Richard got trapped in a quicksand. As he was being swallowed by the sand, he desperately grabbed a thorny bush. After surviving the ordeal he struggled to swim against the current of Ganges, and failed. As a he was drowning, a small boat passed with the boat man waving his hand to indicate to Richard to swim forward with the current of Yamuna. Still struggling, Richard finally began to lose hope, and on the verge of death, he once again heard the beautiful song, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. He finally swam with the current of Yamuna and survived.
After this life threatening experience, on the following morning Richard sat on the river bank, and now found the sand cool and soft. He thought;
“The sand scorched me like blazing fire, and later, was greedy to devour me. But now the same sand is cool and soft and gives me shelter. Like sand, a person influenced by circumstances can become viciously envious or affectionately kind. Our company and surroundings have a crucial effect on our consciousness. How important it is to be an instrument to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst. So much wisdom is being whispered through every grain of sand if only I have ears to hear.”
When people behave aggressively, and cause disturbance to the society, their violence and disturbance has to be certainly addressed. At the same time we need to know that a person is inherently good, and this negative behavior is a result of certain unfavorable circumstances that the person has been exposed to. We become victim of our circumstances and allow certain nature to act upon us. The challenge for us is to be free from these negative influences and choose to act rather than be acted upon.
Radhanath Swami explains on the basis of scriptures that there are three modes in nature which constantly influences mankind, and compels us to act even against our wishes. Just like the same sand displayed different properties at different times, similarly due to the influence of these modes, a person may appear kind and gentle, and at other times he could be angry. The three modes that bind all living entities are Goodness, Passion and Ignorance. They are like the invisible ropes that helplessly drag a living entity to act. Our mind and senses are pulled in different directions according to the prevailing modes in the environment. A spiritual seeker keeps his surroundings clean, in the mode of goodness. He is also careful of the company he keeps lest the lower modes, namely passion and ignorance overwhelm him. When we have no control on the environment, one on a spiritual pursuit endeavors with determination to go against the tide, and prays to be free from the influence of these modes.
Richard also felt that it is important in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst. This is a profound realization, as all relationships fail due to our negative natures rubbing each other. Radhanath Swami shares his understanding, “If we can appreciate others for their good qualities, they will be encouraged and will work on tapping that goodness more. Besides, genuine appreciation of others also purifies us of negative contamination and helps us see them for what they really are, pure spiritual sparks, and children of God. This is seeing from God’s angle of vision.”
Table of Contents
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........
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing two principles witth me when the environment aroound is not the best –
View Comment1. To endevor with determination 2. To pray
Radhanath Swami Maharaj has the vision to see wonderful lessons from each and every situation of life.
View CommentIt is really a eyeopener for me.Thanks to Radhanath Swami.I need to change my perception of seeing through the angle of scriptures.So that I will be happy in every situation.
View Commentyes, it really helps to appreciate others. it becomes easier to imbibe those qualities in oneself.
View CommentOur company and surroundings have a crucial effect on our consciousness. Radhanath swami has pointed this imp aspect we should look into.
View CommentSuch an important teaching by Radhanath Swami. thank you for sharing this.
View CommentVery good article. Thank you very much.
View Commentit seems very difficult to see and bring out the inhernt good in others. generally we are expert in bringing the worst out of others. i guess its because of the impuruties in our heart. richard had pure heart and he could experience and analize the situation in this wonderful way. lets be pure by following his example.
View CommentExcellent meditation.
View CommentThank you very much Maharaj. It is always easy to praise some body than criticizing. To the extent we are pure in our heart, we can appreciate others. H.H Radhanath Swami has explained this aspect nicely in this book.
View CommentWell said Maharaj “Genuine appreciation of others also purifies us of negative contamination and helps us see them for what they really are, pure spiritual sparks, and children of God”
View CommentOur contamination is so high that we could not have thought f doing this without your teachings.
“If we can appreciate others for their good qualities, they will be encouraged and will work on tapping that goodness more. Besides, genuine appreciation of others also purifies us of negative contamination and helps us see them for what they really are, pure spiritual sparks, and children of God. This is seeing from God’s angle of vision.”
What a realisation.
View CommentMaharaj is very observing
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has very nicely explained the right attitude to deal with each other i.e. to bring out the best in everyone by appreciating for what good has been done rather than showcase the negative qualities.
