On Spiritual Practice - Swami Yatiswarananda

Swamiji, should we plan for the future?

Yes, just as we plan a building. But don’t be too rigid after planning. It may or may not materialize. Don’t make a blueprint of your life. That does not mean you should not make a general plan. But afterwards leave everything to Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother. Let them make you do what they like.

What is tapas?

Self-discipline, sense-control and thinking of all men as Sri Ramakrishna and all women, including yourself, as Holy Mother. Merge all men and women in Them (Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother) and then, both of them in one Absolute Satchidananda.

Think of yourself as Atman and others also as Atman. Have a number of weapons with you. Use a knife. If it does not work, then use stronger cutting instruments and cut all the desires.

© "The Vedanta Kesari" (November, 1999) published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. Website: www.sriramakrishnamath.org. Reprinted with permission.

These Questions and Answers had taken place at different places and with different people. Most of them were asked by and recorded by Pravrajika Saradaprana of the Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata, in her Memoirs of Swami Yatiswarananda, from where they have been culled together.

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