Saying of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda

SAYING OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA, SRI SARADA DEVI, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

HE WHO COMES TO KNOW THAT HE IS ONLY AN INSTRUMENT IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD, HAS NO EGOISTIC FEELING. HE IS AWARE THAT HE IS ONLY A TOOL WITH WHICH GOD HAS HIS WORK DONE. SUCH A MAN CAUSES HARM TO NOBODY. THE POISON OF EGOISM IS NO MORE IN HIM. A STEEL KNIFE BECOME A GOLD KNIFE WITH THE TOUCH OF THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE. THOUGH THE FORM THE KNIFE IS THERE., IT IS NOT USEFUL ANY MORE FOR CUTTING. SIMILARLY, THE JNANI RETAINS A SEEMING INDIVIDUALITY, BUT NO IGNORANCE BORN ACTIVITY OCCURS IN AND THROUGH HIM.

THE COURTESAN OF A PRINCE HEED NOT THE COURTING OF A BEGGAR ON THE ROAD. THE ONE ENJOYING THE SUPREME BLISS OF COMMUNION WITH THE MAKER CARES NOT ALL EARTHLY JOYS AND ENTICEMENTS. WHAT IS BRAHMAN LIKE? IT CANNOT BE DEFINED WITH WORDS. ONE MAY BE CALLED UPON TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE OCEAN IS LIKE, TO A PERSON WHO HAS NEVER SEEN IT. THE EXPOUNDER CAN AT BEST SAY, ‘IT IS A VAST SHEET OF WATER.’ DEFINING BRAHMAN IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

THERE ARE SIGNS OF THE AWAKENED ONES - THOSE THAT HAVE GOT INTO ATMA BODHA. THOSE BLESSED ONES ARE LIKE THE MYTHOLOGICAL CHAKRAVAKA BIRD WHICH, EVEN WHEN PARCHED WITH THIRST TO THE POINT OF DEATH, DOES NOT ALIGHT ON EARTH FULL OF WATER, BUT SEEKS TO SLAKE IT WITH THE RAIN WATER ONLY IF AND WHEN AVAILABLE UP IN THE SKY. THE GOD-INTOXICATED ONE REVEL ONLY IN HIM AND IN NOTHING ELSE. THE OCEAN OF INFINITE- EXISTENCE- KNOWLEDGE- BLISS IS EVER ITSELF, UNAFFECTED BY THE PHENOMENAL.

A MAN MUST WORK. ONLY THEN CAN HE SEE GOD. ONE DAY, IN AN EXALTED MOOD, I HAD A VISION OF THE HALDĀRPUKUR. I SAW A LOW-CASTE VILLAGER DRAWING WATER AFTER PUSHING ASIDE THE GREEN SCUM. NOW AND THEN HE TOOK UP THE WATER IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND AND EXAMINED IT. IN THAT VISION, IT WAS REVEALED TO ME THAT THE WATER CANNOT BE SEEN WITHOUT PUSHING ASIDE THE GREEN SCUM THAT COVERS IT; THAT IS TO SAY, ONE CANNOT DEVELOP LOVE OF GOD OR OBTAIN HIS VISION WITHOUT WORK. WORK MEANS MEDITATION, JAPA, AND THE LIKE. THE CHANTING OF GOD’S NAME AND GLORIES IS WORK TOO. YOU MAY ALSO INCLUDE CHARITY, SACRIFICE, AND SO ON.

YOU SEE HOW MANY OPINIONS THERE ARE ABOUT GOD. EACH OPINION IS A PATH. THERE ARE INNUMERABLE OPINIONS AND INNUMERABLE PATHS LEADING TO GOD. YOU MUST STICK TO ONE PATH WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. A MAN CAN REACH THE ROOF OF A HOUSE BY STONE STAIRS OR A LADDER OR A ROPE-LADDER OR A ROPE OR EVEN

BY A BAMBOO POLE. BUT HE CANNOT REACH THE ROOF IF HE SETS FOOT NOW ON ONE AND NOW ON ANOTHER. HE SHOULD FIRMLY FOLLOW ONE PATH. LIKEWISE, IN ORDER TO REALIZE GOD A MAN MUST FOLLOW ONE PATH WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH.

