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........
Radhanath Swami is so amazing even from difficult situations he learns something. If I was in his place i would have said why is Krishna doing this to me?
View Commentbeautiful thoughts by Radhanath Swami.
View CommentIt is so deep contemplation… I can’t even think so much in my daily routines… Thanks to Maharaj for guiding all the while…
View CommentThank you Gurudev for your wonderful thoughts
View CommentRadhanath Swami has really a vision to see a valuable lesson of life in every moment of life.So Nice!
View CommentYes swami ji we need ears to hear. I am learning many things from your book
View CommentThe Journey home is the best gift on this earth.
View Commentvery inspirational…
View CommentThank you Maharaj for showing us how to hate the sin and not the sinner.
View CommentRadhnath Swami is teaching the way of looking at negativity of life in right perspective. Nice realization….
View CommentIf we regularly associate with God’s pure devotees like Radhanath Swami, then we can easily overcome our bad habits & other negativities that we are afflicted with and transform into a good human with high moral, ethical & spiritual values. This will serve us well in our spiritual progress.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj gives such in depth analysis.
View CommentEach word of realisation of Radhanath Swami mentioned above is worth meditating on and applying in our life. As Radhanath Swami realises, as long as we are in this world we have to strucggle with the dualities combined with the three modes of material nature of this world. To raise above these dualities, we need constant guidance, association and mercy of self realised personalities like Radhanath Swami.
View CommentIt is very important and beneficial for us also to be like honeybee trying to extract good even from something which looks like bad. This is possible only when we are pure in our habits which comes by regular association of saintly people.
View CommentVery important lessons by Radhanath Swamim following which, can reduce so many fights and unhappiness around us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches us how by being aware of our surroundings we can learn some of life’s most valulable lessons even from apparently simple things.
View CommentThe incident shows power of association
View Commentunique experience
View CommentIt is easy to spot other;s mistakes rather than their good qualities. Thank you Radhanath Swami for offering so many ways in which to genuinely appreciate others. Radhanath Swami ki Jai!
View CommentAppreciating the good qualities of others purifies us of negative contamination. Thanks
View CommentWe should not let our circumstances affect us negatively. This is possible only if we are committed sincerely to selfless service.
View CommentFor Radhanath Swami whether trapped in quicksand, scorched by hot sand – there is always something to be learnt for life.
View CommentRadhanath Swami feels that it is important in human interactions to bring out the inherent good of each other rather than the worst.
View CommentThank you Maharaj
View CommentWhenever I read such articles by Radhanath Swami, my heart fills with gratitude to him, for having given such profound wisdom. Tihis is so true, it is upto us to see the good in others and bring that out and fan it.
View CommentI m really impressed by the attitude of Radhanath Swami to learn from every situation
View CommentIf we can appreciate others for their good qualities, they will be encouraged and will work on tapping that goodness more.
View CommentKYA BAAT HAI… Thank u maharaj
Thank you.This teaching of radhanath maharaj can be used in all moments of life. Life gives opportunity almost every day to practice goodness.
View CommentThe point made by Radhanath Swami Maharaj on bringing good in others in association, will ensure strong trust and appreciation in any relations
View CommentAmazing!
View CommentEnvironment is stressed here by Radhanath Swami. This is very much influencing the person. Association of good persons make one good. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View Commenthate the sin not the sinner. …………..wonderful
View CommentThis is a profound lesson for me!
View CommentRadhanath Swami explains two reasons to appreciate good in others:
1)They will be encouraged and will work on tapping that goodness more.
2)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.
Superb!
Thank you Radhanath Swami for revealing us the vision of Lord towards all His children.
View CommentI am yet to come to grips of the consequences of this article, but i wholeheartedly agree to what the Swami is proposing here.
View CommentNice site fella.
amazing. really Maharaj’s realizations can change one’s life
View CommentRadhanath Swami has made a very relevant point on how the modes of passion and ignorance can drag a person down if we are not careful with good sadhana and in a prayerful attitude.
View CommentIt is very true as pointed out by Maharajah if we genuinely appreciate people for their good qualities, they work more on it, but most of the times we ignore many good qualities and focus on bad aspect of the personality.
View CommentVery nice and gives me lot of inspiration to thread this path of devotion with firm faith and determination under the association of saintly people and try to bring out best among each other
View CommentThis amazing web page presents a lot of useful information. You can find here whole you should to know.
View CommentGreat Article – Very insightful on how one can appreciate others for their good qualities and overcome the negative contamination. Thanks a lot Maharaj.
View Commentthis is one of my favorites, its so deep and thought provoking article, certainly the best, rajesh karia
View Commentwonderful article and very well explained, haribol, bhakti
View CommentGenuine appreciation of others also purifies us of negative contamination.
View CommentIts deep touching!
View CommentLike Maharaj has rightly pointed out we must rid ourselves of negativity as that would help bring out the positivity in others.Our surrounding are influenced by the way we act and react.Very profound realization and a food for thought.Thanks Maharaj.
View CommentA great book by Maharaj with invaluable personal experiences.
View CommentThanks Maharaj for sharing this experience in such a honest way!
View CommentRadhanath Swami inspires us greatly.
View CommentA crucial lesson for maintaining any relationship within this world.
View Comment