GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
drink rice-water, so the intoxication of the worldly-minded people can be cured by the constant hearing of the precepts of a holy Guru. The number of those who attain Divine Wisdom is very limited. So the Git a says: "Among thousands a few only strive for the realization of God, and among thousands of such seekers after Truth a few succeed in reaching the goal." The more a person is attached to the Worldly attachment and realization. world, the less is he likely to attain Divine Wisdom. The less his attach- men is, the he more is the probability of his getting it. Thus, wisdom may be said to vary directly as non-attachment to the world, its pleasures, its riches, and inversely as attach- ment to the world.
There are different stages of spirituality. First, there is the state of being struck speech- Stages of spirituality. less at the thought or realization of the Absolute Brahman, — Existence, Knowledge and Bliss. This is the utmost point as regards love of God that can be reached by ordinary mortals. Second, there is the state of ecstatic love. This is attainable only by a few. They are human beings with extraordinary, original powers and entrusted with a Divine commission. Being heirs of Divine powers and
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