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Relief from material attachments
March 13, 2013  |  radhanath-swami

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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116 Comments


  1. Radhanath Swami offers interesting perspective :Take up spiritual burdens by filling our lives with responsibilities for a spiritual cause.

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  2. Radhanath Swami always connected whatever happened with him during his journey to a very meaningful purport learnt such a insightful lesson from it, even several odd situation like this one, unlike an ordinary man who would otherwise blame, moan and weep(BMW)!

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  3. Only pure person like Radhanath swami can remain cool even after losing his assets in the from of books and also take out spiritual lessons from it. Simply wonderful.

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  4. We are all in need of this relief.

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  5. Radhanath Swami gives a practical way to get rid of unnecessary burdens – take the anxiety of uplifting others. This will surely come full cirlce.

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  6. Simple living and high thinking is best for spiritual progress. Maharaj’s experience is wonderful.

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  7. Swapnil Gaonkar

    Thank you for sharing the realisations of Radhanath Swami

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  8. Swapnil Gaonkar

    Thank you for sharing the realisations of Radhanath Swami

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  9. Nicely explained by Radhanath swmai maharaj. 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.

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  10. Thank you Radhanath Swam maharaj for opening the eyes for need of inner wealth

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  11. The more things we have, the more complicated our lives become. Thank you Maharaj for sharing these realisations!

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  12. Thank you swamiji for the beautiful blog

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  13. A message that one must hear regularly.

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  14. 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.

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  15. Tallam Sita Ramaiah

    “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 we’re free of it. But if we find joy within, we can live a simple life, free of endless complications.” A nice explanation of nature of mind. Thank you Maharaj.

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  16. Balaram Acharya Das

    Amazing & very instructive article. Jai Gurudev!!

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