Knowledge of Brahman

One day I [Swami Parameswarananda] was cutting vegetables, sitting near the Mother. Finding her alone, I asked: “Mother, how can one attain the knowledge of Brahman? I see various things with my physical eyes. How can I understand through discrimination that everything is Brahman? How can one have this experience of oneness? In the beginning, should one practise focusing on each object [in one's meditation], or does it [meaning the experience of oneness] come spontaneously? I am confused. Again, after studying Swamiji's books, it seems that there cannot be any liberation without the knowledge of Brahman." 

The Mother answered gravely: "It is a difficult path. It takes a long time to reach the goal when practising that path of sadhana. Call on the Master, depend on him, and he will make you know everything. What will you gain by worrying about all those things? You will achieve everything by the Master's grace.” 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P687

Love God

 

On Sri Ramakrishna

 

Nivedita

Sister Nivedita now came in, bowed down to the Holy Mother and took her seat. The Holy Mother enquired after her welfare, and gave her a woolen fan made by herself, saying, "I kept this for you." The Sister was very happy to receive it. She put it on her head, touched it to her heart and said, "How beautiful, how wonderful!" 

She showed it to us and said, "Just see how beautifully it is made!" The Holy Mother said appreciatively, "Do you notice her happiness upon receiving some small present! Ah, what simple faith! As if she were a Goddess! How much devotion she has for Naren! Because he is born in this country, she left her all and has come to do his work with her heart and soul. What a devotion to the Guru! What love for this country!" 

                               - The Gospel of the Holy Mother, P355

Yearning

 

Jayrambati

It was a tedious journey to cover the final distance from Vishnupur to Jayrambati. … … The bullock cart moved slowly over the undulating, unpaved road with a constant jerking motion. … …

Once when Yogin-ma was going to Jayrambati with Saradananda, she remarked: “Look, it is easier to go to Gaya and Varanasi than to come to Jayrambati." Saradananda gravely replied: "Is Jayrambati a less holy place than Gaya and Varanasi?"

Sarala (later Bharatiprana) recalled a journey with Holy Mother to Jayrambati: "When I went to Jayrambati with the Mother, the bullock cart jolted right and left, and sometimes moved backwards. One day I mentioned to Holy Mother, ‘People are going to Varanasi and Vrindaban in such comfort, and how difficult it is to come to your birthplace. She replied: 'This is the way it goes, my child. A pilgrimage is always full of hardship, but the result is the same.' Only two persons could travel in one bullock cart. I sometimes would get down from the cart and walk three-fourths of the way to Jayrambati. Nowadays how easy it is to go to Jayrambati." 

                    - ‘Sri Sarada Devi and Her Divine Play’ by Swami Chetanananda, P522

Real Faith