause depression. Cultivate positive thoughts – give up negative thoughts. The whole thing depends upon our attitude towards life. Read good books and pray to God.

What does Swami Vivekananda expect from me?

Question: I am influenced by Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Literatures from my younger age. When I am in Bangalore in the year 2000 I have taken Pledge in front of Ramakrishna idol in Vivekananda Ashrama that I will join in the service of Ramakrishna order once I complete my Graduation. But I failed to fulfill it.
I have great desire to know who am I but I am not believe in God. And I dislike discussing about the God and disliking the persons who will try to Convenes me there is a God. First I want to know who I am without knowing myself why should I agree there is god who is visible.
I am feeling so guilty whenever I visited Ramakrishna temple. In my house they are looking marriage alliance for me. But I am not perfect and pure in mentality. I too have all weakness as a normal man has. Please advise me what to do. Please let me know what Vivekananda accepts from me as youth of India. I am ready to give up every thing.

Answer: We are glad to know that you are influenced by Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna literature from your young age. Please do not stop reading books on and by Swami Vivekananda. Those books will help you to clarify your doubts. We request you to read Jnana Yoga by Swami Vivekananda. When starting analyzing and negating the body – you can surely know who you are and what Vivekananda expects of you?

Are my visions in meditation true?

Question: I am doing daily meditation. Daily I see the Mata sit a place on a rock. She gives blessings to me. I don’t no is it true? And I am also seeing in visions wonderful colors. Please give details of meditation.

Answer: Your visions may be true. It may help you to meditate.
For details of meditation please read the book Meditation and Spiritual Life written by Swami Yatiswaranandaji Maharaj.