Question: How to overcome anger and jealousy? Even though I feel both these are bad tendencies they arise now and then. Once these tendencies arise in the mind it is not possible to think or do anything useful . I have found some benefit from self analysis. I wold like to have your valuable advice since it sometimes affects me very badly.
Answer: Anger and jealousy are like enemy for a person. It cannot be conquered in one day. But, it can be done by sincerely praying to God and also loving others instead of hating them. We should always remember that we get what we deserve and it does not serve any purpose by being jealous of other's prosperities. Instead, if we can feel happy by other's progress also, then only we can be friendly with all and be happy for ourselves. No doubt it is difficult to practise, but if we sincerely try, it will be possible.
Response to above Answer: Thanks for your reply. "We should always remember that we get what we deserve" I have come across this in Swamiji's books quite often and that is the sentence which used to answer most often the query that used to arise in my mind" Why should this happen to me?" But Mother Sharada's words also gives me lot of support. "Whenever you are in distress think that your mother is there with you." I see the Divine mother in my own mother. She is also a devotee of the Holy Mother.Mother Sharada also says that repitition of God's name can bring down the fruits of karma. Is mechanical repitition of use. Will it give us devotion. To be frank the way most of the time I repeat God's name I feel after some time it becomes mechanical repetition? Is this normal. Being a person with book knowledge my mind some times revolts against this. It says this is not devotion. Some where in Mother's gospel I have read that even mechanical repetition helps to calm the mind. Is this true. Also Shri Ramakrishna's words that " Beware of women and gold", as a householder sometimes I feel there is no escape from both. I the midst of this materialistic world what do you advise a householder like me. Some times I feel it is a duty of a house holder to keep something for the children. Is that not attachment to gold? Some times it is quite confusing. That is the time when I drop everything and leave everything to His grace. You deserve what you get.!!!. I sincerely beg your pardon if I have wasted your valuable time. Praying for Sri Ramkrishna's blessings
Reply to the above Response: Your statement on Swamiji is correct. He himself elaborates it later. Whatever we are destined according
to our past actions, we are bound to get it. That nobody can stop. Nor we get anything more than we deserve, even if someone wants to
give. The world goes on on the perfect theory of Karma.
As per the Mother's teachings of repetition of Lord's name, one starts with mechanically but slowly it turns to love. The repetition
of Lord's name has a tremendous power, which can no doubt reduce the force of bad Karma.
Sri Ramakrishna has never said, Women and Gold have to be totally given up for a householder. In fact he says, after having two or
three children, the husband & wife should live like brother and sister. As regards earning, he says that earning money is not bad, but
it should be earned in a right manner.
Sincerely pray to Sri Ramakrishna & He will definitely guide you in the right path.
Question: Actually, one question is haunting me since so many days but I have not been able to get a clear solution. It is, I am very
much inspired by the ideas of Swamiji, Thakur and Sri Sri Maa, and I want to mould my life according to their teachings. I was
formally initiated by The Present President, Swami Ranganathanadaji Maharaj four years back and since then I am trying to practise the
austerities sincerely. I am 26 years old , single, and working in a global software consultancy firm. My question is it good to give
importance to one's career or should one be careeristic? I take interest in my job but I am not at all interested to give all my
efforts, time and energy to my career. But then, in such a competitive environment one has to strive to be the best otherwise one will
just not survive. But also I am fully convinced that the worldy persuits are vague and temporary. And by going through the teachings
of Thakur, Maa and Swamiji I am convinced of the goal of our life. so, should one take renunciation in order to achive the actual goal
of our life? OR can one remain in the mainstream, do secular work and still practice the teachings of the great Masters? IN A
NUTSHELL, how should I mould my lfe according to the teachings of Swamiji and thus channelize all my thoughts and activities to become
A TRUE MAN ? I hope I have made myself clear.
For your information, I am in touch with the center at Mumbai, but I felt that I can discuss my question openly through this
platform.
Answer: Most of the people mistake the concept of the Karma Yoga. Of course, even Arjuna was confused. Krishna has clarified it
beautifully in the 2nd & 3rd Chapters of Bhagavad Gita. I wish you read it. Specially the book written by Swami Ranganathanandaji
Maharaj. Now, whether one is spiritual or materialistic, he has to put his whole mind to the work. This is called as dexterity in work
by Lord Krishna. Suppose, you just imagine, that you are directing an aeroplane which is flying in the sky by sitting in the air
station below, through your computer. At that time, if the thought enters in your mind that this world is temporary, I need not put my
whole concentration to it & you guide in a negligent way. What will be the fate of the people? You have to work hard & with full
concentration, but, at the same time you should be detached in mind. It is a very high stage & an ideal stage.
The best way to mould your life is - perform your duty in the best possible manner and at the same time spend enough time to spiritual
practices also. It also requires a good moral & ethical life. Read Swamiji's (Swami Vivekananda's) works as much as possible & I am
sure it will help you to mould your life in the best manner.
Question: i have been absorbed in studying vedanta for 2 years, and its message has impacted me so deeply that I am wishing to take sanyas. Please let me know how it is possible with your ashram.
Answer: Please let me have your full address, so that if there is any centre of ours nearby, I shall direct you to go & meet the Swami there, so that you can know things in detail.
Response to the above Answer: thank you for replying. I am living in Boston area, Mass. But actually i was in india for 9 months, i was living in an ashram. it is not possible to take sanyas there so i inquired with you since the teaching is the same vedantha. after 9 months of intense deconditioning from the concept of individuality near the illumined persons, I am finding myself back in america and the culture of body consciousness. all this creates a state of delusion and the necessity to survive financially invites further involvement. I was contemplating sanyas as a way to get focused on my dharma, which is to forget the false self. in the environment of worldy life where individuality is the only acceptable concept, it seems like an impossible ordeal. thank you for kindly replying to my message.
Reply to the above Response: We have a centre at Boston. You kindly get an appointment with Swami Tyagananda & meet him there. He will definitely guide you in the right direction. Our centre's address is:
Ramakrishna-Vedanta Society
58 Deerfield Street, Boston, MA 02215
Phone : (1)-(617)-536-5320
Fax : (1)-(617)-267-1082
Email : vedanta@ix.netcom.com
WWW : http://www.vivekananda.org
http://www.vedantaofboston.org
Please let me know after talking to him.
RESPONSE to the Above REPLY : I will be returning to india in a week for mahashivaratri, also to pick up my luggage from the ashram (Puttaparthy). I will be passing through Bangalore, it would be nice to visit your ashram. Thank you again for being so responsive.