View Commentwonderful experience shared by HHRM about the river sand that at one stage was difficult on Maharaj and the same sand the other day was very calm and composed and provided shelter. Its up to us how we see in everybody and everything, haribol, rajesh karia
View Commentphenomenal experience with a quality learning, thank you for so wonderfully having explained this in your book Maharaj, bhakti
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Swami, Dandavat
View Commentone of the superb ideas to improve our attitude, just appreciate the best qualities and neglect the short comings, radhanath swami is really one of the best spiritual master among the rest,
View Commentwonderful!!
View CommentRadhanath Swami always emphasizes on seeing good in others and overlooking the faults & shortcomings because this will help us in making rapid spiritual progress.
View Comment“seeing from God’s angle of vision” so amazing understanding given by Radhanath Swami…thanks for sharing
View CommentRadhanath Swami always emphasizes on seeing good in others.Radhanath swami has pointed this imp aspect we should look into.Thank you swamiji.
View CommentA very nice meditation
View CommentThis meditation reflects one of the most important parts of Radhanath Swami’s life. He received the mantra which he is chanting since 40 years and preaching of it to the world.
View CommentEgo clashes is the biggest problem in todays age every where. In family (various relations), at office with colleagues, in same sport team, in same political parties etc.
This leads to huge problems; if only we understand the principles being explained by Radhnath Swami, we could avoid many such problems…
View CommentI loved this line of this realization a lot!!
“If we can appreciate others for their good qualities, they will be encouraged and will work on tapping that goodness more. Besides, genuine appreciation of others also purifies us of negative contamination and helps us see them for what they really are, pure spiritual sparks, and children of God. This is seeing from God’s angle of vision.”
thanks Maharaj for ur guidance in our spiritual life.
View CommentThanks Swamiji for sharin your realisations……please bless us so that we can try to develop the vision where we can see good in everyone
View CommentThis part of the article really touched me. It shows how we can perceive the same thing in various ways, if we can elevate our consciousness.
View Comment“The sand scorched me like blazing fire, and later, was greedy to devour me. But now the same sand is cool and soft and gives me shelter. Like sand, a person influenced by circumstances can become viciously envious or affectionately kind. Our company and surroundings have a crucial effect on our consciousness. How important it is to be an instrument to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst. So much wisdom is being whispered through every grain of sand if only I have ears to hear.”
Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing this and hopefully, one day, by Your mercy, we can try to imbibe the same mood.
A very thoughtful article indeed!!
View CommentThank you for sharing this article.this explains why we behave differently in different circumstances.and different people behave in different ways in same circumstances.because they are under the modes.
View Commentvery inspiring
View CommentRadhanath Swami, in one his discourses, mentioned that if we tend to be too critical of others all the time & simply focus on their faults & shortcomings, then very soon, the same faults & shortcomings will manifest within us. Therefore we should refrain from fault-finding & appreciate others’ sincere endeavours in doing service to God.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has beautifully analysed the situation in this world.
View CommentMaharaj is giving us the right perspective which we should have while judging anyone. He explains so beautifully. Thanks for sharing JAI !!!
View Commentvery nice article thank you
View CommentAmazing determination and sincerity on path of Search for the Absolute…Also ‘Power of Positive Attitude’ best demonstrated..seeing good in everything…Real optimism..seeing each problem as an opportunity to advance towards the Goal..Tx for being what you r and sharing these wisdom with others.
View CommentThanks Radhanath Maharaj. Thanks for awakening me
View CommentA very profound realization. Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful meditation.
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Swami Maharaj for your wonderful ‘ The Journey home’.
View CommentThe positivity can drive out the negativity for good. Lets fan it! Lets not judge others; everyone is originally divine.
View CommentMaharaj explained practical application of Spiritual Vision. Genuine Appreciation brings the Good out of others and purifies our heart.
View CommentThank you Radhanath swami, for teaching me the importance of appreciating others.
View CommentIts a BULLS EYE at heart the ways Radhanath Swami mentionend this one………I am simply AMAZED.
View CommentI liked this article and the way Radhanth Swami goes on to explain how three modes act on an individual ..
View CommentAs Radhanath Swami maharj said, criticising other will kill our spiritual life. As mentioned in the Nectar of instructions, even the propoensity to criticise should be curbed. Radhanath Maharaj is one of those rarest great souls who always sees good in others.
View Commentthis is so true. to see good in others is an absolute pre-requisite to be a good human being let alone entering the Kingdom of God
View CommentA very powerful lesson from this story of Radhanath swami
View Commentour heart should be open for realisations…then we can get wonderful realisations even in most testing conditions!
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj’s realizations from each and every incidence are quite deep and thought provoking.
View CommentHow important it is to be an instrument to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst! Thanks to Radhanath Swami for bringing out the best in everyone.
View Comment