After surviving the attack of the wild dogs, Richard (now Radhanath Swami) also recollected an analogy of the American Indians. The Native Americans say that within every heart dwell two dogs, a bad dog and a good dog, and both are battling with one another. Our negativities like lust, anger, greed and envy are represented by the bad dog. Our inherent divine nature like forgiveness, love, humility, and compassion is symbolized by the good dog. Radhanath Swami says whichever dog we feed the most by the choices we make will cause that dog to bark the most. As spirituals seekers, we must starve the bad dog and feed the good dog. Radhanath Swami felt the incident with the wild dogs that night at the outskirts of Khatmandu was a graphic visualization of what he was up against in his own internal journey.
The good dog bad dog analogy has been a repeated theme in Radhanath Swami’s discourses. He says the moment we decide to approach God and seek a solution to life’s problems we are immediately declaring war with our lower baser instincts. These material desires then surface with vengeance and challenge the seeker to fulfill them. It’s then that we have to make a choice for God. It’s a moment to moment struggle, says Radhanath Swami. God wants to test us if we are really serious about developing our love for Him. Therefore he allows our negative nature to surface and challenge us.
Radhanath Swami often compares the internal struggle of a spiritualist to the cleansing of a room. When we begin cleaning a room that has been dirty for years, a lot of dust starts rising in the room. We may cough and find it very uncomfortable initially but the need is to continue the cleaning despite the inconveniences. Eventually the room is cleaned of all dirt. Similarly when we begin chanting God’s names and show interest in spirituality, the cleansing process has started. A lot of our previous impressions of dust like negative thoughts churn in the heart. If we give up the cleansing process, it won’t solve the problem. Although we may be ‘coughing’ or struggling while cleansing the heart, the initial struggle will eventually bear fruit. The peace and joy that fills the consciousness when the mind and hear gets cleansed gives us tangible evidence of the practicality of the process of God consciousness.
Hearing that spiritual life also is a struggle may discourage some seekers. However Radhanath Swami brilliantly allays such fears. He says if we can constantly remember God as we are struggling in our internal journey, the struggle becomes tolerable. To the extent we remember God and offer our prayers and will to Him, we will find joy and shelter in God. Then the struggle is welcome. He also says that many times in retrospect our initial days appear wonderful because there was intense remembrance of God during our initial struggles. Radhanath Swami’s yardstick for success in spiritual life is refreshingly different from the popular myriad gurus. He says even if we are surrounded by difficulties and internal strife, if we can somehow remember God that is a more desirable state than a situation where there is no internal struggle and no remembrance of God. Radhanath Swami asserts, “A stage of uncertainty and internal struggle is healthy if we can somehow take exclusive shelter of God in that condition.”
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Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
This article is full of divine instructions……..
View CommentThis article is just what I was looking for. Thank you!
View CommentNice article by Radhanath Swami maharaj. We should keep feeding the good dog with humility, surrender and service.
View Comment“A stage of uncertainty and internal struggle is healthy if we can somehow take exclusive shelter of God in that condition.” These are the words of inspiration to take the shelter of Krishna always.
View CommentSuperb article.. Thank you so much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ji.
View CommentGreat meditation by HH Radhanath Swami wherein he gives lot of analogies to understand the need to tolerate our negativities.
View CommentThis analogy of good and evil dogs is quite enlightening. Thank you Radhanath Swami.
View CommentExtremely good article! Despite initial struggle, it is important to continue with the cleansing process!
View CommentThank You Radhanath Swami for this encouraging article
View CommentThe Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krishna is very merciful.He loves us unconditionally.We,the Jiva’s are responsible for separation from Him.Now after long time suffering in this world if we get an opportunity to re-establish our lost connection with Him through His messengers,then remembering Him under all circumstances is very important. Radhanath Maharaj has given us very nice instructions in this article and by following them faithfully we will be able to achieve goal of human form of life.
View Comment“A stage of uncertainty and internal struggle is healthy if we can somehow take exclusive shelter of God in that condition.” Very nicely explained. Thank you so much Maharaj!!
View CommentNice article by maharaj
View Comment““A stage of uncertainty and internal struggle is healthy if we can somehow take exclusive shelter of God in that condition.””-Thanks for an inspirational line.
View CommentThanks for sharing.
View CommentThank you HH Radhanath swami. Its not easy to not give food to bad dog but as you said we need to make choice for God.
View CommentReading this article helps me to understand the need to nourish the good dog.
View CommentAs HH Radhanath Swami says the ultimate goal of life is to remember God.
View CommentIt takes real determination to do the cleaning.Nonetheless the result is amazing.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is so positive person that he can take a good lesson from practically any event in life.
View CommentBeautiful explanation by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View CommentWe have choices at every stpe in our lives
View Commentdivine instructions
View CommentMaharaj always instructs us, we should always feed the good dog and starve the bad dogs. In this way we will spiritually progress.
View CommentIt is interesting to note that all struggles play a vital role in pushing us towards the Lord.
View CommentObstacles are indeed opportunities to come close to God…
View Commentinteresting note
View CommentAs HH Radhanath Swami nicely meditates, if some how or other we can remember God in all situations all struggles will be worth taking.
View CommentVery inspiring article.
View Commentenlightening read
View CommentThis article hits the core of some essential spiritual aspects.
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Maharaj to always guide us with your enlightening realized thoughts.
View CommentVery very grateful to you.
Beautiful explanation
View CommentAwesome class by HH Radhanath Maharaj !!
View Comment“If we can constantly remember God as we are struggling in our internal journey, the struggle becomes tolerable. To the extent we remember God and offer our prayers and will to Him, we will find joy and shelter in God.” This assures a sincere Sadhaka confidence to face tough situations in spiritual journey.
View CommentHH Radhanath Swami nicely meditates on this point of our own internal purification.
View CommentWonderful message
View CommentA stage of uncertainty and internal struggle is healthy if we can somehow take exclusive shelter of God in that condition – wonderful advice.
View CommentThe good and bad dog analogy sums up this topic really well.
View CommentAlways there is struggle within the heart. Very difficult to choose the best.Better depend on Krsna. Pray Him. Remember the instructions of a saint. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
View CommentDefinitely a topical issue.
View Commentso wonderfully explained if we sincerely follow H.H Radhanath Maharaj instruction we will surely come over with all the problem and struggles of our life and develop all those godly qualities and can take shelter of the Lord
View CommentThankyou for sharing this very wonderful article.
View CommentVery important – A lot of dust starts rising in the room,when we begin cleaning a room that has been dirty for years.
View CommentStruggle is the name of the game!!!
View CommentThanks Nice one!
View Commentnice and enlightening analogy, thank you radhanath swami
View CommentThanks a lot for such an inspiring article….Hari Hari
View CommentVery inspirational article. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentThank you radhanath swami for this nice article….
View CommentTrue, we face a lot of struggles in our spiritual lives. But the important part is to never get discouraged but continue with determination, devotion and faith in the Supreme Lord.
View Comment