Being devoted

Ramakrishna:

It will be very good if you can practise unselfish love for God. A man who has such love says: "O Lord, I do not seek salvation, fame, wealth, or cure of disease. None of these do I seek. I want only Thee." Many are the people who come to a rich man with various desires. But if someone comes to him simply out of love, not wanting any favour, then the rich man feels attracted to him.
(p. 284)

Brahmo devotte:

What are the means by which one can see God?

Ramakrishna:

Can you weep for Him with intense longing of heart? Men shed a jugful of tears for the sake of their children, for their wives, or for money. But who weeps for God? So long as the child remains engrossed with its toys, the mother looks after her cooking and other household duties. But when the child no longer relishes the toys, it throws them aside and yells for its mother. Then the mother puts the rice pot down from the hearth, runs in haste, and takes the child in her arms.
(p. 210)

Ramakrishna:

Those who cannot give up attachment to worldly things and who find no means to shake off the feeling of I, should rather cherish the idea, "I am God's servant; I am His devotee." One can also realize God by following the path of devotion.
(p. 155)

The way of love is as good as the way of knowledge... But as long as God keeps the feeling of ego in us, it is easier to follow the path of love.
(p. 156)

Through love one acquires renunciation and discrimination naturally.
(p. 179)

Ramakrishna:

What is the use of making pilgrimages if you can attain love of God remaining where you are? ... Pilgrimage becomes futile if it does not enable you to attain love of God. Love of God is the one essential and necessary thing... There are many people who talk big and who say that they have performed most of the duties enjoined in the scriptures. But with all that their minds are engrossed in worldliness and deeply preoccupied with money, riches, name, fame, creature comforts, and such things.
(p. 308)

Ramakrishna:

I see people who talk about religion constantly quarrelling with one another. Hindus, Mussalmans, Brahmos, Shaktas, Vaishnavas, Shaivas, all quarrel with one another. They haven't the intelligence to understand that He who is called Krishna is also Shiva and the Primal Shakti, and that it is He, again, who is called Jesus and Allah. "There is only one Rama and He has a thousand names." Truth is one; It is only called by different names. All people are seeking the same Truth; the disagreement is due to differences in climate, temperament, and names. Everyone is going toward God. They will all realize Him if they have sincerity and longing of heart.
(p. 300)

God has made different religions and creeds to suit different aspirants.
(p. 316)

If there are errors in other religions, that is none of our business. God, to whom the world belongs, takes care of that.
(p. 336)

©1999 by Deb Platt