Money and Worldly Duties

M: "Sir, may I make an effort to earn more money?" 

MASTER: "It is permissible to do so to maintain a religious family. You may try to increase your income, but in an honest way. The goal of life is not the earning of money, but the service of God. Money is not harmful if it is devoted to the service of God." 

M: "How long should a man feel obliged to do his duty toward his wife and children?" 

MASTER: "As long as they feel pinched for food and clothing. But one need not take the responsibility of a son when he is able to support himself. When the young fledgling learns to pick its own food, its mother pecks it if it comes to her for food." 

M: "How long must one do one's duty?" 

MASTER: "The blossom drops off when the fruit appears.  One doesn't have to do one's duty after the attainment of God, nor does one feel like doing it then. 
"If a drunkard takes too much liquor he cannot retain consciousness. If he takes only two or three glasses, he can go on with his work. As you advance nearer and nearer to God, He will reduce your activities little by little. Have no fear.   
"Finish the few duties you have at hand, and then you will have peace. When the mistress of the house goes to bathe after finishing her cooking and other household duties she won't come back, however you may shout after her." 

- Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 114 
                    (August 24, 1882)

Drawing-room of God

Spiritual Disciplines

MASTER: "A little spiritual discipline is necessary in order to know what lies within." 

M: "Is it necessary to practice discipline all through life?" 

MASTER: "No. But one must be up and doing in the beginning. After that one need not work hard. 
The helmsman stands up and clutches the rudder firmly as long as the boat is passing through waves, storms, high wind, or around the curves of a river; but he relaxes after steering through them. As soon as the boat passes the curves and the helmsman feels a favorable wind, he sits comfortably and just touches the rudder. Next he prepares to unfurl the sail and gets ready for a smoke. 
Likewise, the aspirant enjoys peace and calm after passing the waves and storms of 'woman and gold'.” 

- Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 112 
                    (August 24, 1882)

Bhakti – Essence of Spiritual Discipline

Many Names of One God

You may say that there are many errors and superstitions in another religion. I should reply: Suppose there are. Every religion has errors. Everyone thinks that his watch alone gives the correct time. 
It is enough to have yearning for God. It is enough to love Him and feel attracted to Him: Don't you know that God is the Inner Guide? He sees the longing of our heart and the yearning of our soul. 

Suppose a man has several sons. The older boys address him distinctly as 'Baba' or 'Papa', but the babies can at best call him 'Ba' or 'Pa'. Now, will the father be angry with those who address him in this indistinct way? The father knows that they too are calling him, only they cannot pronounce his name well. All children are the same to the father. 
Likewise, the devotees call on God alone, though by different names. They call on one Person only. God is one, but His names are many. 

                        - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 112 

                            (August 13, 1882) 

All Religions are True

Parable of the Wood-Cutter

"Go forward. A wood-cutter once entered a forest to gather wood. A brahmachari said to him, 'Go forward.' 
He obeyed the injunction and discovered some sandal-wood trees. After a few days he reflected, 'The holy man asked me to go forward. He didn't tell me to stop here.' 
So he went forward and found a silver-mine. After a few days he went still farther and discovered a gold-mine, and next, mines of diamonds and precious stones. With these he became immensely rich." 

"Through selfless work, love of God grows in the heart. Then, through His grace one realizes Him in course of time. God can be seen. One can talk to him as I am talking to you."

In silent wonder they all sat listening to the Master's words. It seemed to them that the Goddess of Wisdom Herself, seated on Sri Ramakrishna's tongue was addressing these words not merely to Vidyasagar, but to all humanity for its good. 

                        - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 109 

                            (August 5, 1882)