IF YOU HEAT BUTTER IN A PAN ON THE STOVE, IT MAKES A SIZZLING SOUND AS LONG AS THE WATER IT CONTAINS HAS NOT DRIED UP. BUT WHEN NO TRACE OF WATER IS LEFT THE CLARIFIED BUTTER MAKES NO SOUND. IF YOU PUT AN UNCOOKED CAKE OF FLOUR IN THAT BUTTER IT SIZZLES AGAIN. BUT AFTER THE CAKE IS COOKED ALL SOUND STOPS. JUST SO, A MAN ESTABLISHED IN SAMADHI COMES DOWN TO THE RELATIVE PLANE OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN ORDER TO TEACH OTHERS, AND THEN HE TALKS ABOUT GOD.

GOD LAUGHS ON TWO OCCASIONS. HE LAUGHS WHEN THE PHYSICIAN SAYS TO THE PATIENT'S MOTHER, 'DON'T BE AFRAID, MOTHER; I SHALL CERTAINLY CURE YOUR BOY.' GOD LAUGHS, SAYING TO HIMSELF, 'I AM GOING TO TAKE HIS LIFE, AND THIS MAN SAYS HE WILL SAVE IT!' THE PHYSICIAN THINKS HE IS THE MASTER, FORGETTING THAT GOD IS THE MASTER. GOD LAUGHS AGAIN WHEN TWO BROTHERS DIVIDE THEIR LAND WITH A STRING, SAYING TO EACH OTHER, 'THIS SIDE IS MINE AND THAT SIDE IS YOUR'.

HE LAUGHS AND SAYS TO HIMSELF, 'THE WHOLE UNIVERSE BELONGS TO ME, BUT THEY SAY THEY OWN THIS PORTION OR THAT PORTION.’

GO FORWARD. A WOOD-CUTTER ONCE ENTERED A FOREST TO GATHER WOOD. A BRAHMACHARI SAID TO HIM, 'GO FORWARD.' HE OBEYED THE INJUNCTION AND DISCOVERED SOME SANDAL-WOOD TREES. AFTER A FEW DAYS, HE REFLECTED, 'THE HOLY MAN ASKED ME TO GO FORWARD. HE DIDN'T TELL ME TO STOP HERE.' SO, HE WENT FORWARD AND FOUND A SILVER-MINE. AFTER A FEW DAYS, HE WENT STILL FARTHER AND DISCOVERED A GOLD-MINE, AND NEXT, MINES OF DIAMONDS AND PRECIOUS STONES. WITH THESE HE BECAME IMMENSELY RICH. THROUGH SELFLESS WORK, LOVE OF GOD GROWS IN THE HEART. THEN, THROUGH HIS GRACE ONE REALIZES HIM IN COURSE OF TIME.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU MUST DISCRIMINATE, FOLLOWING THE METHOD OF “NETI, NETI”: “HE IS NOT THE FIVE ELEMENTS, NOR THE SENSE-ORGANS, NOR THE MIND, NOR THE INTELLIGENCE, NOR THE EGO. HE IS BEYOND ALL THESE COSMIC PRINCIPLES.” YOU WANT TO CLIMB TO THE ROOF; THEN YOU MUST ELIMINATE AND LEAVE BEHIND ALL THE STEPS ONE BY ONE. THE STEPS ARE BY NO MEANS THE ROOF. BUT AFTER REACHING THE ROOF YOU FIND THAT THE STEPS ARE MADE OF THE SAME MATERIALS-BRICK, LIME, AND BRICK-DUST-AS THE ROOF. IT IS THE SUPREME BRAHMAN THAT HAS BECOME THE UNIVERSE AND ITS LIVING BEINGS AND THE TWENTY-FOUR COSMIC PRINCIPLES. THAT WHICH IS ATMAN HAS BECOME THE FIVE ELEMENTS.

I PRAYED TO THE DIVINE MOTHER ONLY FOR LOVE. I OFFERED FLOWERS AT HER LOTUS FEET AND SAID WITH FOLDED HANDS: “O MOTHER, HERE IS THY IGNORANCE AND HERE IS THY KNOWLEDGE; TAKE THEM BOTH AND GIVE ME ONLY PURE LOVE FOR THEE. HERE IS THY HOLINESS AND HERE IS THY UNHOLINESS; TAKE THEM BOTH AND GIVE ME ONLY PURE LOVE FOR THEE. HERE IS THY VIRTUE AND HERE IS THY SIN; HERE IS THY GOOD AND HERE IS THY EVIL; TAKE THEM ALL AND GIVE ME ONLY PURE LOVE FOR THEE. HERE IS THY DHARMA AND HERE IS THY ADHARMA; TAKE THEM BOTH AND GIVE ME ONLY PURE LOVE FOR THEE.”

