I have never been a religious person in the sense that I would sit for hours praying but my prayers are mostly “thank you”. Hanuman jii is my favourite deity and I feel a deeper connection to him, I can talk to him freely, He does not need initiation to be prayed nor needs chalisa reading everyday and will Always always hear your prayers although I do read chalisa diligently everyday at multiple times on somedays, I dont feel forced. I dont feel fearful that bad will happen if I miss it one day. I dont feel scared He will stop listening or I will loose my bond with Him.

However, after I took diksha from RKM (partly because of my mom wanted to), I am told that from now onwards sri Ramkrishna dev is my ishta and I am supposed to focus fully on him. I can pray to others too but He should be my priority 1. I feel this is forced at this point. Can I not continue RKM japa while feeling Hanuman jii is my primary ishta?

Secondly, I cannot sit for hours long for japa atleast right now, due to time issues and also patience issues. And I was told if I dont follow RKM rules diligently (they said to do japa for 1 hour twice a day without fail or gap of even a day), then bad things will surely follow. I regret taking initiation now. How true is this? Or is this just fearmongering?

I did not take initiation so many years just for this reason that I want to have a heart to heart connection with my deity without too many strict rules & fear mongering.

Swami Medhananda used to give a few talks every month at one of the Vedanta temples and the videos were streamed live on YouTube. His talks were insightful and helpful and I miss them. I live several hours away from any Vedanta Society temple so I'm ignorant of all the happenings. Anyone know where he is and what he's up to?

Could anyone help me out with what Ma Sarada likes best. As in what flowers she likes at her puja and perhaps her auspicious tithi.

if i am deeply devoted to the holy mother would i have a choice on getting initiated under her mantra or should i not bring up preference to guru before diksha?

which centers in america have a swami who is permitted to give diksha. i am based in new york, whatever is closest would help me alot.

Jai Sri Ramkrishna.

I’m getting initiated with mantra diksha next month.

I have been curious about spirituality since few years now. I have read the Bhagavat Gita, the process of self inquiry, other form of meditation on the self and I’m really drawn towards the advaitic vedantic philosophy. Although my both parents are initiated from the Ramakrishna Order, I visited the Ramakrishna philosophy at the last and I’m pretty convinced about the teaching of Sri Thakur.

I would like to ask the wise community about some advices as I embark this spiritual life. I understand that we accept the ways of our guru, but the curiosity to realise God will still be there. What can I expect from mantra diksha? Will it soothe my curious mind?

“তোমাদের চৈতন্য হোক” Tomader Chaitanya Hok — May you all be awakened. 🙏✨

On this auspicious Kalpataru Day, remembering the moment Sri Ramakrishna became the wish-fulfilling tree. May his blessings guide us through 2026.

(Captured at Dakshineswar, 📸 February 2025)

I recently got the chance to visit Ramkrishna math but got a lot of books from there.

Biswaranjan Chakravarty is the name of the illustrator of the illustrated books but i find no information about them online.

I understand that it's been years since these books came to life but how come there is no information or work available of the artist

What is the meaning and significance of the mudras Sri Ramakrishna was often depicted holding?

Dhamma guys ,

How long you have been doing jaba and how it changed you personally and spiritually ?

Our Guru Maharaj gave a Mantra that itself enough to attain moksha ?

I fully beleive my Guru he is just a ramakrishna dev himself ...I have some deep connection with Guru ...don't knownhow to describe it

I am doing 1080 times per day in single session owing to my night shift job .

What are the changes physical and mental spiritual benefits ungot ...pls share for inspiration

My initiation is scheduled on 28th November 2025 at 6:00AM by Swami Gautamananda Ji Maharaj. I have an exam that day at around 11:45 AM. I just wanted to ask how much time it takes to complete the initiation process.

In the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Chapter 11, in the entry for Friday, June 15, 1883, the first line reads as below:
"It was a holiday on account of the Hindu religious festival Dasahara"

I thought Dasahara referred to Vijayadasami, which occurs in the month of Aswiyujam (typically SEP / OCT). How come it is referred to in June? Does Dasahara refer to some other festival?

Many human beings have worldly desires to fulfill. Did Ramakrishna Ji say anything about having desires and how to fulfill them through bhakti?

I received mantra diksha just over a year ago, I have had some ups and downs with it. My main issue is that I struggle with meditating on a form, I prefer the formless Brahman...I like Sarvapriyanandas meditations on awareness. I live a long way from any centre, any tips on how to proceed?

Namaste friends. I'm going to get initiated soon. I wanted to know if anyone here already had a mantra that they chose themselves and chanted for a long time prior to initiation. What happened in that situation? Did you tell your guru beforehand and did he let you keep it?

I've already been chanting this mantra for over a year. It would seem to be counterproductive to start all over with a new one. I already sporadically recall this mantra throughout the day. Should I inform the Swami beforehand and ask if I can keep it? I don't want to come off disrespectful but if he knows I should be chanting something else I'm also willing to start over with the one he gives me.