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Ramakrishna Quotations
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| Paramhansa Ramakrishna (1836-86) |
Supporting "well medleys" are presupposed
throughout:Ramakrishna Quotations and Half-Quotations
|
The arrays below consist of selected and arranged quotations and half-quotations
from the book Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna [Tos]. The em dash
[—] between phrases or sentences shows where quotations from different places are
joined, and the page references show where to find the various phrases and passages, in
case you want to look up to get a more extensive overview. Moreover, it is made very clear in the book and others that Sri Ramakrishna is humourous and entertaining. |
A Swan Can Dive Where Water Is Found
What is bad for the swan can't be easily changed, and we should adjust on top of
that—So if the ocean of life that send its streams of milk and life into us, cares to
tell it is very much so, it is so to all appearances too.A swan can dive and sees not a little both in muddy water and in clear water as is dives. And you should also know what a pearl is like and where it is found, in order to lay hand on it.
Can birds fly?
Swans can fly high and fast, and they can dive . . . much like geese. "He who
would search for pearls must dive below," wrote John Dryden (1631-1700) in "All for Love.
Prologue." Jesus had another recipe; of digging in the ground - and then trying to make
the best out of unexpected gains. At any rate, up north we don't think it is much fruitful
it is to search for pearls where there are no oysters and shells, no loots hidden, no
well-dressed persons, and so on.If we bear in mind that words are like shells and it is their central, inner meanings that may assist us, much progress can be made in time, if we think well and next start to make use of the best findings, and get shelter from plots.
When you are
merged in Samadhi (yoga union), listen to the heart; it is atop; and guard against
temptations
BY PHILOSOPHICAL discussions unity is dispersed [among old and cunning ones alike - it
tends to happen] [cf Tos 6-7].Q. What is the mark of a man who has become perfect (Siddha)? A. He becomes softer—Get a soft bed [see Tos 53-54, Tos 9 ha].
Jivatman [individual soul] and Paratman [Supreme Soul] are in essence one and the same—Just think of a shoreless expanse of water—The big aperture . . . into the ocean of life [Tos 16-17, cf 5, 47].
The emancipated soul lives in the world but does not mix with it—There is no distinction—Q. Do you have, sir, the slightest idea of the ego when you are merged in Samadhi? A. Yes . . [Tos 56, 4, 29]
A pair of English boots inflates even a languid man whith the delight of vanity—he immeditately begins to whistle—When we talk with a worldly man, we see his heart is worldly-minded. [Tos 20, 79].
Go for handsome vairagya, non-attachment—Solitude is the best remedy [cf. Tos 95; 98].
There are three different classes of doctors. The first sort looks at the patient, prescribes the medicine and leaves. The second cares to tell him of his case, reasons with him and asks him to take his medicine. The third and highest class uses force with the patient where much explaining fails—he puts his knee on the chest of the patient and forces the medicine down his throat.—"Belong to the highest class," says Ramakrishna, and presents giving religious instructions too by this simile. [Tos 59-60].
A thief runs away when found out—Be fixed always on God [Tos 14, 91].
God indeed is in all things—A man met an elephant along the road. Its driver shouted, "Move away!" The man did not do it. The elephant took him up with his trunk and dashed him aside. The man was severely hurt. His guru told him: "God was also in the form of the elephant-driver. Why did you not listen to the God on top?" [Tos 44, cf 37 (much shortened)]. ¤
Become free!—A god should never be visited empty-handed [cf. Tos 104; 105].
Egotism is in the heart [Tos 19 tja].
He is beyond and above the phenomenal universe [With Tos 8].
Be in the world and never go astray—guard against temptation [see Tos 90].
Keep a little ego to enjoy—Rasa means literally sweet juice [Tos 29, cf 67].
Go for Viveka, i.e., discrimination of the Real from the unreal [cf. Tos 95].
Know how to save yourself from being . . . handled by your enemies—(Resist) evil for purposes of self-defence [Tos 102, 99].
God-men . . . act and behave to all appearances as common men [Tos 50].
[Find] the all-pervading supreme friend . . . [see Tos 44-45].
I do not advise you to go through the eminent hardships of henpecked husbands. [see Tos 87].