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE VIEWS OF TEACHERS LIKE HIM? ACCORDING TO THEM, ONE MUST FIRST PRACTISE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: SELF-RESTRAINT, SELF-CONTROL, FORBEARANCE, AND THE LIKE. THEIR AIM IS TO ATTAIN NIRVĀNA. THEY ARE FOLLOWERS OF VEDĀNTA. THEY CONSTANTLY DISCRIMINATE, SAYING, “BRAHMAN ALONE IS REAL, AND THE WORLD ILLUSORY.” BUT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PATH. IF THE WORLD IS ILLUSORY, THEN YOU TOO ARE ILLUSORY. THE TEACHER WHO GIVES THE INSTRUCTION IS EQUALLY ILLUSORY. HIS WORDS, TOO, ARE AS ILLUSORY AS A DREAM.

GANESA WERE SEATED NEAR BHAGAVATI, WHO HAD A NECKLACE OF GEMS AROUND HER NECK. THE DIVINE MOTHER SAID TO THEM, “I WILL PRESENT THIS NECKLACE TO HIM WHO IS THE FIRST TO GO AROUND THE UNIVERSE.” THEREUPON KARTIKA, WITHOUT LOSING A MOMENT, SET OUT ON THE PEACOCK, HIS CARRIER. GANESA, ON THE OTHER HAND, IN A LEISURELY FASHION WENT AROUND THE DIVINE MOTHER AND PROSTRATED HIMSELF BEFORE HER. HE KNEW THAT SHE CONTAINED WITHIN HERSELF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. THE DIVINE MOTHER WAS PLEASED WITH HIM AND PUT THE NECKLACE AROUND HIS NECK. AFTER A LONG WHILE KARTIKA RETURNED AND FOUND HIS BROTHER SEATED THERE WITH THE NECKLACE ON.

YOU ASK WHY? BRAHMAN DOESN’T ACT IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHERS. IT IS BRAHMAN’S PLEASURE. BRAHMAN IS SELF-WILLED. WHY SHOULD WE TRY TO KNOW THE REASON FOR BRAHMAN’S ACTING THIS WAY OR THAT? YOU HAVE COME TO THE ORCHARD TO EAT MANGOES. EAT THE MANGOES. WHAT IS THE GOOD OF CALCULATING HOW MANY TREES THERE ARE IN THE ORCHARD, HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF BRANCHES, AND HOW MANY MILLIONS OF LEAVES? ONE CANNOT REALIZE TRUTH BY FUTILE ARGUMENTS AND REASONING.

THE NEARER YOU COME TO GOD, THE MORE TRANQUILLITY YOU FEEL. PEACE, PEACE. THE NEARER YOU APPROACH THE HOLY GANGES, THE COOLER YOU FEEL. A DIP IN IT IS EVEN MORE SOOTHING. ON ATTAINING THE KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN, ATTACHMENT TO THE WORLD AND ENTHUSIASM FOR ‘LUST AND GREED’ VANISHES. YOU ATTAIN PERFECT PEACE. A PIECE OF BURNING WOOD PRODUCES A CRACKLING SOUND AND GIVES OUT HEAT. WHEN IT IS CONSUMED, AND HAS TURNED TO ASH, ALL SOUND CEASES. AS SOON AS YOU GET RID OF ATTACHMENT, THE RESTLESSNESS FOR ‘LUST AND GREED’ VANISHES.

I AM THE MOTHER OF THE WICKED, AS I AM MOTHER OF THE VIRTUOUS, WHENEVER YOU ARE IN DISTRESS, JUST SAY TO YOURSELF, ‘I HAVE A MOTHER.’ IF YOU WANT PEACE OF MIND, THEN GIVE UP FAULT FINDING. IF YOU WOULD SEARCH FOR FAULT AT ALL, FIND OUT YOUR OWN FAULTS AND SHORT COMINGS. WHO IS ABLE TO RENOUNCE ALL FOR HIS SAKE? EVEN THE INJUNCTIONS OF DESTINY ARE CANCELLED IF ONE TAKES REFUGE IN GOD. DESTINY STRIKES OFF WITH HER OWN HAND WHAT SHE HAS WRITTEN ABOUT SUCH A PERSON.

