VISIT TODAY RAMAKRISHNA II A devotee asked Swami Saradananda, ‘Swami, why do you love us so much?

Sri Ramakrishna

Swami Saradanandaj’s Mahasamadhi. (1927)

1)A devotee asked Swami Saradananda, ‘Swami, why do you love us so much?

Swami Saradananda did not say anything. After a few days when that devotee came to Udbodhan, the Swami said, ‘ A few days ago I went to Belur Math and prostrated before Sri Ramakrishna. The Master appeared before me and said, “You love all because you find me in all.” That is the answer I would give today.’”

page.355, God lived with them

2)To feel that one is a free soul is generally excellent. By always rehashing, 'I am free, I am free', a man verily turns out to be free. Then again, by always rehashing, 'I am bound, I am bound', he unquestionably winds up bound to experience. The trick who says just, 'I am a heathen, I am a delinquent', verily suffocates himself in experience. One should rather say: ‘I have changed the name of God. How can I be a sinner? How can I be bound?’

page.274, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

3)If you start doing some work, it is very likely that you will get attached to it, and so on. But this world of Sri Ramakrishna, Swamiji and Holy Mother is a different matter altogether. Here the work you do is work that will contribute to the mission of ushering in a new era. The world is not exclusively a world of practicing austerities, meditation, Japan, renunciation, and hardship. Here you have to combine selfless service with spiritual practices. If you do something because we, the direct disciples wanted you to do it, there is no question of you getting attached to it. The Lord himself is responsible for such people. They will never get attached.

page.229, Letters for Spiritual Seekers, Letters of Swami Shivananda