Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Question: How does one believe in the Infinite? Swamiji: All expressions of nature are the power and the glory of God. What is God? We do not know. That power that does not belong to man, that I call God.

An Excerpt from 'Children of the Rishis' by Swami Vivekananda [the 'lead' disciple of Sri Ramakrishna]

Reconcile knowledge and the natural world. It is the end of science when it [science] discovers Consciousness in it.

[Swamiji] The murthi [statue, image, picture] is formless but it appears as form. It is a rope but it appears as a snake. [see the Day 94 posting for explanation of the Vedantic analogy]. It is Brahman [the undifferentiated reality] but appears as the world. If each of us takes this and practises it . . .

I believe religion cannot be taught but it can be given. The nature of children is to love. In children love expresses itself naturally. Then comes thought. Love comes from God, but love is One, not two. We put our weaknesses on children.

Book: Whatever is not found in the Vedas is not found in the whole world.

[Swamiji] I went through God with form (and I love form) to the impersonal God. Everything It touches becomes It. When the experience is there, you will know. But then you will not say whether you know or you do not know.

Book: The highest expression of God is Ishwara [the one God]; Father in heaven; Allah.

For me pain is another form of God. Many a Truth is spoken in jest. Jesus covered secrets in parables. I cover my secrets in jest.

About the Author

Clive Simpkins is a Change Architect, Strategist, speaker, author and a chela [disciple] of Swami Shivapadananda (1938-1994), second President and Spiritual Head of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa. http://swamishivapadananda.typepad.com http://www.imbizo.com