THOSE THAT COME HERE THINKING OF THE MASTER WILL CERTAINLY SEE THEIR CHOSEN IDEAL. IF THIS DOES NOT TAKE PLACE AT ANY OTHER TIME. IT WILL AT LEAST COME JUST BEFORE THEIR DEATH. MY CHILD, YOU HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FORTUNATE IN GETTING THIS HUMAN BIRTH. HAVE INTENSE DEVOTION TO GOD. ONE MUST WORK HARD. CAN ONE ACHIEVE ANYTHING WITHOUT EFFORT? YOU MUST DEVOTE SOMETIME FOR PRAYER EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THE BUSIEST HOURS OF THE DAY. DO THE MASTER’S WORK, AND ALONG WITH THAT PRACTICE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES TOO. WORK HELPS ONE TO KEEP OFF IDLE THOUGHTS. IF ONE IS WITHOUT WORK, SUCH THOUGHTS RUSH INTO ONE’S MIND.

THE ROOM MAY CONTAIN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOODSTUFF, BUT ONE MUST COOK THEM. HE WHO COOKS EARLIER GETS HIS MEAL EARLIER TOO. SOME EAT IN THE MORNING, SOME OTHERS IN THE EVENING. AND THERE ARE YET OTHERS WHO FAST BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO LAZY TO COOK. THE MORE INTENSELY A PERSON PRACTICES SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, THE MORE QUICKLY HE ATTAINS GOD. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT PRECISE ANY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, HE WILL ATTAIN HIM IN END, SURELY, HE WILL. ONLY, HE WHO SPENDS HIS TIME IDLY, WITHOUT PRACTICING PRAYER AND MEDITATION, WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO ATTAIN HIM.

EVERYTHING, HUSBAND, WIFE, OR EVEN THE BODY, IS ONLY ILLUSORY. THESE ARE ALL SHACKLES OF ILLUSION. UNLESS YOU CAN FREE YOURSELF FROM THESE BONDAGES, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GO TO THE OTHER SHORE OF THE WORLD. EVEN THIS ATTACHMENT TO THE BODY, THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SELF WITH THE BODY, MUST GO. WHAT IS THIS BODY; IT IS NOTHING BUT THREE POUNDS OF ASHES WHEN IT IS CREMATED. WHY SO MUCH VANITY ABOUT IT? HOWEVER STRONG OR BEAUTIFUL THIS BODY MAYBE, IT CULMINATION IS IN THOSE THREE POUNDS OF ASHES. AND STILL PEOPLE ARE SO ATTACHED TO IT.

THE POWER OF THE TEACHER ENTERS INTO THE DISCIPLE, AND THE POWER OF THE DISCIPLE ENTERS INTO THE TEACHER THAT IS WHY; WHEN INITIATE AND ACCEPT THE SINS OF THE DISCIPLES, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO BE A TEACHER. ON THE OTHER HAND, BY LEADING A VIRTUOUS LIFE THE DISCIPLE DOES WELL TO THE TEACHER. IF YOU LOVE ANY HUMAN BRING YOU WILL HAVE TO SUFFER FOR IT. HE IS BLESSED, INDEED, WHO CAN LOVE GOD ALONE. THERE IS NO SUFFERING IN LOVING GOD. ALWAYS DO YOUR DUTIES TO OTHERS, BUT LOVE YOU MUST GIVE TO GOD ALONE. WORLDLY LOVE BRINGS IN ITS WAKE UNTOLD MISERY.

IF YOU LOVE A HUMAN BEING, YOU WILL HAVE TO SUFFER FOR IT. HE IS BLESSED, INDEED, WHO CAN LOVE GOD ALONE. THERE IS NOT SUFFERING IN LOVING GOD. BE DEVOTED TO GOD AND TAKE SHELTER AT HIS FEET. LIKE A MAGNET, GOD IS CONSTANTLY ATTRACTING HIS CREATURES TO HIM. WE DO NOT FEEL THE FORCE OF HIS ATTRACTION BECAUSE OUR MINDS ARE FILLED WITH IMPURITIES. IT IS EXPERIENCED IN THE DEPTH OF CONTEMPLATION WHEN THE MIND’S IMPURITIES ARE REMOVED, FOR PURIFYING OF THE MIND.

