Richard (now Radhanath Swami) was carrying quite a few spiritual books with him and was attached to them. He had Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Upanishads, Autobiography of a Yogi, books on Buddhism, one by Shankaracarya, and the Krishna book personally given by Srila Prabhupada. He felt it was a small library in his bag, although the weight of these books impelled him to consider giving away some of these books. However he couldn’t decide which one to give away. One day exhausted by carrying the bag, he put the bag down. Seconds later, as he reached down to lift his bag of books, he was shocked to see it was gone. After a frantic search everywhere, Richard reconciled that the bag was stolen. Although he was sad, he suddenly felt it was much easier to walk now. Radhanath Swami writes his realization
“The nature of the mind is to interpret nonessentials essential. The mind creates artificial needs, believing it cannot live without them. In this way we carry a great burden of attachments throughout our life. Attachment is itself a great burden on our minds. We may never understand the extent of the burden till, like my books or the earwax, we’re free of it. But if we find joy within, we can live a simple life, free of endless complications.”
Radhanath Swami frequently speaks on the absolute necessity for a spiritualist to spiritualize his consciousness. This happens by controlling the mind and practicing to remember God. Over a period of time a sincere sadhaka , practitioner, develops detachment. We are presently carrying the burden of many unnecessary attachments which prevent us from developing love for God. We are rather focused on our petty material needs. These material desires are vicious because they do not go away over a period of time; rather they multiply and become a huge burden in our heart. It seems impossible to et them out of our consciousness. Radhanath Swami prescribes constant engagement in bhakti yoga practices of hearing and chanting of God’s names with firm faith. This will help us get relief from the harassment of these burdens.
Radhanath Swami offers another interesting perspective on relieving ourselves of material burdens. He suggests we take up spiritual burdens by filling our lives with responsibilities for a spiritual cause. When we take the anxiety of uplifting others in their spiritual lives, we are automatically relieved of our own petty burdens.
Radhanath Swami also constantly appeals to all sincere spiritual aspirants to increase their attachment to God. As we increase our positive attachment, we are easily able to give up our wrong and unhealthy attachments to the things of this world.
Radhanath Swami also notes that the more we possess, the more we worry about losing what we have. The more things that grab our attention, the more worry confronts us. If we can give up many unnecessary things we can experience relief from the pangs of material troubles. He also once pointed out how people are always fearful of being alone or being with God. Therefore they fill their lives with unwanted things and spend hours in front of the television and internet. To experience real happiness we need to focus on the inner wealth of our communion with God, rather than focus on the flickering externals of this world.
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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........
Wonderful article and amazing lesson.
View CommentThank you for sharing.
All glories to HH Radhanath Swami.
Material attachments are sometimes burdensome.
View CommentWonderful way of removing anarthas from our mind, thank you very much for sharing.
View CommentGreat to know this valuable understanding !! Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj
View Commentconstant engagement in bhakti yoga practices of hearing and chanting of God’s names with firm faith. This will help us get relief from the harassment of these burdens.
Thank You Radhnath Swami Maharaf for this wonderful formula for getting relief from the harrasment of burdens.
View CommentEveryone is looking for some relief and detachment from this unsatisfying world.
View Commentyes, we have to lift some of the other burden than why not take up spiritual burden.
View CommentWhat a wonderful description by HH Radhanath Swami maharaja.
View CommentNice meditation by Maharak on how we should focus more on internal cleaning than getting attracted to the temporary allurements
View CommentHat’s off….. Radhanath Swami can learn from each and every situation.
View CommentThanks you very much maharaj for teaching us with your own example.
View CommentThe mind creates artificial needs, believing it cannot live without them. In this way we carry a great burden of attachments throughout our life. Attachment is itself a great burden on our mind. Very deep realisation.
View CommentThe mind creates artificial needs, believing it cannot live without them. In this way we carry a great burden of attachments throughout our life. Attachment is itself a great burden on our minds. But if we find joy within, we can live a simple life, free of endless complications.
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj tell us how to get rid of burdens of material attachments and live simple life with joy from within!
