Quotes from Śrī Ramakrishna.
We can learn much through the conversations recorded between Gurus and their disciples. In this post, we reflect on advice given by Śrī Ramakrishna to his disciple known as M.
M is the author of the Gospel of Śrī Ramakrishna, the most important text on the life and teachings of this unique saint. M recorded many of his meetings with Ramakrishna. This report comes from his second visit.
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Śrī Ramakrishna’s Audience
All visitors approach a saint with their own concerns and desires. Everyone wants something. Ideally, we seek the company of saints for spiritual blessings.
People came from all walks of life to learn from Ramakrishna. For example, some were young and unmarried, carrying few responsibilities. Others were householders, with wives, families, and jobs. Some visitors were religious scholars working at universities. Wealthy and famous people were also among Ramakrishna’s devotees.
On Daily Practice
“The mind cannot dwell on God if it is immersed day and night in worldly duties and responsibilities. It is most necessary to go into solitude now and then and think of God.”
Some people begin their spiritual quest when they are young and free from worldly burdens. They may go into lengthy seclusion for spiritual practices.
For most of us, however, solitude means daily meditation practice. Householders must adjust their routines to include spiritual practices. Yoga masters never approve of those who shirk duty in the name of spiritual quest.
On Vigilance
“To fix the mind on God is very difficult, in the beginning, unless one practices meditation in solitude. When a tree is young it should be fenced all around; otherwise it may be destroyed by cattle.”
Most of us lack the experience of cattle stampeding our gardens. But we know what it means to protect a young tree (or child or pet) until it can fend for itself.
As spiritual seekers we are that young tree. We must diligently protect our spiritual welfare. Ramakrishna tells us why.
On the Dangers of Worldliness
“If you enter the world without first cultivating love for God, you will be entangled more and more. You will be overwhelmed with its danger, its grief, its sorrows. And the more you think of worldly things, the more you will be attached to them.”
The warning is clear. Without meditation, we’re prone to getting caught up in life’s dramas. We forget our peaceful, inner nature, and we suffer. The cure is so simple! Make meditation your highest priority every day.
How Meditation Works
Meditation makes us strong and wise. It gives us the clarity to avoid situations that cause suffering. Here, Ramakrishna illustrates the effects of a regular practice:
“One must go into solitude to attain divine love. To get butter from milk you must let it set into curd in a secluded spot; if it is too much disturbed, milk won’t turn into curd. Next, you must put aside all other duties, sit in a quiet spot, and churn the curd. Only then do you get butter.
The world is water and the mind milk. If you pour milk into water they become one; you cannot find the pure milk any more. But turn the milk into curd and churn it into butter. Then, when that butter is placed in water, it will float. So, practice spiritual discipline in solitude. Obtain the butter of knowledge and love. Even if you keep that butter in the water of the world the two will not mix. The butter will float.”
Take a moment now to think about how you can apply Ramakrishna’s advice in your life. Imagine that you’re a young tree, growing on the spiritual path. You need protection and nurturing. How can you provide more of that—starting now?
Chityānanda has been a disciple of Svāmī Gurupremānanda Sarasvatī since 1975. She teaches meditation and yoga as a spiritual path in Santa Cruz, California.
Re: think about how you can apply Ramakrishna’s advice in your life.
I can: turn the tv. off, leave my cell phone off sometimes, resist listening to people’s problems and dramas, meditate and clear my mind. We can be in solitude even in a market place or jazz club, just takes practice.
Thank you for your comment, Modesto. Practice seems to be the key to success in everything, doesn’t it? Namaste.
Dear Svāmi Chityānanda, Ramakrishna was so right when he said that it was very difficult to fix the mind on God in the beginning, because honestly, it is difficult to fix the mind on any new thing in the beginning. This is why I think the mind must first be entirely convinced that true peace is a real option. It learns this by returning again, and again to God until it becomes convinced that God will never go away, and that His peace is everlasting. Thank you for the opportunity to ponder in this way, it helps my mind a lot.
Thank you for your comment, Mary. Until we become truly established in our practice, it’s difficult to fix the mind. There are so many distractions, so many competing influences. I like what you said about having the mind “entirely convinced.” This is true for anything that we value. And we have control of this by (again, as you said) “by returning again and again.” Very good pondering! Namaste.
Sharing little bits of wisdom:
From Baba: Practice pulling away, whether in a crowded place or in solitude, making your mind one pointed and see how quickly you can be drawn into meditation.
Ramakrishna: He would circle his room with pictures of saints, some represented a quality, like Narada and love.He would wave incence around their frames and recite the thousand names of Brahma.This was his nightly practice. (Swami Muktananda)
Gurupremananda: Set up a table with a picture of the saint you are following, at the center of our ashram their is a saint and his teachings. (Svami Gurupremananda)
Practice following instructions, those who were sent to the market follow instructions. Saints demand cleanliness and things should be put back in the same place. (Sri Ramakrishna)
Thank you for sharing, Tony. Namaste.
When one churns the milk of ones mind into butter through meditation on God, one frees ones mind from the watery illusions of the world.
Poetic wisdom. Thank you, Tosh. Namaste.
When I do my daily meditation practice I feel grateful and pleased that I can spend some quite time immersed in silence time with God. I also feel tremendously grateful that I can spend time with my Guru every week.
Thank you, Nakisa. Meditation has a wonderful ability to recharge us, and gratitude is always the best attitude. Namaste.
Thank God that I found my Guru when I was 33 — because, I HAD done just what is not recommended: entering the world without first the knowledge of God; and, I suffered. Now, I LOVE butter!
Svami, I like the way you wrote this passage: “Meditation makes us strong and wise. It gives us the clarity to avoid situations that cause suffering.” I never would have thought to write the purpose of meditation so simply and clearly. Nice!
Thank you for your feedback, Richard. It’s one of my main goals in writing for Quiet Karma: to make yoga simple and clear. We tend to make things so complicated these days. Yoga doesn’t need to be. It’s as simple as: meditate and be happy. Namaste.