HE WHO HAS PRAYED TO THE MASTER EVEN ONCE HAS NOTHING TO FEAR. BY PRAYING TO HIM CONSTANTLY ONE OBTAINS ECSTATIC LOVE, THROUGH HIS GRACE. THIS LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. MEDITATE ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND REPEAT HIS NAME; THROUGH HIS GRACE EVERY DESIRE OF THE SEEKER WOULD BE FULFILLED. THOSE WHO PRAY TO HIM, WILL NEVER SUFFER FROM WANT OF FOOD OR OTHER PHYSICAL PRIVATIONS, AND WILL ALSO EASILY GAIN LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN.

THE MIND IS EVERYTHING. IT IS THE MIND ALONE THAT ONE FEELS PURE AND IMPURE. A MAN FIRST MAKES HIS OWN MIND GUILTY AND THEN SEES ANOTHER’S FAULT. CAN YOU INJURE ANYBODY BY ENUMERATING HIS FAULTS? YOU ONLY INJURE YOURSELF. I CANNOT SEE ANYBODY’S SHORTCOMINGS. IF A MAN DOES A TRIFLE FOR ME, I TRY TO REMEMBER EVEN THAT. TO SEE FAULTS IN OTHERS! FORGIVENESS IS A GREAT RELIGIOUS AUSTERITY. THERE IS NO VIRTUE HIGHER THAN FORBEARANCE.”

WHAT DOES A MAN BECOME BY REALIZING GOD? DOES HE GROW TWO HORNS, NO, WHAT HAPPEN IS THAT HE DEVELOPS DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE REAL AND UNREAL, OBTAINS SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS, AND GOES BEYOND LIFE AND DEATH. GOD IS REALIZED IN SPIRIT. HOW ELSE CAN ONE SEE GOD? HAS GOD TALKED TO ANYONE WHO IS DEVOID OF SPIRITUAL FERVOR? ONE ENVISIONS GOD IN SPIRIT, TALKS TO HIM AND ESTABLISHES A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IN SPIRIT.

IN THE COURSE OF TIME ONE DOES NOT FEEL EVEN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. AFTER ATTAINING ENLIGHTENMENT ONE SEES THAT GODS AND DEITIES ARE ALL MAYA. EVERYTHING COMES INTO EXISTENCE IN TIME AND DISAPPEARS IN TIME. DEITIES AND SUCH THINGS REALLY DISAPPEAR AT THE DAWN OF ENLIGHTENMENT. THE ASPIRANT THEN REALIZES THAT THE MOTHER ALONE PERVADES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. ALL THEN BECOME ONE. THIS IS THE SIMPLE TRUTH.

"I AM THE THREAD THAT RUNS THROUGH ALL THESE PEARLS," AND EACH PEARL IS A RELIGION OR EVEN A SECT THEREOF. SUCH ARE THE DIFFERENT PEARLS, AND GOD IS THE THREAD THAT RUNS THROUGH ALL OF THEM; MOST PEOPLE, HOWEVER, ARE ENTIRELY UNCONSCIOUS OF IT. "I DO NOT WANT TO GET MATERIAL LIFE, DO NOT WANT THE SENSE-LIFE, BUT SOMETHING HIGHER." THAT IS RENUNCIATION. THEN, BY THE POWER OF MEDITATION, UNDO THE MISCHIEF THAT HAS BEEN DONE. "SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND EVERYTHING SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU." THIS IS THE ONE GREAT DUTY, THIS IS RENUNCIATION. LIVE FOR AN IDEAL, AND LEAVE NO PLACE IN THE MIND FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

