GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
Ramakrishna: Ecstasy does not come to one who has not realized God. When a fish rises Ecstasy. from deep water, it disturbs the sur- face of the water, and the larger the fish, the greater the disturbance. Therefore, a person in the state of ecstasy sometimes laughs, sometimes weeps, sometimes sings, sometimes dances, but one cannot remain in that state of ecstasy for a long time. Householder devotee: Bhagavan, we have heard that Thou hast seen God. If this be true, please make us see Him also. Ramakrishna: Everything depends upon the will of the Lord. What can man do? One may repeat His Holy Name, but sometimes tears flow and sometimes not. At the time of meditation, one day you may have perfect con- centration and another day you will not be able to fix your mind at all. Work is necessary for Work necesssary for God-vision. God-vision. Once I was passing by a pool, the surface of which was Covered by a thick scum; I saw a poor man pushing the scum to one side to look at the water. This showed me that if you wish to see the water, you must push aside the scum. That act of pushing is like the work which removes all the impurities of the heart. Then
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