Sri Ramakrishna used to explain to his devotees the nature of true devotion. He would say there are various classes of devotees. Some who call upon God during fixed times, some who call upon God as often as possible and a few fortunate ones who call upon God always. In this connection, he used to [...]
Faith is a must for spiritual aspirants
Sri Ramakrishna would often tell his devotees about the power of faith. He would say that the person, who is endowed with faith, will accept no limitations in the powers of God. To illustrate this idea he used to narrate a story. Once there lived two yogis, who were practicing intense austerities to realize God. One day, Narada the [...]
A perceptor should live by example
Sri Ramakrishna would often talk about the place of the Guru or teacher in spiritual life and that only those who set high standards by their own personal life can become true preceptors. He used to narrate a story to illustrate this idea. A physician once prescribed a medicine to a patient and told him [...]
When free will stops, Divine grace begins
Spiritual aspirants often find it difficult to reconcile the contradictory doctrines of man’s free will and God’s grace. They are often confused as to what is the capacity of man to exert his free will and do sadhana and at what stage does divine grace intervene in the life of an aspirant. Some of the [...]
Dispassion comes like a flood
Sri Ramakrishna would often explain about the nature of dispassion and Vairagya. He would say that when a person is possessed by dispassion or Vairagya, he will be completely overwhelmed and will sever all connections with the evanescent world of senses. To illustrate the idea, he used to narrate a story. A wife once said [...]
Knowledge has to be experienced
Sri Ramakrishna would often tell his devotees about the extraordinary nature of Ultimate Knowledge. He would say that such knowledge is far beyond expression, explanation, etc. To illustrate the idea he used to narrate a story. Once, a king requested a yogi to impart him with knowledge in just one word. In reply, the yogi [...]
Purify your heart first to realise God
Sri Ramakrishna would emphasise again and again about the preparatory steps for spiritual awakening, in particular, purity of heart. He used to narrate a beautiful story in this connection. There lived in a village a young man by name Padmalochan, whom people used to call affectionately Podo. In that village there was a temple in [...]
Eternal vigil is the price of spirituality
Sri Ramakrishna would often explain to his devotees with great earnestness how one should be extremely careful and meticulous in spiritual life. He would say that even if one receives divine grace, it is difficult to retain it. In this connection, he would narrate an event which he had heard when he was young. There [...]
Vanity hinders spiritual progress
Sri Ramakrishna would warn his devotees about the danger of vanity. He would say how vanity is a grave impediment to spiritual progress. In his own inimitable style he would draw inferences from incidents of daily life. He would explain vanity this way: “Those who have read a few books cannot get rid of conceit. [...]
Ultimate Truth can’t be measured
By SWAMI SHANTATMANANDA 16th Feb 2013 The highest or the ultimate truth according to Vedanta is Advaita, or non-dual reality, which is also variously called as Brahman, Atman, Consciousness, etc. But Brahman or Ultimate Truth is so mighty, vast and immeasurable that even an incarnation of God, who is the highest conception of man about [...]
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