LET US PUT FORTH ALL OUR ENERGIES TO ACQUIRE THAT WHICH NEVER FAILS-OUR SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. IF WE HAVE TRUE YEARNING FOR REALIZATION, WE MUST STRUGGLE, AND THROUGH STRUGGLE GROWTH WILL COME. WE SHALL MAKE MISTAKES, BUT THEY MAY BE ANGELS UNAWARES. “COMFORT” IS NO TEST OF TRUTH; ON THE CONTRARY, TRUTH IS OFTEN FAR FROM BEING “COMFORTABLE.” “FACE THE BRUTES.” THAT IS A LESSON FOR ALL LIFE-FACE THE TERRIBLE, FACE IT BOLDLY. LIKE THE MONKEYS, THE HARDSHIPS OF LIFE FALL BACK WHEN WE CEASE TO FLEE BEFORE THEM. “I DO NOT WANT TO GET MATERIAL LIFE. I DO NOT WANT SENSE-LIFE BUT SOMETHING HIGHER.” THAT IS RENUNCIATION.

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” THIS IS THE ONE GREAT DUTY, THIS IS RENUNCIATION. LIVE FOR AN IDEAL, AND LEAVE NO PLACE IN THE MIND FOR ANYTHING ELSE. “THE EARTH IS ENJOYED BY HEROES”-THIS IS THE UNFAILING TRUTH. BE A HERO. ALWAYS SAY, “I HAVE NO FEAR.” A FEW HEART-WHOLE, SINCERE, AND ENERGETIC MEN AND WOMEN CAN DO MORE IN A YEAR THAN A MOB IN A CENTURY. A TREMENDOUS STREAM IS FLOWING TOWARD THE OCEAN, CARRYING US ALL ALONG WITH IT; AND THOUGH LIKE STRAWS AND SCRAPS OF PAPER WE MAY AT TIMES FLOAT AIMLESSLY ABOUT, IN THE LONG RUN WE ARE SURE TO JOIN THE OCEAN OF LIFE AND BLISS. ABOVE ALL, BEWARE OF COMPROMISES.

HOLD ON TO YOUR OWN PRINCIPLES IN WEAL OR WOE AND NEVER ADJUST THEM TO OTHERS’ “FADS” THROUGH THE GREED OF GETTING SUPPORTERS. YOUR ATMAN IS THE SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSE-WHOSE SUPPORT DO YOU STAND IN NEED OF? AFTER EVERY HAPPINESS COMES MISERY; THEY MAY BE FAR APART OR NEAR. THE MORE ADVANCED THE SOUL, THE MORE QUICKLY DOES ONE FOLLOW THE OTHER. WHAT WE WANT IS NEITHER HAPPINESS NOR MISERY. BOTH MAKE US FORGET OUR TRUE NATURE; BOTH ARE CHAINS-ONE IRON, ONE GOLD; BEHIND BOTH IS THE ATMAN, WHO KNOWS NEITHER HAPPINESS NOR MISERY. THESE ARE STATES, AND STATES MUST EVER CHANGE; BUT THE NATURE OF THE ATMAN IS BLISS, PEACE, UNCHANGING.

WE HAVE NOT TO GET IT, WE HAVE IT; ONLY WASH AWAY THE DROSS AND SEE IT. ALL IS THE SELF OR BRAHMAN. THE SAINT, THE SINNER, THE LAMB, THE TIGER, AS FAR AS THEY HAVE ANY REALITY, CAN BE NOTHING ELSE, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. ALL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE WORLD HAS EVER RECEIVED COMES FROM THE MIND; THE INFINITE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSE IS IN OUR OWN MIND. ALL POWER IS WITHIN YOU. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. BELIEVE IN THAT. DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE WEAK; STAND UP AND EXPRESS THE DIVINITY WITHIN YOU. ALL THAT IS REAL IN ME IS GOD; ALL THAT IS REAL IN GOD IS I. THE GULF BETWEEN GOD AND HUMAN BEINGS IS THUS BRIDGED.

THUS, WE FIND HOW, BY KNOWING GOD, WE FIND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WITHIN US. ALL TRUTH IS ETERNAL. TRUTH IS NOBODY’S PROPERTY; NO RACE, NO INDIVIDUAL CAN LAY ANY EXCLUSIVE CLAIM TO IT. TRUTH IS THE NATURE OF ALL SOULS. ALL WHO HAVE ACTUALLY ATTAINED ANY REAL RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE NEVER WRANGLE OVER THE FORM IN WHICH THE DIFFERENT RELIGIONS ARE EXPRESSED. THEY KNOW THAT THE SOUL OF ALL RELIGIONS IS THE SAME AND SO THEY HAVE NO QUARREL WITH ANYBODY JUST BECAUSE HE OR SHE DOES NOT SPEAK IN THE SAME TONGUE. ALWAYS DISCRIMINATEYOUR BODY, YOUR HOUSE, THE PEOPLE AND THE WORLD ARE ALL ABSOLUTELY UNREAL LIKE A DREAM. ALWAYS THINK THAT THE BODY IS ONLY AN INERT INSTRUMENT.