Hari Bol!
View CommentRadhanath Swami mentions very precisely today’s world situation “the more we worry about losing what we have”. This is what we see most of the people only struggle to maintain what they have instead of leading peaceful life.
View CommentWe are ourselves not aware of our own predicaments…..what luggages of material attachments we are carrying !!! God is so merciful that He relieves us of those attachments….But you need a visionary like Radhanath Swami for realizing that thing ! Thank you very much Maharaj !
View CommentSuch articles gives us relief.
View Commenthari hari what a nice article which gives idea to lead life.
View CommentTo overcome our material needs we need to engage ourselves in hearing and chanting God’s name and by taking up responsibilities for a spiritual cause
View CommentThank you for sharing this maharaja :).
View CommentWonderful article by Radhanath Swami maharaj…
View CommentThe answer to all of our problems is beautifully written at the end – “To experience real happiness we need to focus on the inner wealth of our communion with God, rather than focus on the flickering externals of this world”
View CommentSpiritual shelter is what we are all looking for, intrinsically.
View CommentSo many people are getting benefited by the immense spiritual power of Radhanath Swami’ sincere practice to please his Guru.
View CommentPractising Bhakti Yoga & chanting releases our burden from material harassment.
View CommentThanx for sharing :).
View CommentA wonderful message to take home and reflect on.
View CommentIts all our previous impressions along with mind makes an unbearable & impossible burden to lift.
View CommentThis is a message that needs to be heard over and over again.
View CommentThe nature of the mind is to interpret nonessentials essential. The mind creates artificial needs, believing it cannot live without them. The practical realisation.
View Comment“If we find joy within, we can live a simple life, free of endless complications.” All glories to Radhanath swami maharaj
View CommentNice instruction by Radhanath Swami on how to be focussed.
View Comment“How to relieve ourselves of material burdens. Take up spiritual burdens by filling lives with responsibilities for a spiritual cause. When we take the anxiety of uplifting others in their spiritual lives, we are automatically relieved of our own petty burdens.” Thank you Maharaj for this. It is so true. We can not be idle. The service to bring others closer to Krishna is the greatest.
View CommentVery true. The attachments we keep in matter prevents us to fully absorb in remembrance to Lord. Radhanath Swami offen share these thoughts in this lectures.
View CommentVery true–The nature of the mind is to interpret nonessentials essential–and we get so much distract unnecessarily–But by our sincere sadhana, associating with devotees will help us to overcome the mind tickling game..
View CommentVery nice article
View CommentRadhanath Swami Ki Jai !
View CommentThanks for sharing so nice article.
View CommentThank you for sharing this:).
View CommentVery good analysis of nature of mind. Mind is very flickering, constantly engaged in lamenting and hankering. One should control the mind and senses to progress. Thanks.
View CommentQuite practical article.
View Comment“more we have more we are worried” very true. All we posses in our life will be taken away at the time of death, so its best to be satisfied which fulfills out basic requirements.
View CommentAll the posts on this site teach us so many valuable lessons. Thanks for sharing such posts based on the life of Radhanath Swami.
View CommentGreat insight into life of Radhanath Swami by these small but significantly important incidents !
View CommentIgnorance leads to get attached to unwanted things. Better follow the spiritual guide and ctry to control the mind. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
View CommentHH Radhanath swami write “The nature of the mind is to interpret nonessentials essential”, If you want to experence this then just look into your cupboard…
View CommentThank you maharaj for enlighttening.
Radhanath Swami very nicely explains the reason for out material attachment, and with this understanding, leads us along the path to overcome them in this very lifetime. Radhanath Swami ji ki jai!!!
View CommentVery nice teachings. Radhanath swami can not only help the student develop his relationship with God, he also resolves contradictions and confusions that a student may experience during his spiritual quest.
View CommentEach & every incident in Radhanath Swami’s Journey book is so inspiring. And it shows how special soul he is, how God is teaching & directing him on every moment. We are so fortunate to see, speak or hear such a pure soul.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj Ki Jai
View CommentMaharaj ki jai
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