Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi

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"Holy Mother" painted by Swami Tadatmananda

Used courtesy of the Vedanta Society of Southern California

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Dedicated to Sri Sarada Devi
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Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 261 13-October-2016

13-10-2016 Thursday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 261

Chapter 12 – Spiritual Ministry : 004

Spirituality can be literally handed down like any physical object, if the teacher possesses it and the student is capable of receiving it. A thought can be as vivid and real as a tangible thing. An aspirant can be initiated by a look or a touch or by mystical words. Only the most exalted teacher can awaken spirituality by a look or a touch, and then only in exceptional cases. The imparting of a mystical word, called the mantra, is the usual method of initiation. Real mantras are not created by the human intellect. They exist in the cosmic mind of God and are revealed to a qualified teacher. In the beginning was the Word. Different mantras are adapted to the different aspects of the Godhead and the needs of the pupil. Through some mantras the pupil can commune with God’s impersonal aspect, through some with His personal. Some mantras stimulate a disciple’s love of God, some his knowledge, and so on. Holy Mother said: ‘The mantra purifies the body. One becomes pure by repeating the name of God given by the guru.’ The mantra is to be regularly repeated by the disciple with concentration and devotion. It has an intrinsic power of its own. It kindles the spark of spirituality in the disciple. A disciple asked the Mother if the mere repetition of the holy word taught by a qualified guru really helped the aspirant, if he did not possess intense devotion. ‘Whether you jump into water or are pushed into is,’ she replied, ‘you cloth will be soaked, will it not?’ The mantra is generally chosen by the guru, who sometimes in its selection takes into consideration the feelings of the shishya. Besides imparting the mantra, the guru teaches through instruction, personal example, and silent influence. The last method can be used only by highly qualified teachers.

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Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 161 – 162

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