THE ATMAN WITHIN IS YOUR REAL NATURE ANYTHING THAT BRINGS SPIRITUAL, MENTAL, OR PHYSICAL WEAKNESS, TOUCH IT NOT WITH THE TOES OF YOUR FEET. ANYTHING THAT IS SECRET AND MYSTERIOUS IN THESE SYSTEMS OF YOGA SHOULD BE AT ONCE REJECTED. THE BEST GUIDE IN LIFE IS STRENGTH. IN RELIGION, AS IN ALL OTHER MATTERS, DISCARD EVERYTHING THAT WEAKENS YOU, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. ARE GREAT THINGS EVER DONE SMOOTHLY? TIME, PATIENCE, AND INDOMITABLE WILL MUST SHOW. ARE YOU UNSELFISH? THAT IS THE QUESTION. IF YOU ARE, YOU WILL BE PERFECT WITHOUT READING A SINGLE RELIGIOUS BOOK, WITHOUT GOING INTO A SINGLE CHURCH OR TEMPLE.

AS BODY, MIND, OR SOUL, YOU ARE A DREAM; YOU REALLY ARE BEING, CONSCIOUSNESS, BLISS (SATCHIDANANDA). YOU ARE THE GOD OF THIS UNIVERSE. AS LONG AS WE BELIEVE OURSELVES TO BE EVEN THE LEAST DIFFERENT FROM GOD, FEAR REMAINS WITH US; BUT WHEN WE KNOW OURSELVES TO BE THE ONE, FEAR GOES; OF WHAT CAN WE BE AFRAID? AS SOON AS I THINK THAT I AM A LITTLE BODY, AS SOON AS YOU KNOW THE VOICE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS, THE WHOLE SCENE CHANGES. THE SAME WORLD WHICH WAS THE GHASTLY BATTLEFIELD OF MAYA IS NOW CHANGED INTO SOMETHING GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL.

ASTROLOGY AND ALL THESE MYSTICAL THINGS ARE GENERALLY SIGNS OF A WEAK MIND; THEREFORE, AS SOON AS THEY ARE BECOMING PROMINENT IN OUR MINDS, WE SHOULD SEE A PHYSICIAN, TAKE GOOD FOOD, AND REST. AVOID EXCESSIVE MERRIMENT. A MIND IN THAT STATE NEVER BECOMES CALM; IT BECOMES FICKLE. EXCESSIVE MERRIMENT WILL ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED BY SORROW. TEARS AND LAUGHTER ARE NEAR KIN. PEOPLE SO OFTEN RUN FROM ONE EXTREME TO THE OTHER. BE A HERO. ALWAYS SAY, “I HAVE NO FEAR.” TELL THIS TO EVERYONE“HAVE NO FEAR.” BE BRAVE! BE STRONG! BE FEARLESS! ONCE YOU HAVE TAKEN UP THE SPIRITUAL LIFE, FIGHT AS LONG AS THERE IS ANY LIFE IN YOU.

EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE KILLED, FIGHT TILL YOU “ARE KILLED.” DON’T DIE OF FRIGHT. DIE FIGHTING. DON’T GO DOWN TILL YOU ARE KNOCKED DOWN. BE NOT AFRAID, FOR ALL GREAT POWER THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF HUMANITY HAS BEEN WITH THE PEOPLE. FROM OUT OF THEIR RANKS HAVE COME ALL THE GREATEST GENIUSES OF THE WORLD, AND HISTORY CAN ONLY REPEAT ITSELF. BE NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING. YOU WILL DO MARVELOUS WORK. BE PERFECTLY RESIGNED, PERFECTLY UNCONCERNED; THEN ALONE CAN YOU DO ANY TRUE WORK. NO EYES CAN SEE THE REAL FORCES; WE CAN ONLY SEE THE RESULTS. PUT OUT SELF, FORGET IT; JUST LET GOD WORK, IT IS HIS BUSINESS. BE STRONG! YOU TALK OF GHOSTS AND DEVILS. WE ARE THE LIVING DEVILS. THE SIGN OF LIFE IS STRENGTH AND GROWTH.

