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 very much Radhanath Swami Maharaj for explaining wonderfully with the analogy of “Sand” that how we are influenced by the three modes in nature.
View CommentIndeed we tend to see the things at the surface. we ain’t able to go deep and understand that essentially everthing is connected to Krsna and therefore its all good.
View CommentThanks Radhanath Maharaj for explainin this simple truth
View CommentIf we can really understand and apply Maharajah’s message stressed in this article, we can be can have good genuine relations with everyone and peace of soul at all times.
View CommentThis material world is described as forest fire that nobody knows its origin, sometimes two bamboos close enough are rubbed against due to winds and causes fire an thus burns themselves and the whole forest.
View CommentSimilarly every individual is pure spirit suol but due to influence of modes and circumstances they end to behave in a way causes harm to themselves and others
Pray to have this vision and attitude which Radhanath Swami depicts in this article.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for wonderful insights.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj always brings out the best in people, hence all those who meet him become better persons.
View CommentThankyou Radhanath Swami for making me learn and realise from insignificant matter Sand “So much wisdom is being whispered through every grain of sand if only I have ears to hear.”
View CommentAll GLories To.H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Though its a challenge to work against all diffferent modes of nature we can best operate if we associate with devotees and chant sincerely with the service to the devotees.
Hare Krishna
View CommentLike 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.”—-Maharaj has so beautifully explained this.Thank You Maharaj.
View Comment“It is important in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst”. This realisation of Radhanath Swami is the need of the hour in this world of constant quarrel and hipocracy even over trivial things. One has to cultivate the vision of God to see everything good in others as concluded by Radhanath Swami which is the only solution for World peace.
View CommentWonderful insight.
View CommentAn eye opener. It is so easy to blame people and have grudges against them when someone hurts us or causes pain. But its only by the vision of saintly people like Radhanath Swami that we can understand how it is circumstances that affect the behaviour of a person.
View CommentIts so important to associate with the right people. UNfortunately at work we find 90% people absorbed in sense gratification its like being in a dirty pond but as devotees we have to learn to live like a lotus which is not affected by the dirt. Radhanath Swamis guidance and experiences he shares can certainly help us in this regard.
View CommentVery profound realisation through a life threatening incident.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami for this nice lesson.Whatever may be the situation, if our attitude is right(positive) then it will bring out good out of us for the benefit of ourselves and others.
thank you for sharing your deep realisation
View Commentamazing! brilliant! wish we could inculcate even a fraction of the profound message Radhanath Swami is trying to give the whole world in our lives
View CommentAMAZING REALISATION BY RADHANATH SWAMI THAT PEOPLE ARE INHERENTLY GOOD, IT IS THE CIRUCMSTANCES THAT CREATE NEGATIVITY.WONDERFUL I TUCHED ME..
View CommentThanks to Radhanath swami for very nice analogies of the sand and the modes of nature.
View CommentThis is such an amazing experience and Maharaj is enlightening us with true knowledge. Thanks for sharing this experience.
View CommentSeek and you shall find
View CommentI wish someday the world’s most influential people can be an audience to this profound wisdom. The world would be a transformed place.
View CommentSuch profound knowledge only comes from a pure representative of Krishna. I pray to you Maharajji to empower me to serve you to the best of my ability till my last breath. Hari Bol!
View CommentThis is so true.
View CommentMaharaj explains most complex subjects with such simplicity.Thank you Maharaj
View CommentRadhanath Swami is so wonderfully explaining the power of association. It can make or break a person.
View CommentPersonal stories help so much to put full faith in this process – thanks Radhanath Swamiji
View CommentWonderful Realizations!!! It is important in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst
View CommentImportant in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather then the worst.Thank you Maharaj for guiding us.
View CommentPerfect timing! I really needed to read this today. planning to read it many times again. thank you!
View CommentAs Radhanath Swami mentions else where, we should have Honey bee mentality which only goes to that place where honey is available and not of the fly mentality which only hover around the filthy places. Similarly, one should only see good in every body and not to discuss the bad qualities. If we are in the association of devotees and conduct our life under the guidance of realised souls like Radhanath Swami then all good qualities manifest is us.
View CommentAmazing post. We are very judgemental,when a person behaves badly…However we need to think that he is originally very pure ..however he has been pushed to this extent because of certain unfavorable forces in his life. Thanks Maharaj for this wonderful post.
View CommentH.H.Radhanath Swami’s realizations have a precise solution to all problems in this world .Do we realize that the way we are dealt with by others is just a projection of our negativies on them. that we have not been able to bring out the best from them. It is us, not them , who is responsible. Just as a sand just takes up the qualities of the environment it is subjected to. Very hot sun makes it burning hot and cool weather makes it cold and soothing.Every living entity is fundamentally very good, because he/she is a part and parcel of The Supreme Lord.
What is best in his words is that it is not result of his own mental speculation, but a result of deeply realizing through pure practice the teachings of the Vedic era.Everyone always knew all solution lie there, but never knew where and what and how to bring it to practice. H.H.Radhanath Swami is the answer to all this.
View CommentIf only the world could understand & implement what Radhanath Swami Maharaj is saying, world would be a better place.
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s ability to extract wisdom from any and every situation is amazing! Thankyou for posting!
View CommentI am really greatful to HH Radhanath Swami for all his wisdom
View CommentThank you very much for sharing such a nice article.
View CommentIn this article,Radhanath Maharaj so lucidly explains the importance of associting with the right kind of people.
View Commentwonderful,thank you for article.
View CommentIts so important for us be on the guard at all times. If we are in the mode of goodness then things will be our way
View CommentLets fan the inherent good in others, even in the most vicious criminal; or at least whomever we meet. Instead of name-calling behind their backs, lets strive to make others better than us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami took the opportunity to learn from every incident in his life. And now he teaches that in every incident of life, we can see God’s hand and be grateful.
View CommentSomehow the other ‘The Journey Home’ book by Radhanath Swami is so enthralling; through his experiences there is so much to contemplate upon in our lives. When I discussed with other people about this experience, the common phrase I came across was this book should be read by all to miss it is like having the key to Gods kingdom and then carelessly chucking it away in a bottomless pit.
View CommentThe issue of appreciating others and the benefits have been very nicely enumerated by Radhanath Swami. I pray that we can apply these regularly in our lives
View CommentIn todays time of quarrel n hipocrasy, Radhanath Swami Maharaj has clearly illustrated how we all can live together in peace n harmony.
View Commentit is important in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst. Thanks Radhanath swami
View Comment“…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.”
View CommentThis is really profound statement. I need blessings of Radhanath Swami to imbibe this quality in me.
Our surroundings and the situation really influence our mood and consciousness – and isn’t it amazing that this can be learnt from sand? Of course, provided we have the ear to hear….
View CommentThank you very much Radhanath Maharaja.
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