Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 --- On Wed, 11/11/09, Swami Sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote: THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF A SMILE “There is a secret language of silence and smiles understood by mutual lovers, but not noticed by onlookers; in the same way the operation of grace is secret and not spectacular.†[1] There is so much that can be said about a smile; indeed the exaltation it brings is indispensable even for saints. Saint Francis de Sales once said: “A saint who is sad, is a sad saint!†Indeed, smiling opens the heart and lets your light shine. Scientists claim that it encourages good health; it reduces stress, increases the endorphin flow (the inner happy chemicals in the blood) and it is contagious. When people smile others are attracted, for unconsciously they think: “Gosh, that person is happy, maybe I can become happy too by association.†We learn from those who have unlocked the secret, and have found therein ‘stillness, peace, happiness and purifying energy’, and we know that this is God shining through them; because it is all derived from a “heart in union with the Divine.†In our modern era, during the sojourn of Sri Ramakrishna, one such soul was transfixed and transformed by a slight smile from the Face of a Living God. Girish Chandra Ghosh was considered to be one of the closest and dearest disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, and unmistakably he was the most flamboyant and rowdy. In addition to having become irrevocably attached to Sri Ramakrishna, he was addicted to alcohol and frequent visits to houses of ill repute. On one occasion he was fully inebriated and reeling on his way to visit one of his ‘ladies of the night’ when instead he changed his mind and turned around to make a visit to his Lord and Master. Upon arrival at Sri Ramakrishna’s room he attempted to bow at the Master’s feet, only to collapse in a heap of reeking ‘pickled’ flesh. Sri Ramakrishna began to try to persuade him to correct his behavior. The truth is well known that ‘the Lord works in mysterious ways’, and what happened next ascended such heights of ‘mystery’ that all present fell to their knees and wept. Girish, too drunk to stand, half-raised himself and tried to focus on the face of Sri Ramakrishna. His mind, his reasoning and his entire personality were numbed into oblivion. But upon beholding the living face of Sri Ramakrishna, his heart burst forth with an all-consuming silent prayer for mercy. As the Master’s sweet words rained upon him like nectar, Girish raised his hand up and said: “Stop! Don’t give me any advice, it will do no good. Please do something to transform my life!†In response to this soulful plea, the Master smiled! All in the room said they saw only a very slight smile play across the lips of the Master. But the power and sweetness of that slight smile was so indescribable that in a wondrous flash, Girish Chandra Ghosh was completely transformed and purified. Only at a later date could Girish attempt to speak of the wondrous event. And in doing so he proved that though now a completely changed being, he still retained a vivid sense of humor. All he could say was: “If I had known that there existed in the Master such a huge pit that I could cast all of my sins into it, I would have committed a lot more!†[2]______________________[1] Five Hymns, Marital Garland of Letters, Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram, #97 sub clause (2), page 91.[2] Paraphrased from the original Memories of Sri Ramakrishna, by Girish Chandra Ghosh, published in South Africa 2003, by permission of The Vedanta Society of Portland Oregon, USA-- Spiritual Teachings of the Masters from the East and West web site: http://www.spiritual-teaching.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 wonderfulllll..Thanks Allan Ji for sharing this. On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 11:23 AM, Alan Jacobs <alanadamsjacobs wrote: --- On Wed, 11/11/09, Swami Sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote: THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF A SMILE “There is a secret language of silence and smiles understood by mutual lovers, but not noticed by onlookers; in the same way the operation of grace is secret and not spectacular.” [1] There is so much that can be said about a smile; indeed the exaltation it brings is indispensable even for saints. Saint Francis de Sales once said: “A saint who is sad, is a sad saint!” Indeed, smiling opens the heart and lets your light shine. Scientists claim that it encourages good health; it reduces stress, increases the endorphin flow (the inner happy chemicals in the blood) and it is contagious. When people smile others are attracted, for unconsciously they think: “Gosh, that person is happy, maybe I can become happy too by association.” We learn from those who have unlocked the secret, and have found therein ‘stillness, peace, happiness and purifying energy’, and we know that this is God shining through them; because it is all derived from a “heart in union with the Divine.” In our modern era, during the sojourn of Sri Ramakrishna, one such soul was transfixed and transformed by a slight smile from the Face of a Living God. Girish Chandra Ghosh was considered to be one of the closest and dearest disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, and unmistakably he was the most flamboyant and rowdy. In addition to having become irrevocably attached to Sri Ramakrishna, he was addicted to alcohol and frequent visits to houses of ill repute. On one occasion he was fully inebriated and reeling on his way to visit one of his ‘ladies of the night’ when instead he changed his mind and turned around to make a visit to his Lord and Master. Upon arrival at Sri Ramakrishna’s room he attempted to bow at the Master’s feet, only to collapse in a heap of reeking ‘pickled’ flesh. Sri Ramakrishna began to try to persuade him to correct his behavior. The truth is well known that ‘the Lord works in mysterious ways’, and what happened next ascended such heights of ‘mystery’ that all present fell to their knees and wept. Girish, too drunk to stand, half-raised himself and tried to focus on the face of Sri Ramakrishna. His mind, his reasoning and his entire personality were numbed into oblivion. But upon beholding the living face of Sri Ramakrishna, his heart burst forth with an all-consuming silent prayer for mercy. As the Master’s sweet words rained upon him like nectar, Girish raised his hand up and said: “Stop! Don’t give me any advice, it will do no good. Please do something to transform my life!” In response to this soulful plea, the Master smiled! All in the room said they saw only a very slight smile play across the lips of the Master. But the power and sweetness of that slight smile was so indescribable that in a wondrous flash, Girish Chandra Ghosh was completely transformed and purified. Only at a later date could Girish attempt to speak of the wondrous event. And in doing so he proved that though now a completely changed being, he still retained a vivid sense of humor. All he could say was: “If I had known that there existed in the Master such a huge pit that I could cast all of my sins into it, I would have committed a lot more!” [2] ______________________[1] Five Hymns, Marital Garland of Letters, Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram, #97 sub clause (2), page 91. [2] Paraphrased from the original Memories of Sri Ramakrishna, by Girish Chandra Ghosh, published in South Africa 2003, by permission of The Vedanta Society of Portland Oregon, USA -- Spiritual Teachings of the Masters from the East and West web site: http://www.spiritual-teaching.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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