“NONE BUT THE BRAVE DESERVES THE FAIR." NONE BUT THE BRAVEST DESERVES SALVATION. BE STRONG! THE SIGN OF LIFE IS STRENGTH AND GROWTH. THE SIGN OF DEATH IS WEAKNESS. WHATEVER IS WEAK, AVOID! IT IS DEATH. IF IT IS STRENGTH, GO DOWN INTO HELL AND GET HOLD OF IT! THERE IS SALVATION ONLY FOR THE BRAVE. BLESS PEOPLE WHEN THE REVILE YOU. THINK HOW MUCH GOOD THEY ARE DOING BY HELPING TO STAMP OUT THE FALSE EGO. HOLD FAST TO THE ATMAN, THINK ONLY PURE THOUGHTS, AND YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN A REGIMENT OF MERE PREACHERS. BLESS PEOPLE WHEN THEY REVILE YOU. THINK HOW MUCH GOOD THEY ARE DOING BY HELPING TO STAMP OUT THE FALSE EGO. OUT OF PURITY AND SILENCE COMES THE WORD OF POWER.

BLOWS ARE WHAT AWAKEN US AND HELP TO BREAK THE DREAM. THEY SHOW US THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THIS WORLD AND MAKE US LONG TO ESCAPE, TO HAVE FREEDOM. BOOKS ARE INFINITE IN NUMBER AND TIME IS SHORT. THE SECRET OF KNOWLEDGE IS TO TAKE WHAT IS ESSENTIAL. TAKE THAT AND TRY TO LIVE UP TO IT. BRAVE, BOLD MEN AND WOMEN, THESE ARE WHAT WE WANT. WHAT WE WANT IS VIGOR IN THE BLOOD, STRENGTH IN THE NERVES, IRON MUSCLES AND NERVES OF STEEL, NOT SOFTENING NAMBY-PAMBY IDEAS. ALL THROUGH EVOLUTION YOU FIND THAT THE CONQUEST OF NATURE COMES BY CHANGE IN THE SUBJECT.

APPLY THIS TO RELIGION AND MORALITY, AND YOU WILL FIND THAT THE CONQUEST OF EVIL COMES BY THE CHANGE IN THE SUBJECTIVE ALONE. THAT IS HOW THE ADVAITIC SYSTEM GETS ITS WHOLE FORCE, ON THE SUBJECTIVE SIDE OF MAN. CHANGE IS ALWAYS SUBJECTIVE. TO TALK OF EVIL AND MISERY IS NONSENSE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT EXIST OUTSIDE. COME OUT INTO THE BROAD LIGHT OF DAY, COME OUT FROM THE LITTLE NARROW PATHS, FOR HOW CAN THE INFINITE SOUL REST CONTENT TO LIVE AND DIE IN SMALL RUTS? COME OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE OF LIGHT. EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS YOURS, STRETCH OUT YOUR ARMS AND EMBRACE IT WITH LOVE.

DELUSION WILL VANISH AS THE LIGHT BECOMES MORE AND MORE EFFULGENT, LOAD AFTER LOAD OF IGNORANCE WILL VANISH, AND THEN WILL COME A TIME WHEN ALL ELSE HAS DISAPPEARED AND THE SUN ALONE SHINES. DESIRES MUST BRING MISERY. THE GREAT SECRET OF TRUE SUCCESS, OF TRUE HAPPINESS, IS THIS: THE PERSON WHO ASKS FOR NO RETURN, THE PERFECTLY UNSELFISH PERSON, IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL. DESPONDENCY IS NOT RELIGION, WHATEVER ELSE IT MAY BE. DISCRIMINATE WITHIN YOURSELF BETWEEN THE REAL AND THE UNREAL. EVEN WHEN YOU SLEEP, KEEP THE SWORD OF DISCRIMINATION AT THE HEAD OF YOUR BED, SO THAT COVETOUSNESS CANNOT APPROACH YOU EVEN IN DREAM.