Water and Waves

'I am He', 'I am the Pure Self' - that is the conclusion of the jnanis. But the bhaktas say, 'The whole universe is the glory of God.' 

Who would recognize a wealthy man without his power and riches? But it is quite different when God Himself, gratified by the aspirant's devotion, says to him, 'You are the same as Myself.' Suppose a king is seated in his court, and his cook enters the hall, sits on the throne, and says, 'O King, you and I are the same!' People will certainly call him a madman. But suppose one day the king, pleased with the cook's service, says to him: 'Come, sit beside me. There is nothing wrong in that. There is no difference between you and me.' Then, if the cook sits on the throne with the king, there is no harm in it.  

It is not good for ordinary people to say, 'I am He'. The waves belong to the water. Does the water belong to the waves?  

- Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 248 

                      (15 June 1883)