The milk . . . streams to us from God [Tos 44].
So does God see everyone [Tos 11].
And some
things are much bad for the swan of highest intelligence too
SAY NOT there is no God—God plays invisibly in the heart of man—A marionette
dances well [Tos 3, 11, 24].Brahman's [God's] abode is Intelligence. He is All Intelligence [Tos 3].
Make no friends and speak to no one—Lost in the enjoyment the parrot repeats [Tos 15 (aborted), oh 83].
He who has tasted the snow can say what it is like [cf Tos 65 ].
Catch fish [Tos 92].
The heart of the wicked cannot be easily changed [Tos 82].
The water wets not a lotus leaf [Tos 97].
Take the pearl and throw the oyster-shell away [unless it looks nice] [Tos 62].
Brahman [God] becomes "polluted" through description, for he is beyond it—Like the onlookers at a game of chess—The dyspeptic knows only too well that some things are bad for him [Tos 3, 57, 27]. ¤
Know the depths of the ocean—the Lord of the universe—Form melts away into the formless [Tos 17, 5].
Self-defence . . . is one of the Dharmas [duties, rightful things to do] for a householder—Think to yourself [Tos 102, 103].
After spending the greater part of your life in the world, make sure to dig out the gold [selfness] you're entitled to [cf Tos 88-89].
Worldly souls are sure to remain as that, in spite of all your lectures—Worldly men remain as before when Divine grace descends [see Tos 82 and 85].
Go for intense attachment to God first, before cares and informity take over [cf. Tos 95].
The man who has got a carbuncle on his backs talks with . . . his mind on . . . the pain
he bears [Tos 92].
If terribly
pleased to appear haughty, selfish, and worldly-minded, the danger is of not returning to
one's heart, and that is much bad
CARRYING a heavy burden - could it be newly forming gold of selfhood? [cf Tos 88 to
think].At one time I am clothed, at another naked; so Brahman [God] is at one time with attributes and at another without [Tos 4].
Do whatever you like after making the knowledge of Oneness your own—Follow implicitly—A nail cannot [easily] be driven into a stone while it pierces deep into the heart of a believer [Tos 38, 56, With Tos 81 (hum)].
Some may cook—He acts just as He pleases [Tos 8, 7].
Leave at once the presence of any who censures your guru [cf Tos 62].
As a married man . . . have strength to live a life of spirituality [Tos 99].
The Paramahansa accepts only what is Real [Tos 55].
The Jiva is made haughty by egotism [cf Tos 21].
Divinity is manifest more in man than in any other object—Being far too
worldly-minded suggests becoming nervous, and nervous people in turn find it too much even
to sit still [Tos 44, cf 79]. ¤
Avidya-Maya consists of lust, anger, avarice, inordinate attachment, pride, and envy. This kind of Maya gives rise to the sense of "I and mine" . . . So long as man has a body, me must have some Maya . . . to carry on the functions of the body—Men living in the world should always be on their guard - also against greed, at least [Tos 13, cf 92].
Water becomes congealed into ice [Tos 45].
Q. How do the emancipated live in the world?
A. . . . they may be compared to dry
leaves blown about here and there by the strong wind [Tos 55].
Realize God in the temple of your heart [Tos 72].
Some go into Samadhi and don't return [cf Tos 51].
The self of the grown-up man . . . can do no harm to any [Tos 35 heh].
Sweetness and all blessedness — floods the world [Tos 49 twist]. (7)
Gist
- When you are merged in Samadhi (yoga union), listen to the heart; it is atop; and guard against temptations
- Some things are much bad for the swan (Skt. hamsa) of highest intelligence too.
- The one who is terribly pleased to appear haughty, selfish, and worldly-minded, is in future danger of not returning to his or her own heart.
In and after unions, guarding against tempations is twice as important. It is
very bad for "the swan (state)" inside, not being able to alight into one's heart for a
while. Contemplation helps that.
Listening (tuning in) to the heart of Sidney Smith
The British clergyman and author Sydney Smith once received a basket of
strawberries from one of his parishioners, and wrote in reply,"What is real piety? What is true attachment to the Church? How are these fine feelings best evinced? The answer is plain: by sending strawberries to a clergyman. Many thanks."
